where not to swim: lakes?

Quoted message said:

Soon I'm gonna be away on vacation,
To a nice place with lots of swamps and lakes (Mazuria, Poland, if
you're interested 🙂. Unfortunately, am I correct that swimming in a
natural body of freshwater is a bad idea? Plenty of waterborne
parasites and other nasties (manmade pools got chlorine for a reason)?
I get the impression that freshwater is a lot less safe than the ocean
for some reason (not because the salt kills nasties, I'm sure lots of
those live in the sea but dipping in the beach is safe enough--if
anyone can explain why well I'll be grateful). In order to not become
too flabby over the few weeks, I guess I'll have to settle for some
scenic jogging along the lakeside...

Seb

I'm so glad you came along just when we are about to lose our resident
neurotic to the Canadian Navy.

Reminds me of a woman who was waiting to get into the pool this morning with
me. She said "I cannot believe you don't wear sandels." I said I never have
and I have had no problems with my feet from being barefoot around pools.
She just looked at me, shook her head and made a noise of disgust. If only
she knew how unclean a pool really is...but, no, I didn't want to break the
news to her.

"Martin Smith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Soon I'm gonna be away on vacation,
To a nice place with lots of swamps and lakes (Mazuria, Poland, if
you're interested 🙂. Unfortunately, am I correct that swimming in a
natural body of freshwater is a bad idea? Plenty of waterborne
parasites and other nasties (manmade pools got chlorine for a reason)?
I get the impression that freshwater is a lot less safe than the ocean
for some reason (not because the salt kills nasties, I'm sure lots of
those live in the sea but dipping in the beach is safe enough--if
anyone can explain why well I'll be grateful). In order to not become
too flabby over the few weeks, I guess I'll have to settle for some
scenic jogging along the lakeside...

Seb

I'm so glad you came along just when we are about to lose our resident
neurotic to the Canadian Navy.

Quoted message said:

Soon I'm gonna be away on vacation,
To a nice place with lots of swamps and lakes (Mazuria, Poland, if
you're interested 🙂. Unfortunately, am I correct that swimming in a
natural body of freshwater is a bad idea? Plenty of waterborne
parasites and other nasties (manmade pools got chlorine for a reason)?
I get the impression that freshwater is a lot less safe than the ocean
for some reason (not because the salt kills nasties, I'm sure lots of
those live in the sea but dipping in the beach is safe enough--if
anyone can explain why well I'll be grateful). In order to not become
too flabby over the few weeks, I guess I'll have to settle for some
scenic jogging along the lakeside...

Seb

I can't imagine it will be warm enough to swim in Polish lakes, other
consideration aside. Lots of people love swimming in lakes.
Madelaine

Madelaine said:

Quoted message said:

Soon I'm gonna be away on vacation,
To a nice place with lots of swamps and lakes (Mazuria, Poland, if
you're interested 🙂. Unfortunately, am I correct that swimming in a
natural body of freshwater is a bad idea? Plenty of waterborne
parasites and other nasties (manmade pools got chlorine for a reason)?
I get the impression that freshwater is a lot less safe than the ocean
for some reason (not because the salt kills nasties, I'm sure lots of
those live in the sea but dipping in the beach is safe enough--if
anyone can explain why well I'll be grateful). In order to not become
too flabby over the few weeks, I guess I'll have to settle for some
scenic jogging along the lakeside...

Seb

I can't imagine it will be warm enough to swim in Polish lakes, other
consideration aside. Lots of people love swimming in lakes.
Madelaine

Well it's almost gonna be June when I go so I don't think it will be
that cold. Since I'm being compared to the neurotic in the Canadian
Navy, I guess I needn't worry about river blindness and all that. God
forbid that the guy should ever get the order to abandon ship, and find
himself between a rock and a hard place...

Seb

Quoted message said:

Madelaine said:

Quoted message said:

Soon I'm gonna be away on vacation,
To a nice place with lots of swamps and lakes (Mazuria, Poland, if
you're interested 🙂. Unfortunately, am I correct that swimming in a
natural body of freshwater is a bad idea? Plenty of waterborne
parasites and other nasties (manmade pools got chlorine for a reason)?
I get the impression that freshwater is a lot less safe than the ocean
for some reason (not because the salt kills nasties, I'm sure lots of
those live in the sea but dipping in the beach is safe enough--if
anyone can explain why well I'll be grateful). In order to not become
too flabby over the few weeks, I guess I'll have to settle for some
scenic jogging along the lakeside...

Seb

I can't imagine it will be warm enough to swim in Polish lakes, other
consideration aside. Lots of people love swimming in lakes.
Madelaine

Well it's almost gonna be June when I go so I don't think it will be
that cold. Since I'm being compared to the neurotic in the Canadian
Navy, I guess I needn't worry about river blindness and all that. God
forbid that the guy should ever get the order to abandon ship, and find
himself between a rock and a hard place...

