Open Water Swimming has something for each swimmer. For the highly competitive swimmer, there is the contest of how fast the swimmer can navigate the course. For the recreational swimmer, it is the time to enjoy the fresh taste of the water, to enjoy the lake or ocean. For the new swimmer it there is a challenge of navigation or knowing where you are on the course and chosing the right course.

In open water swimming there are bouys to let you know where the course is. There are turn bouys to let you know where to turn. And there is the finish line. Sometimes there are cross winds or currents, so you plan your course.

These swims are part of the Open Water Points Competition will be kept up to date so you can check your standing. The Points competition is considered unofficial.

You must be a member of Pacific Masters to participate in these swims. You can register on line, then register for the swim

2010's open water swims

Sunday, April 25, Catfish Crawl East Bay (CCEB), 1 & 2 mile Shadow Cliffs, Pleasanton, (MENO)

Two new swims to kick off the season.  Held in the East Bay. Shadow Cliffs was formerly a gravel quarry.  It was donated to the East Bay Regional Park District by Kaiser Industries.  Water temperature may be a tad chilly, in the mid-60’s. Parking is included in the entry fee.  Register online at www.usaproductions.org 

Sunday, May 2, Open Water 201, Lake Del Valle, Livermore, Sponsored by Pacific Masters Swimming

An open water clinic for experienced OW swimmers.  Must have completed at least 2 OW swims of ½ mile each and be able to swim ½ mile in 30 minutes or less.  Key speaker is Lisa Hazen, an international and local OW champion.  Limited to 50 swimmers.  Dryland talk, in water drills, ½ mile swim.

May 16 Parkside Aquatic Mile (SMMM)

A swim that has grown in size each year.   Water can be chilly but in recent years it has been close to 70 degrees. It depends on the weather the week before. You can have a hot shower at the Joinville pool just down the street. It is free to all swimmers in the event. Get there early if you want to park close. Post event snacks provided.
[Meet sheet] [results]

May 22 Spring Lake 1 mile (RCM) Swimmer

A one mile loop. Water temp is normally in the mid 60’s, but last year, it was closer to 70 degrees. There are some weeds. This swim is always very well run; they will have you out of there by 11:00 am, even if you stay for the awards. Parking is easy. Nice green lawn to sit on. Post event snacks provided.
[ meet sheet ] [ register ][ results ]

June 6 Lake Del Valle .75 & 1.5 miles (TVM)

The 1.5 mile swim is the 2010 USMS National Open Water Championship. USMS Long Distance National championship medals will be given for 1st through 6th place in each age/sex division.  Expect a crowd.   If you’re new to open water swimming, try the ¾ mile swim. It’s run first.  For a good workout, do both. Nice venue, plenty of parking. A good place to bring your kids: they have a swimming area that is roped off. Post event snacks provided.
[meet sheet] [register][results]

June 12 Lake BerryessaLake Berryessa 1 & 2 mile (DAM)

One of the biggest swims of the year. This season, Lake Berryessa has been chosen to be part of a new USMS open water series, USMS H2Open.  A very popular swim that brings in the crowds.  Water temp is comfortable. Plenty of parking and a shuttle runs frequently to haul you and your stuff from the parking lots. Bring a chair because the grass is full of foxtails and there are only a few picnic tables to sit at. You can pre-order a lunch…or bring your own food.
[meet sheet] [register][results]

 

June 20 Millerton Lake 1-mile

Held at Millerton Lake, 15 miles northeast of Fresno.  The swim is the day after a long course meet in Clovis.  Millerton Lake was created by construction of the Friant Dam across the San Joaquin River in 1944. For history buffs, the original Millerton County Courthouse, built in 1867 is at the swim site. A little more historical lore -- the lake now covers Camp Barbour, a military encampment from the 1850’s.
[meet sheet] [results]

 

June 27, Lake Sonoma 2 mile (RCM)

A fun swim.  There’s a long and windy road to get there.  The location feels like it is the middle of nowhere.  Plenty of parking. Always a well run event.
[meet sheet] [register][results]

July 17 Trans-Tahoe Relay (TOC)
Entries closed

Here’s your chance to convince 5 of your fastest teammates that they need to spend a weekend with you at beautiful Lake TahoTrans Tahoe Relaye.  The TransTahoe Relay is a testament to your organizational skills if you can get yourself and your teammates and your boat over to the Nevada side of the lake before the 7:30 am start. And it’s not just you…there will be 100 other teams pulling off this miracle along with you. Bring your warm stuff. The water will be in the low 60’s (give or take 5 or so degrees).  Last year, this swim filled up very early.
[meet sheet] [register][results]

