Guy Matheson started swimming in Lake Michigan in 2018 because he found it “much more fun” than a pool.. Now I try to go every day during peak season..
“I don't think there's any other place like this,” said Matheson, 53, who lives in Pilsen. “Every time I go, I always experience something different.”
Swimming in a lake, or open water swimming, is very different from lap swimming, says Louise LeBeaujois, 60, of Rogers Park, who knows better: She's been doing open water swimming for about 20 years.
“It's like the difference between walking on a sidewalk in your neighborhood in the city and going to a state park and hiking,” she said. “You're outside, it's nature.”
A few years ago, Lebourgeois began training beginners on how to safely navigate the lake's ever-changing conditions. She and Matheson say here's what people need to know before diving in:
When to swim
Brave swimmers can swim in the lake year-round, but peak season is from July to September, when the water temperature is similar to that of a typical swimming pool: in the high 60s to low 70s. Matheson usually starts swimming in late May, when the water temperature reaches the low 60s.
Before getting in the water, check the National Weather Service's website for storm warnings and small craft advisories (signs that an area may not be safe to swim in). Website Beach closures and water quality notices: The park service closes parts of the lakeshore if storm runoff or sewage leaks cause dangerously high bacteria levels. Matheson said there have been no water quality issues and he hasn't gotten sick, but he doesn't recommend swimmers drink the lake water.
And of course, use your best judgment: if the water is rough enough that you don't feel comfortable swimming, don't swim.
Places to swim
Although Matheson swims alone in waters not patrolled by lifeguards, he recommends beginners start in lifeguarded areas — any certified beach with a lifeguard tower is a good place to start.
“Start small,” he says, “and once you feel like you're really enjoying it, you can slowly increase the distance. You can even start doing longer distances in your own privacy.”
Most swimmers depart from Promontory Point in Hyde Park, but groups can be found all along the lakeshore. Lebourgeois said he frequents groups in Rogers Park and knows people who teach open-water swimming to adults at Evanston and 57th Street Beach.
Talking to experienced open water swimmers can help you put things in perspective, she says. There are lots of swimming communities in Chicago, and they can often be found on Facebook. Open Water Swim Chicago hosts group clinics for beginner swimmers.
Lebourgeois adds that it's important to know that you might not be able to exit where you planned. Wind and weather can change while you're on the water, so a spot you've scouted for an exit may no longer be safe. She advises beginner swimmers to make sure they can swim a mile in a pool without stopping before stepping into a lake, so they'll feel more confident and at ease if that happens.
What gear to get
If the water is warm enough, you can head out in your swimsuit, goggles and hat.
If you plan on doing extended swims in cold temperatures, consider buying an extra bathing shirt, an extra hat, and neoprene boots and gloves to keep your hands and feet warm. For Le Bourgeois, these layers are essential for swimming when the water temperature is in the low 50s. A wetsuit is required for winter swimming.
Matheson also encourages swimmers to use swim buoys, fluorescent bags attached to a waist strap that float behind the swimmer to keep valuables dry, act as personal flotation devices and increase visibility.
