I’m going to be in Gulf Shores, AL after this coming week. I really want to do some open water swims there, but I don’t know anything about what the water patterns/boat traffic are like. Has anybody done any swims out there, or know if there is a particular location area swimmers head out from?
Thx.
3 words: alligators and sharks. Seriously, find a pool, My father lives near by and there are a lot of less than desirable things in the water. When I visit, I even check the pool for snakes before I start.
Well…I go to a school that houses a swim team that has laid claim to 7 of the last 8 national championships for DII. I need an open water swim so I can get used to modifying my stroke for choppy water conditions and the difference in position with wetsuit. Is there really no clubs that go ocean swimming there?
Swim in the Gulf, parallel to the beach, just outside of the breaking waves, inside of the first sand bar. It’s a little early in the year for the sharks to be close to the beach anyway. Wear a brightly colored swim cap so you’re visible to any wave runners or (less likely if you are close to the beach, boats) and pick up your head if you hear a boat approaching. That’s what I would do, anyway, but if you get munched or crunched I don’t want your wife suing me so I make no guarantees and you swim at your own risk 
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I would not, under any circumstances, swim in the freshwater ponds that you will see just north of the beach as they do contain big alligators.
Well, I’m a single college student. You need not worry about any member of society protesting the loss of a collegiate spring-breaker 
(granted, I roll with an unusually healthy and responsible crowd). I also have a couple people who volunteered to kayak next to me. Unless I can swim with 2 or 3 others, I won’t swim open water without a kayak/canoe near me. I was also going to say, I’m not totally sure you really see alligators in salt water except around Australia. I know they can go into salt water, but I’m don’t think they really hang there for a long period.
Oh, and While I’ll certainly skip open-water swims in Volousia county, FL (and a couple other counties), I’m not about to skip them in a region where there has probably only been 1, perhaps no unprovoked shark attacks in the last 100 years.
If anyone has more information on the area, please let me know.
I honestly have never seen gators around there, I’m sure they are around, but I’ve never seen them. I have however seen many sharks very close to shore in the gulf, and that’s only when the water is clear enough to see. Sometimes it’s crazy how close they come to people without them knowing. About all I can suggest is swimming out past the 1st break and then paralleling the shore line. Don’t swim in the pass, don’t swim in Ole River, don’t swim in the inter coastal waterway.
The water will still be cold as hell this time of year and the weather can vary big time day to day. If this is for your spring break just let loose and relax for a few days.
You should check your facts about shark attacks over the last 100 years in that area. There are at least two people that will argue the point with you.
who said anything about alligators in saltwater??? Gulf State Park has some freshwater ponds. Moreso to the East, Seaside area, there are lots of ponds north of the beach and they have some big alligators in them. (read my post again)
We’ve definitely had some shark problems on the north Gulf Coast in the past few years, including several attacks. I’ve been wade fishing near where you will be and had big sharks swim between me and the beach. I had a friend lose a stringer of trout to a shark who swam right up to him and ate all his fish while he stood there scared to death. Sharks are usually closer to the shore during the summer and you’ll probably be fine.
Oh, sry, I wasn’t really clear. I only intend to swim in the gulf, not in one of the ponds. Since I intend only to swim in the gulf (I’ll see how comfortable I am swimming a mile or two once I see the waters), I am more with sharks than alligators since they are far more likely to be encountered in saltwater.
I really do appreciate your input. I’ll feel it out when I get there. If I decide I’m not comfortable for any reason, I have no problem heading for a jog on the beach in order to enjoy the change of scenery.
Cheers!
There is a group in Fairhope that swims in Mobile Bay off a pier at Magnolia Beach. Fairhope is about 30 minutes North of Gulf Shores. Sometimes they go straight out from the beach but most of the time I’ve seen them swim parallel to the shore. I’ve heard of a group that goes in Weeks Bay but its still to cool for them probably. The advantage about swimming in the bay parallel is you can stand up in neck deep water for a good ways out.
The place to park would be at the pier off Orange Ave and swim between the piers on Pecan Ave and the American Legion Pier around Laurel Ave. The Dept of Health takes a sample of water from that point everyday and updates a sign that tells you water quality for swimming. I’ve only seen it say not safe after a heavy rain.
From the small little beach to the right of the pier you can see a sign straight out. People swim to it and turn around. Be sure to wear a bright colored cap.
I’ll ask my wife if the group will be starting up soon they used to swim about 4:00 in the afternoon. If your interested.
I would LOVE it if you could ask if the group is headed out there.
I’m not particularly phased by the temperature. I was doing fine in Lake Coeur d’Alene last spring when it was 49, and I presume water temps are a couple degrees warmer in the South right about now (I wouldn’t expect them to be any higher than 54 degrees).
Thanks!
A group swims from Camp Beckwith beach/pier on Weeks Bay, just north of Gulf Shores. Sessions have not yet resumed for the season, still cold for us natives, but you could swim there safely any time of year weather permitting. No sharks and no gators, just dolphins and fish. Very little boat traffic. Are you just going to be there for spring break?
Thanks for the input. Is there any particular reason there are no alligators in the Weeks Bay area?
I’ll just be there next Monday until Saturday. It’s my senior year and between debate nationals and Ironman training I have never had a spring break to actually relax and hang out, so I’m headed down there with 11 friends. I absolutely love swimming (my favorite of all 3) so I want to wet any way I can while I’m on break (and I don’t necessarily mean by imbibing).
Just have a look at how the currents are shaping up in Weeks Bay before you get in because once in a blue moon they can get freaky. (Yeah, I did Pelican Point sprint That Year when the currents kicked up and I was 5th fastest woman with something like 11 minutes for 500M)
I’ll ask my wife when they intends to start back. She’s training for the Pensacola Bay swim so I assume she should be getting back in the water soon. I’ d meet you and go with but I’m deployed in Iraq.
I don’t think Alligators mind saltwater or at least brackish. I’ve seen small ones in the bay not often though. I wouldn’t say for sure that none are in Weeks Bay. That’s my turn around point for my bike ride and I’ve been told that over one of the canals on the way to Weeks there is an Alligator living there. I look for him but never have seen him.
I’ll PM you if I get any more information
Thank you so much for your help! I would love to find out if the group is heading back to the water soon.
I would like to offer up a heap of respect and honor I can for you in regard to your tour of duty (probably isn’t much coming from a privalaged kid who has spent the entirety of his independent life in the academic cloister). I’m not too enthused about a lot of politics or economics (not**** the oil stuff, just not too pleased with KBR…), but the commitment of our servicemen is difficult to deny. Plus, it’s hard for me to be upset when a lot of you military guys take good care of us civilians when you are back home. A buddy of mine was getting ready to deploy but was killed in an accident while helping a stranded motorist. An Air Force physician treated my ailing ankle last semester (fit me in on top of an already hefty patient load).
While I’m on break, I’ll try to enjoy the swimming and mild weather for you.