So you signed up for the Peaks to Portland or the Tri for a Cure (way to get in!) or maybe you’re eyeing the Rev3, the Mainiac Sprint Tri or another event that requires you to swim in open water.
Go you!
Except now you can’t stop thinking about that open water.
Sure, it’s nice to gaze out on that seemingly bottomless expanse of ocean (or lake, as the case may be) when your feet are safely stationed on shore. But when you consider actually putting yourself into that water (with nothing but a wetsuit between you and all that aggressive seaweed and those large-toothed ocean monsters waiting to chomp at your extremities), that changes things. I mean, what if you sink? What if you can’t make it? What if a pod of seals confuses you for one of their own and makes away with you out into distant waters?!
If your thought process is anything like mine, it has a tendency to veer off into extremes.
Truth is, open water swimming is splendid, whether you’re going for an informal dip or a harbor crossing. (And I promise that the seaweed and sea critters are not planning an attack and the combined buoyancy of your wetsuit and the salt water make sinking highly unlikely. Abduction by seal is also rare.)
Training certainly makes a big difference, and this spring, sheJAMs and southern Maine YMCAs are offering training groups to help you get comfortable swimming in open water. They all start in the pool, where you’ll work on swim technique and increasing your stamina, then move to open water in late May and June. You’ll get pointers from coaches and the camaraderie of other swimmers.
YMCA Peaks to Portland Training
Where: Northern York County YMCA, Casco Bay Regional YMCA and Greater Portland YMCA
$102 YMCA members, $204 non-members
FMI and to register: www.ymcaofsouthernmaine.org
YMCA description: “This class is for first time participants and is designed to help show you how to prepare slowly and then add the yardage. As the months go by this class will continue and in June start working outside in the ocean.”
While geared toward Peaks to Portland swimmers, what you learn can be applied to any open water swim. Session 1 just started, and you can still join. Or wait for next session, which begins April 11 and runs to May 23.
Northern York County YMCA
Pool swim: Mondays: 6:50-7:40 a.m. and Tuesdays: 6-7 a.m. Feb. 22 to April 5
Open water dates/times: Session 2 begins April 11 and runs to May 23. Times and registration not yet listed.
Greater Portland YMCA
Pool swim: Tues, Thurs 5-6 p.m Feb. 29 to April 16.
Open water dates/times: Session 2 begins April 11 and runs to May 23. Times and registration not yet listed.
Greater Portland YMCA
Pool swim: Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30-11:30 a.m. Feb. 29 to April 16.
Open water dates/times: Session 2 begins April 11 and runs to May 23. Times and registration not yet listed.
Casco Bay Regional YMCA
Pool swim: Wednesdays and Fridays 6-7 a.m. Feb. 29 to April 16. (Note: This session is full.)
Open water dates/times: Session 2 begins April 11 and runs to May 23. Times and registration not yet listed.
sheJAMs Open Water Swim Program
This women-only session will prepare you to swim comfortably in open water so if you are part of a relay, in a triathlon, or want to compete in an open water swim, this class is for you. There are two session locations: Portland-area and Kennebunk-area.
Portland North
Where: Greely High School Pool in Cumberland, moves to Crystal Lake in Gray and then to open water at SMCC in South Portland (the Tri for a Cure course).
Cost: $150 sheJAMs members (sign up as a member to participate)
FMI and to register: shejams.comPool swim: Sundays 4-4:45 p.m. (beginner technique), 4:45 p.m.-5:30 p.m. (intermediate technique), 5:30-6:15 p.m. (advanced) April 24, May 1, 8, 15 and 22. At Greely High School Pool, Cumberland.
Open water swim: 6:30-7:30 p.m.Wednesday, June 1, Monday, June 6, 13, 20 and 2, Wednesday, July 6 , Monday, July 11. At Crystal Lake in Gray, moving to ocean when the water warms up.
Southern Maine session
Where: Starts in University of New England pool in Biddeford, moves to Kennebunk Pond and then to Mothers Beach in Kennebunk
Cost: $150 sheJAMs members $175 non-members
FMI and to register: shejams.com
Pool swim: Mondays 6-7 p.m. April 25, May 2, May 9, May 16, May 23 at University of New England pool in Biddeford for 5 weeks.
Open water swim: Mondays 6-7 p.m. May 30, June 6, 13, 20, Tuesday, July 5 at Kennebunk Pond and Mondays June 27 and July 11 at Mothers Beach, Kennebunk
