Saturday Group Swim at Lakeside Park (2021-12-11)
Swim Wild Squamish is exploring the Sea to Sky! Join us for our first swim in Whistler!
Time and Place
This swim takes place at Lakeside Park in Whistler. We will meet at 9:45am and plan to be in the water by 10:00am. Please allow yourself a few minutes to park, get ready, and sign in before the mandatory safety briefing at 9:55am sharp. If you miss the safety briefing at 9:55am you will not be allowed to swim with us. See below for additional location and parking info.
Swim Format
Lakeside Park is a beautiful beach park located on the shores of Alta Lake. As the water gets colder, we recommend keeping your swim short and close to shore. Make sure you get out long before you get cold! You may swim/dip as long as you like, but everyone must sign out by 11:15am.
Safety
There are no lifeguards at this lake. Swimming wild is an amazing experience, but it’s not without risk. This is how we manage it:
– We swim within our own abilities, and need to be honest with ourselves about our abilities if we decide to venture out of our depth. We want to be out of the water long before we get too cold or exhausted
– We swim with a buddy, and check in regularly to see how each other is doing
– We each carry a whistle. If anything happens, you can signal for help
– We each wear a brightly-coloured swim cap (such as your SWS member cap!). This makes us easy to spot. A brightly-coloured tow float is also highly recommended, and can be great to hold on to when having a break out in the deep water
– We will sign in before the safety briefing and sign out before we leave. If we don’t sign out, the volunteers will call us, then our emergency contact, then the first responders. This is incredibly important to make sure we can account for everyone
– We will have a first aid kit and at least one person trained in first aid present at every swim. However, this first aid person may be in the water and will not necessarily be able to respond promptly. We may also be far away from the kit as you venture out on your swim.
Gear
Each swimmer is responsible for their own choice of gear, but here are some suggestions:
– A swimsuit or swim apparel of choice (no judgement)
– A wetsuit (optional)
– A brightly-coloured swim cap or hat/toque (cap included with your membership)
– A loud whistle (mandatory; available for $5 at our swims)
– Goggles and ear plugs (optional)
– A brightly-coloured tow-float (recommended)
– Snacks and water
Once you get out of the water, you might want:
– A large towel or two
– A mat or extra towel for standing on while getting changed
– A dry-robe, towel robe, or just a big towel for getting changed under
– Loose clothing that’s easy to pull on when you’re slightly damp. Buttons, zippers, or other fussy things that are difficult to use with numb fingers are not recommended
– Water shoes, crocs, or flip flops
– A warm drink
– A snack
Getting Here and Parking
This location is best accessed by car if you are coming from Squamish. Head north on Highway 99 from Squamish for approximately 50km. Turn left off highway 99 onto Hillcrest Drive. Take the first right onto Alpine Crescent and then on your left you will see a road which will lead you to Lakeside Park parking lot. Parking is $2.00/hr in the summer.
About the Location
Lakeside Park is located on the Valley Trail in Whistler. There is a sandy (or snowy!) beach with a gradual entry into the water. We will meet at the main beach close to the parking lot. Here is the location.
Washrooms
Washrooms are available on site. Consider bringing your own toilet kit with toilet paper and hand sanitizer just in case. You may also want to arrive dressed and ready to swim.