Seb

Can't comment on either the temperature or quality of Polish lakes but
personally I love swimming in freshwater and there's no reason it
shouldn't be safe. Suggest you check with the local tourist
information people when you get there or research on the web before you
go.

Quoted message said:

Madelaine said:

Quoted message said:

Soon I'm gonna be away on vacation,
To a nice place with lots of swamps and lakes (Mazuria, Poland, if
you're interested 🙂. Unfortunately, am I correct that swimming in a
natural body of freshwater is a bad idea? Plenty of waterborne
parasites and other nasties (manmade pools got chlorine for a reason)?
I get the impression that freshwater is a lot less safe than the ocean
for some reason (not because the salt kills nasties, I'm sure lots of
those live in the sea but dipping in the beach is safe enough--if
anyone can explain why well I'll be grateful). In order to not become
too flabby over the few weeks, I guess I'll have to settle for some
scenic jogging along the lakeside...

Seb

I can't imagine it will be warm enough to swim in Polish lakes, other
consideration aside. Lots of people love swimming in lakes.
Madelaine

Well it's almost gonna be June when I go so I don't think it will be
that cold.

The average high for Warsaw in May is 19C. That's for the air. Forget
the lakes.

Quoted message said:

Since I'm being compared to the neurotic in the Canadian
Navy, I guess I needn't worry about river blindness and all that. God
forbid that the guy should ever get the order to abandon ship, and find
himself between a rock and a hard place...

He *is* between a rock and a hard place. All the time. That's what
neurotic means.

silicono2 said:

Soon I'm gonna be away on vacation,
To a nice place with lots of swamps and lakes (Mazuria, Poland, if
you're interested 🙂. Unfortunately, am I correct that swimming in a
natural body of freshwater is a bad idea? Plenty of waterborne
parasites and other nasties (manmade pools got chlorine for a reason)?
I get the impression that freshwater is a lot less safe than the ocean
for some reason (not because the salt kills nasties, I'm sure lots of
those live in the sea but dipping in the beach is safe enough--if
anyone can explain why well I'll be grateful). In order to not become
too flabby over the few weeks, I guess I'll have to settle for some
scenic jogging along the lakeside...

Seb

....that's all the open water tri's I've done a bad idea then? Here in NZ
we still have major river races where it's perfectly safe to drink the
water!

Martin Smith wrote:
[snip]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I can't imagine it will be warm enough to swim in Polish lakes, other
consideration aside. Lots of people love swimming in lakes.
Madelaine

Well it's almost gonna be June when I go so I don't think it will be
that cold.

The average high for Warsaw in May is 19C. That's for the air. Forget
the lakes.

[snip]

So it'll hafta be scenic jogging. That, plus a bit of pushups, should
be enough to keep me in shape till next time I can have a splash?

Seb

On Wed, 19 Apr 2006 06:22:17 +1200, Steve wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

...that's all the open water tri's I've done a bad idea then? Here in NZ
we still have major river races where it's perfectly safe to drink the
water!

Here, under a major continental flyway/migration path the cleanliness
of the warmer lakes can become compromised.

--Mike

Quoted message said:

Martin Smith wrote:
[snip]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>I can't imagine it will be warm enough to swim in Polish lakes, other
>consideration aside. Lots of people love swimming in lakes.
>Madelaine

Well it's almost gonna be June when I go so I don't think it will be
that cold.

The average high for Warsaw in May is 19C. That's for the air. Forget
the lakes.

[snip]

So it'll hafta be scenic jogging. That, plus a bit of pushups, should
be enough to keep me in shape till next time I can have a splash?

They probably have swimming pools there. Yes, there are lots of them.

<http://www.swimmersguide.com>

Meagan said:

Reminds me of a woman who was waiting to get into the pool this morning with
me. She said "I cannot believe you don't wear sandels." I said I never have
and I have had no problems with my feet from being barefoot around pools.
She just looked at me, shook her head and made a noise of disgust. If only
she knew how unclean a pool really is...but, no, I didn't want to break the
news to her.

In another sport, I used to walk barefoot from the change room to the
tatami room, then I noticed that, by doing that, I (myself) was
contributing to a dirtier tatami. As I don't like dirty tatamis, I
stopped going barefoot.

Probably the same reasoning apply to pools and (less) contaminated
pools, so I use flip-flops just for being safe

Nelson

Quoted message said:

"Martin Smith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Soon I'm gonna be away on vacation,
To a nice place with lots of swamps and lakes (Mazuria, Poland, if
you're interested 🙂. Unfortunately, am I correct that swimming in a
natural body of freshwater is a bad idea? Plenty of waterborne
parasites and other nasties (manmade pools got chlorine for a reason)?
I get the impression that freshwater is a lot less safe than the ocean
for some reason (not because the salt kills nasties, I'm sure lots of
those live in the sea but dipping in the beach is safe enough--if
anyone can explain why well I'll be grateful). In order to not become
too flabby over the few weeks, I guess I'll have to settle for some
scenic jogging along the lakeside...

Seb

I'm so glad you came along just when we are about to lose our resident
neurotic to the Canadian Navy.

