Lake Gilman Swims 2014

WHEN:

Tuesdays 6pm - 8pm, from May 27 thru July 29

WHERE:

Lake Gilman, 1401 Ferrell Road, Monroeville, NJ

WHO:

MHWTC, Teen Tri and GLOW members, and Registered Queen of the Hill Racers - ONLY

COST:

$5 per person plus lifeguard tip (suggested $1 - $2)

What Do I Need to Know?

SAFETY 

• We will provide 3-4 Red Cross certified lifeguards who will be in kayaks/canoes or on shore to help ensure your safety during the swims.

• We need to keep count of how many swimmers we have in the water so you need to sign in and get your hand marked with a number before entering the lake and sign out with us before you leave.

• You must know how to swim if you get in the lake. The lake is ~ 7-8 feet deep in the deepest part and you can see the entire � mile course from the bank.  If you have not practiced any or much open water swimming, this is a perfect course to start.  The water is calm and there will be plenty of women to keep you company.  It is normal to be nervous, but you must at least be able to keep yourself afloat and moving in any stroke/style.

PARKING

• Lake Gilman is a private community and has limited public parking. They are opening their private lake to us and we need to be respectful of the residents who live there. Parking is typically an issue and we need your help to manage it. We strongly encourage you to carpool or bike to the lake (a bike/swim/bike brick is a great workout!). There is space for approximately 40 cars in the lot near the lake. We will have volunteers helping to direct you to the parking location.

• Once the lake lot is full, other parking options include the firehall at Elk Road/Ellis Mill Road (where the Tuesday morning QOH rides meet),or Clems Run/Ellis Mill Road (along the side of the road).  Ellis Mill is a busy road so please use caution when biking, walking or running along the road.

OPEN WATER SWIM CLINICS

• We will be hosting open water swim clinics at Lake Gilman once again this year.  Space is limited so be sure to sign up now by clicking on the links below: 

6/10 - Jason Kilderry, ETA Coach

6/17 - Jason Kilderry, ETA Coach

FAQ'S

• What is the water temperature?

The water temperature varies every week, depending on the recent air temperature. Even when the surface water gets warm, the lake has some cool pockets so do not be surprised when you swim through those!

• Can I wear a wetsuit?

It is your choice if you want to wear wetsuit. Most weeks it is not needed.  If you have one and have not practiced swimming in it, this would be a great time! We encourage you to use these swims as practice, not only for sighting and swimming outside of the confines of pool lanes, but also practicing getting in and out of your wetsuit, if you plan to wear one on race day.

• Does the swim ever get cancelled? How will I know?

Outdoor swims are always at risk for cancellation if there is a storm in the area. Your safety is our first priority!  Water quality is also critical and Lake Gilman has historically experienced high quality water testing results.  However, storm runoff and other non-controllable factors can always wreak havoc on lakes.  If a swim needs to be cancelled we will announce it as soon as we know on the Club Facebook Page.

• I am busy on Tuesday nights. Can I stop by the lake and swim another time?

The short answer to that is NO. Lake Gilman is a private lake and we have a strict agreement with them about when we have access to use it.  Our club insurance and the safety protocols we have put in place only protect you and our club if everyone follows the guidelines.  Thank you in advance for helping us.

• Can my husband/boyfriend/brother/etc swim too?

At this time only registered club members (including Teen Tri and GLOW members) and women registered for Queen of the Hill can swim during our Tuesday night sessions.  Our first priority is to give members and registered racers practice time to prepare for Queen of the Hill. We will reevaluate the situation in July and advise if others may join.

• Can I bring my kids?

Unless your kids are members of Teen Tri or GLOW and practicing for a triathlon, no other children are allowed at the lake. Our club and the Lake Gilman Board have agreed that it is a safety issue with the water and amount of traffic in and out of the lake. However, babysitting will be available just a short distance from the lake at William Wilt complex. Please contact Kathy Kehnast via text/call at 856.625.7417 with questions.

• What happens if I panic during the swim?

If you are new to open water swimming or have experienced panic in open water in the past, we strongly encourage you to sign up for one of our Open Water Swim Clinics. We also encourage you to buddy up with a friend or another member to swim with during your practice so you feel like you are not alone.  There will be lifeguards out on the course who have life buoys that you can hang on to for a rest or to regroup. They are also able to tow you back to shore if needed.

• Can one of the lifeguards give me a swim lesson?

Our lifeguards' first priority during the swims is to ensure the safety of our swimmers. At any one time there could be 50 - 100 swimmers in the water and therefore our lifeguards are not able to provide swim instruction during the open water swims.  Please take advantage of our Open Water Swim Clinics.