Saturday, July 24, Russian River. 1 mile, 500 yards. (RCM)

Lots of water this year. A good swim for new open water swimmers. If you get nervous, it is shallow enough near the edge of the course to stand up. A fun addition will be the 500 yard swimR. egister online - www.lifeguardsforlife.org
[meet sheet] [register][results]

Sunday, July 25, Open Water 101, Shadow Cliffs, Pleasanton (PMS)

An open water clinic for novices. Want to swim open water, but not sure what to do? Concerned about cold water, crowded starts, open water “culture”?
This Open Water 101 is a way to get started. Taught by local/national/international open water swimmers.  Dryland talk by Suzanne Heim-Bowen. In water drills, optional course swim.   Limited to 50 swimmers.  Last year this clinic sold out.
[meet sheet] [register]

Sunday, July 25, Catfish Crawl, 1 & 2 mile, South Bay, UVAS Reservoir, Morgan Hill (MENO)

New on the Pacific Masters OW schedule.  These two popular swims attract triathletes and swimmers alike. [meet sheet] [register] [results]

July 31 36th Annual Roughwater Swim 1 mile (CRUZ), PMS Open Water Championship

Ocean swim around the Santa Cruz pier. The water is usually about 62-64 degrees, a little chilly, especially if it is foggy. A fun and very popular swim even if you’re numb. It is one of the bigger events and is started in two waves: under 40 years old and 40 years old and over. Bring lots of quarters for the street parking meters ($1.00/hour). Or walk a long way. You may want to bring a chair if you don’t like sitting on a sandy beach. No post event food, but there are plenty of restaurants right there.
[ meet sheet ] [ register ][ results ]

August 1 Cruz Cruise 2 miles (CRUZ)

NOT a novice swim. This event is small and very low key. Loved by the true open water swimmers. It starts at 8:30 am and is usually foggy. The watSanta Cruzer will be around 60 degrees…maybe 62 if it’s an El Nino year. To stay warm: wear a thermal cap and ear plugs and don’t stop to look around while you are out there. Keep moving! Parking meters are not checked until 10AM so if you swim fast you can park for free. Warm beverages and snacks at the finish.
[ meet sheet ] [ register ][ results ]

 

August 7 Donner Lake 2.7 miles (SNM)

The longest swim of the season. The start is at the east end of the lake and the finish is at the west end.If you drive along the shore of the lake you will marvel at how far you will swim. In the past, the swim is limited to 350 swimmers. ;So, enter early. BBQ chicken lunch included in your entry fee and there are post event snacks to stave off hunger before lunch. Free shuttle buses run between the start and the finish.Swimmers are given a plastic bag at the start to hold their sweats. It will be transported to the finish for you.
[ meet sheet ] [ register ][ results ]

August 22 Donner Lake Hot August Chill, ½ mile, 1 mile (TTST)

A new swim last year, it was well worth the drive to Donner Lake.  If you’re new to open water swimming, there is a 500 yard sprint or a ½ mile swim. Last year, the 500 had a rather feisty start, but you can always place yourself to the side of the crowd.  You can enter the 500 yd,  ½ mile swim, the 1 mile or all three.  However, only 2 swims will count towards OW points.  You can’t beat the scenery and the distances.
[ meet sheet ] [ register ][ results ]

September 12 Whiskeytown Lake 1 & 2 mile (RAD) Pacific Masters Open Water Championships

This year, the two mile swim has been designated the Pacific Masters Swimming Open Water Championship.  Whiskeytown Lake is just outside Redding so plan to drive up the day before. This is a beautiful lake. There’s a nice shady picnic area and beach so bring the family. This event is in the early fall and the weather can be either chilly or hot. The lake is a bit cooler than Berryessa (think mid to high 60’s). If you plan to do both the 1- and 2-mile events, be prepared to feel a little cold at the start of the 2-mile. Post event snacks.
[ meet ] [ register ][ results ]

September 25, Lake Natoma Cold Water Challenge, 1 mile, 5 KM (SMST)

New distance for this year! Sierra Marlins is hosting a 5K and 1 mile swim. The swims will be held in Folsom Lake at Beals Point. The water will be in the 70's if not 80's. Every pre-entry receives a tee shirt. Check http://www.sierramarlins.net/Home.jsp?team=smst for more information.
[meet sheet] [register] [results]