Hi there!
Just read your message about training for the swim. I can only talk from my own personal experiences. If I do the swim again this year, it will be my 9th time. Up until my first river crossing, I had only swum a mile at a time, and always in a pool and I was nervous that I couldn't swim three miles. I am a fairly strong swimmer, I do a mile in about 30 - 35 minutes. I never tried to swim three miles (216 laps) in a pool prior to my first swim and other experienced open water swimmers told me not to worry. Adrenalin sort of takes over, plus, you are more buoyant in the river (it is very saline), plus of course you can rest -- so it isn't as daunting as it seems. That said, the currents of course can be wicked so pool/lake swimming really doesn't help with getting used to currents. In any case, you mentioned you have a kayaker and that is great, hopefully they will also be with you in the river. I've done the swim with and without "dedicated" kayakers and it makes a world of difference to have sombody next to you.
All of that said, I know you're asking specific questions about a lake, so I'll share your question with some other folks. I do know that there is a small group of people that swim at 6 am in the Hudson on Monday, Wed & Fri mornings. Maybe you could join them?
Lauren
Good Luck Josh!
