Open water swimming near columbia, MD

Triathlon Forum
1

Hi, my friend is coming into town and needs to practice for a sprint tri and needs to find a place for an open water swim practice. Any suggestions. Unbelievably, I’ve lived here for a year, but haven’t really practiced my open water swims in a while so I haven’t found a good place myself either.

any input would be greatly appreciated,
berndog

2

About the only place I know that will let you do that in the area is the Hammerman section of the Gunpowder State Park. You could try Centennial Lake (Home of the Columbia Tri), but you run the risk of getting into DEEP do-do with the Howard County Police.

3

That sounds good. I might have to give that a try but it looks a bit far. Anyone else have any ideas also.

thanks,
berndog

4

Sandy Point State Park seems to be the open water swim training ground of choice around the area … but it is still about 30 minutes from Columbia (right before the Bay Bridge).

There are a lot of communities along the water in Annapolis which is only a few minutes closer than Sandy Point. In all those cases you will have to deal with sea nettles (jellyfish). Yummy.

5

Thanks, I’ll look into that one too.

6

It’s limited up here in Frederick, but there is a swimming area at Cunnhingham falls state park. We swim outside of the swimming area sometimes, though you can get in do do up here for that as well. They have a beach area with a roped in swimming area. It is probably 50-100 yds long. Sometimes I will go there and do laps.

7

I just, and I mean JUST came in from the mouth of the gunpowder river directly across from Hammerman. We ususally walk down there at lunch time, I work at the aberdeen proving ground. The bay grasses are VERY thick right now. I suggest going to Sandy point state park instead. Particularly if you are leaving from Columbia.

8

Tridelphia Reservoir? Isn’t that in Howard County?

Lauren

9

If you swim at Sandy Point State Park you may want to call first and make sure the beach is open. It was closed 35 days last July and August due to high bacteria. It’s been better this year but has been closed a few days recently.