Ice Swimming Lake Memphremagog, Vermont
When the snow and ice arrives in the North East, most are reaching for their snow boards, skis, snow shoes or ice skates, this year I reaching for my an open backed swim suit, cap, ear plugs and goggles.
I am preparing for the March Memphremagog Winter Swimming Society Championships, two days of swimming in this very lake in a 2 lane, 25 meter pool,cut right into the ice. I’m joining 40 or so other swimmers from around the country, and world to come swim in an ice pool. How can I resist swimming in one of my favorite lakes!
I was able to get a training swim in on January 2nd, just as the lake froze, it was tough stepping through the ice to break out to the open water, but it was worth it!
Exiting the water was not quite as easy, the ice was sharp like shards of glass, I did my best to dodge the sharp edges on my way to the shore, regardless I sliced up my shins, they looked like those of a teenage girl, who had just shaved her legs for the first time, yikes!
Once warmed up, the cuts on my legs are long forgotten, I have completed my qualifying swim, and the smile shows it. Next stop the Memphremagog Winter Swimming Society Championships in March, right here in Newport, Vermont. I am excited to test the waters, this will be the coldest water I have ever submerged in, and I love a challenge!
How cold will the water, and will I be able to complete multiple laps of the bottomless ice pool? I’ll keep you posted!
Closing thought: “The real secret of success is enthusiasm” – Walter Chrysler