I am doing my first full distance at the HITS race in Grand Junction this May. I am looking to get some open water practice in before the event. My sighting needs work and I tend to zig-zag around during the swim. I see the ponds at Chatfield open May 1st for swimming with Colorado Masters. I also see that the scuba beach at Aurora opens April 1st. Has anyone swam at Aurora this early? Are there any other open water options this early in the year?
You can do some drills in the long course pool. Take 8-10 strokes with your eyes closed, then pop up and open your eyes and “sight”, correct you direction and repeat. Best to do in your own lane, not when sharing. The junior triathletes that are preparing to eventually race draft legal, where it’s dog eat dog to the 1st turn buoy, practice in a pool with lane markers removed, with a buoy in it. Not so much sightign skills and fighting skills I think.
Just thought I throw in an alternate. I’d expect lakes to be cold as all hell until about May.
I live next to Aurora rez, not a chance in hell would I swim April 1st. If my memory serves me the average water temp that time of year is high-40s -to- low 50s.
You might see a few hardy drivers out there but no open water swimmers that early.