The basic rule of thumb, is moving water is clean. There are still
plenty of lakes people swim in. Much depends mostly on sewage
protection, as well as chemical or farm run off.

I've swam in very cold waters in Upstate New York, Maine and the like.
At first you go in and it's incredibly cold. Then, after you stay a
while, you freeze to death. But it's fun. One option is a wet suit.

I remember swimming in Beverkill, NY. It's a beautiful place, with a
covered bridge you can dive from into incredibly clean, chilly water.
Everyone loves swimming there. Pretty swift current.

I had relatives from Poland, and they swam there. So I guess it gets
warm enough.

But then, it's no accident that I live in Florida, have a pool that is
some distance from the house for maximum sun, and don't screen it in. I
love warm water. Heck, I love it when the waters in the 90s.

Nelson said:

Meagan said:

Reminds me of a woman who was waiting to get into the pool this morning with
me. She said "I cannot believe you don't wear sandels." I said I never have
and I have had no problems with my feet from being barefoot around pools.
She just looked at me, shook her head and made a noise of disgust. If only
she knew how unclean a pool really is...but, no, I didn't want to break the
news to her.

In another sport, I used to walk barefoot from the change room to the
tatami room, then I noticed that, by doing that, I (myself) was
contributing to a dirtier tatami. As I don't like dirty tatamis, I
stopped going barefoot.

Probably the same reasoning apply to pools and (less) contaminated
pools, so I use flip-flops just for being safe

How do you keep your flip-flops cleaner than your feet?

Meagan said:

Reminds me of a woman who was waiting to get into the pool this morning with
me. She said "I cannot believe you don't wear sandels." I said I never have
and I have had no problems with my feet from being barefoot around pools.
She just looked at me, shook her head and made a noise of disgust. If only
she knew how unclean a pool really is...but, no, I didn't want to break the
news to her.

In the mid 80s I was teaching at Fordham University. They had a pool
and I didn't bother with sandals. I picked up a fungus I could not shake
into the 90s. Saw lots of doctors. Finally a doctor recognized it as
being a Vietnamese variety, obviously brought over by some Vet. He got
it under control, but it has never completely gone away. I always wear
sandals so I don't share it or get something else.

Beach Runner said:

Meagan said:

Reminds me of a woman who was waiting to get into the pool this
morning with me. She said "I cannot believe you don't wear sandels." I
said I never have and I have had no problems with my feet from being
barefoot around pools. She just looked at me, shook her head and made
a noise of disgust. If only she knew how unclean a pool really
is...but, no, I didn't want to break the news to her.

In the mid 80s I was teaching at Fordham University. They had a pool
and I didn't bother with sandals. I picked up a fungus I could not shake
into the 90s. Saw lots of doctors. Finally a doctor recognized it as
being a Vietnamese variety, obviously brought over by some Vet. He got
it under control, but it has never completely gone away. I always wear
sandals so I don't share it or get something else.

I didn't know Vietnamese were fungi. How do you know you picked this one
up at a pool? They live *inside* the body.

Beach Runner said:

Meagan said:

Reminds me of a woman who was waiting to get into the pool this
morning with me. She said "I cannot believe you don't wear sandels." I
said I never have and I have had no problems with my feet from being
barefoot around pools. She just looked at me, shook her head and made
a noise of disgust. If only she knew how unclean a pool really
is...but, no, I didn't want to break the news to her.

In the mid 80s I was teaching at Fordham University. They had a pool
and I didn't bother with sandals. I picked up a fungus I could not shake
into the 90s. Saw lots of doctors. Finally a doctor recognized it as
being a Vietnamese variety, obviously brought over by some Vet. He got
it under control, but it has never completely gone away. I always wear
sandals so I don't share it or get something else.

When you take your sandals off, I'm guessing you put them in your bag
without washing them in soap and water first.

I just not taking the dirty on the way to the pool.

Martin I am not swimming with the flip-flops on, ok!

In the tatami case, my feet visibly got black, and afterwards I could
see that dirty in the tatami-floor.

The same effect is clearly invisible in the pool, but just because you
can't see it, it doesn't mean you are not taxing the pool filters. Etc.

Your fears may not be unfounded. When I was in Germany, the docs advised us
not to swim in a local lake because it was infested with liver flukes. We
swam in the Chiemsee and it was okay (although that was some of the coldest
water I have ever been in). My suggestion would be to try to ask somebody
local as to whether the lake is okay. Maybe the local public health people
would know.

Pat in TX

I swim in lakes and rivers every chance I get. But it gave me a moment's pause
to see the New York Times' online video on leeches. Go to
http://nytimes.com/video (free, unobtrusive registration required). From
Channels, go to Science > Science Times and scroll down to "Defending the
Leech". I'd thought they were found only in the tropics, but the interviewee, a
curator at the American Museum of Natural History, says they're found up to the
Arctic. Guess I've been lucky; not that they're a real problem.

--
John Rethorst
jrethorst at post dot com