Recently moved to Calgary and was wondering if anyone more familiar with the area knows any good places for OWS… I know there are many private lakes in the communities, but that won’t do since I don’t live in one. I currently swim at Canyon Meadows aquatic center, and don’t think they would be sweet with two dudes in wetsuits all the time… Suggestions?
Nope, unfortunately you most likely need to make friends with someone living in one of the lake communities. I just do my swimming at the pools and my only open water experience comes from races or when I vacation in BC and stay near a lake.
If you like to swim longer distance then 25m Talisman center has 50m lanes
If you can find a friend that lives in a lake community, then you will have access.
If you are brave Ghost lake is an option but a little cold, if you don’t mind the drive quarry lake in Canmore is nice and surprisingly not super cold
Well 25-50m doesnt really matter, can still swim long distance. I mean more for wetsuit swimming. I guess I will just have to make a friend in one of these communities… Do you live in one if these communties and need a friend? Haha… But I guess my brother and I will just make the drives to either Ghost or Quarry. Thanks for the replies. Are either of you doing Chinook?
Sorry I am not in “one” of the communities, my sister is so I get her to take me some times.
I will be at Chinook, I hope the weather smartens up
Ah lucky you! I will probs head to Quarry tmrw then. Yea I think I am going to sign up for the oly, I got GWN HIM in Stony Plain on July 1 and am looking for a tune up. Is the chinook oly well put together?
This is my first year doing the race, I have heard really good things about it otherwise I would have skipped it I did the Oliver Half last weekend so wanted a little more recovery but it should be good.
Is the chinook oly well put together?
I’ve done Chinook Oly 3 times. Mike puts on a great race.
Check out the Chinook Tri web site. I believe that they have some practise times set up for swimming in the lake before the Tri.
I’ve heard that some folks swim the course for the Calgary half starting around now. The Ghost reservoir will be chilly and suggest very strongly that you being a friend but as I say, some are doing it.
I don’t know if Chesterslew (Chestermere) is open to the public or not but there is a Sprint and Oly taking place there in 5 weeks or so.
If you find a buddy for one of the local man made lakes, again, make sure you go out with at least one other person. And preferably someone in a boat. While they don’t allow motorized boats, ther can be lots of other activities including fishing lines.
Thanks for all the great advice! I think my brother and I may head to Ghost tomorrow, since he is not racing chinook and therefore cant do the practice? Correct? Do ya think ghost will be colder than the banff race (two jack) last fall. Because if I managed that, I think I will be alright.
Again, I appreciate the tips. Always hard to sort out new training areas in a new city
With the Calgary Half being 7 weeks away I suspect the Ghost will be pretty chilly. Especially with the lack of warmth we’ve had around here. With temperatures rarely getting out of the teens and with the Ghost fed by glaciers it won’t be very warm. Last year, at race time, there were people that pulled out due to hypothermia. But, if you are used to swimming in colder water, use a full wet suit and a couple of swim caps, you should be able to get by for a bit of a swim. If you’ve got a low body fat percentage you may not want to stay in too long.
Well Ghost lake at this time could be colder then two jack in September or close to it
I suspect that Ghost lake will also have some nice fresh glacial water flowing into it 
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Yea I got a neoprene cap. What about Quarry lake in canmore? Think that would be any better? Body fat is pretty low, dont need hypothermia haha. Just looking for a place to go for a couple swims a month over the summer
Last year I found Quary lake to be warmer, but with the recent rain/snow I think both will be cool
A neoprene cap would be a good idea
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if you’re going to drive an hour to Canmore, I’d suggest tacking on an extra half hour and drive to Sylvan lake - it has to be warmer than either Quarry or Ghost and you can make it a training day when you go.
What about Sikome lake in Fish Creek, Is it open yet?
I think it opens on the 16th. Is Sicome good for training? I thought it was a pretty busy family place…
I used to get there in the early morning and it was fine. You can do 100m? lengths until you get bored and then go for a run. We used to have the trainers set up at the bottom of the hill and do run / bike bricks, nasty.
if you’re going to drive an hour to Canmore, I’d suggest tacking on an extra half hour and drive to Sylvan lake - it has to be warmer than either Quarry or Ghost and you can make it a training day when you go.
I’d go with Sylvan as well. Quarry is small and cold.
What about Sikome lake in Fish Creek, Is it open yet?
Mid-June to September long weekend, daily 10:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
I have never used Sikome Lake but is looks really small, and isn’t the water just filthy?