I know this is a long shot but I’ll give it a go. Older mid 50s Triathlete who is slower in the water but faster on land looking for a swim buddy for a couple early morning swims per week at the Green River Reservoir. It’s a paradise for swimming as it’s clean, big and no motorboats allowed. My old swim buddies have moved on to pickleball or have different life schedules now. Looking at a 6am swim start to get back to my remote office to start work around 8am. I’m a 30 min drive from the Green River res. PM me if you live nearby and interested. I am a 40 min 70.3 swimmer and best IM swim was 1 hr 17 mins. Not fast but not terrible either.
Replying as a matter of esprit de corps – I am in Illinois and cannot join you: I did recently have occasion to swim alone in Lake Michigan and, as a dad with a job, wanted some safety and comfort. I got a swim buoy – quickly in- deflatable, incredibly easy to transport, and with buoyancy as forceful (? I do not know what the physics term would be) as a large beach ball. I got a large “Restube” brand pro size.
Of course I cannot recommend swimming alone :-).
I’d say there’s an outside chance that Charlotte Brynn in Newport knows someone down your way that might be interested in meeting for a swim.
I know Charlotte. She does swim a lot at the Green River Reservoir but not as early as I need it to be. I think most of the swimmers in her circle are retired and swim later in the morning. 6am is early and hard to get interest. I am the only triathlete in my area. When I lived closer to Burlington, VT we swam at a small reservoir where there were many swimmers willing to do a 5:30 or 6am swim start.
ETA: I’ve roped my husband back into swimming with me. He doesn’t like the early mornings but has been joining me. Once he’s swimming he loves it. Even after complaining about waking up so early. He was a college swimmer and swims very well.