Random question - swimming in Mission Bay? (live, triathlon)

[Bluefox]

So this is a bit of a random question and may not get many replies, but what are the rules for swimming in Mission Bay? Can you swim there year round? What spots are the best? I am doing my first sprint triathlon next year and while I'm a fairly proficient pool swimmer, I have never done an open water swim before. I'm visiting SD in a few weeks and figured I would try to take advantage of MB being there to practice or at least get somewhat acclimated to the open water as I understand it is very very different from pool swimming. Obviously here in KC it will be getting cold soon and most of the lakes closed after Labor Day. The sprint triathlon I'm doing will be in a lake which is more similar to the bay rather than the ocean so I'm not very interested in doing an open water ocean swim (right now at least). Anyway, any feedback/information is appreciated.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Year round = yes, but you'll want a farmer john

There are multiple spots in the no wake zones but if you can go as a group and have at least a kayak along with a flag. The bay is full of idiot boaters. I train there when I have to. It's better off the cove in LJ but I don't like all these hammers in with warm water.

I have a century ride and want to do a local sprint tri after but we'll see how it goes. I'm a few years out of massive surgery after getting hit by a car on my tri bike while training.

In the back parts of the bay you won't have the rips from the tide swings like you will in the channel. So, it's pretty much like a lake unless the current is really going.

[Bluefox]

Originally Posted by 1AngryTaxPayer

Year round = yes, but you'll want a farmer john

There are multiple spots in the no wake zones but if you can go as a group and have at least a kayak along with a flag. The bay is full of idiot boaters. I train there when I have to. It's better off the cove in LJ but I don't like all these hammers in with warm water.

I have a century ride and want to do a local sprint tri after but we'll see how it goes. I'm a few years out of massive surgery after getting hit by a car on my tri bike while training.

In the back parts of the bay you won't have the rips from the tide swings like you will in the channel. So, it's pretty much like a lake unless the current is really going.

Thanks! Exactly the info I was looking for. I never swam over there when I lived there, it was always just the ocean. Good idea about the kayak/group... I'll have to see if any of my friends who are still out there would be interested in / capable of doing it with me or at least spotting me on a kayak. When you say back parts of the bay, do you mean like the eastern side of Fiesta Island or De Anza Cove? Do these have no wake zones?

Good luck on the century ride. That really sucks about getting hit but good for you for getting back out there.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by Bluefox

Thanks! Exactly the info I was looking for. I never swam over there when I lived there, it was always just the ocean. Good idea about the kayak/group... I'll have to see if any of my friends who are still out there would be interested in / capable of doing it with me or at least spotting me on a kayak. When you say back parts of the bay, do you mean like the eastern side of Fiesta Island or De Anza Cove? Do these have no wake zones?

Good luck on the century ride. That really sucks about getting hit but good for you for getting back out there.

I came close to bonking today after just 3 hours on the bike. Maybe those beers last night weren't such a good idea

It's all no wake except around the radar dome and over by the strip on mission bl close to PB where they allow unlimited speed midday. Just check on the water quality after it rains.

[sdurbanite]

1AngryTaxPayer is right about La Jolla Cove. Go there instead of Mission Bay. Lots of people swim from the Cove to a buoy a half mile off the shore and back. There is a lifeguard on duty that can help explain things to you. My friends 65 year old mother swam there all the time.

Here's a video of a guy doing it. Go soon while the ocean water is warm. 77 degrees right now.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0oJjj6VIqw

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Don't swim until Friday after this mess. The pollution will be bad.

[bloom]

Originally Posted by sdurbanite

1AngryTaxPayer is right about La Jolla Cove. Go there instead of Mission Bay. Lots of people swim from the Cove to a buoy a half mile off the shore and back. There is a lifeguard on duty that can help explain things to you. My friends 65 year old mother swam there all the time.

Here's a video of a guy doing it. Go soon while the ocean water is warm. 77 degrees right now.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0oJjj6VIqw

Watch out for man-eating sharks if open swimming in those warmer waters, especially if seals around like at the cove.

[LuvSouthOC]

Originally Posted by Bluefox

So this is a bit of a random question and may not get many replies, but what are the rules for swimming in Mission Bay? Can you swim there year round? What spots are the best? I am doing my first sprint triathlon next year and while I'm a fairly proficient pool swimmer, I have never done an open water swim before. I'm visiting SD in a few weeks and figured I would try to take advantage of MB being there to practice or at least get somewhat acclimated to the open water as I understand it is very very different from pool swimming. Obviously here in KC it will be getting cold soon and most of the lakes closed after Labor Day. The sprint triathlon I'm doing will be in a lake which is more similar to the bay rather than the ocean so I'm not very interested in doing an open water ocean swim (right now at least). Anyway, any feedback/information is appreciated.

Reps, I don't recommend swimming in that bay.