Now that the water is warmer (86 degrees today) the questions on Naegleria ( Brain Eating Amoeba – newspeak)  are starting to show up.  Here is Lucky’s response to questions on swimming in warm water and the risk for ameba infection. “Some interesting facts about Naegleria. Regarding water temperature the 2010 case involved a girl from Minnisota the water temp was between 71.8 and 76.1. There is no low safety temperature safety number, although more infections appear to be in warm waters. You are 1000 times more likely to drown than you are from dying from Naegleria per water exposure. You are 60 times more likely to die in an automobile crash on your way to do your swim than you are to get an infection. Another interesting fact was about 10% of the cases in the last ten years were from contaminated tap water (don’t irrigate your nose from a hose). Naegleria infection is extremely rare, but because it is always tragic and usually a child involved the story always makes national news so you will hear about every single case. Bicycle deaths are extremely common and barely make local news.

If you want to swim in warm open water what should you do? Wear a nose clip. There have been no reported cases of Naegleria in swimmers wearing a nose clip. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen, but it makes far more sense than jumping on a bicycle for a ride, statistically speaking. Of course, you could just swim in a well chlorinated pool, but your risk for death from an electrical shock in or around the pool exceeds your risk for naegleria in open water. There are no risk free options in life.”

The J & L Swim Shack made the world open water swimming daily news you can read the story here

Our Lake swimmers did well in the Grand Cayman Flowers swim. It was a true racecation and everyone should join us next year.
In the mile swim (just under 900 swimmers) Jake Meisenheimer finished 20th, Lucky Meisenheimer 43rd, Dave Helsel 44th Max Meisenheimer 81st and Theresa Helsel 230.  In the 5K race Lucky was 19th and Dave Helsel was 30th.

Patrick gets his silver cap, but where’s the documentation?  He wants everybody to bow before him when he wears the cap. (I’ve been bowing all along I didn’t know he needed the cap)

Want to know why we love going to the Flowers swim in Grand Cayman? This is why. Come join the fun next year.

Gene has won the battle against pancreatic cancer (he is cancer free and statistically should be dead – take that in the eye grim reaper), but the war goes on.  The post – treatment expenses have wiped Gene out financially. We are trying to help Gene  with his post treatment medical expenses.  We will be hosting a pancake breakfast swim on July 18th in support of Gene. You can donate to his you caring fund by  clicking here: 

After the 5K in Grand Cayman, Lucky, Johnny Sunshine (a lake swimmer) and Olympic Gold Medalist Ian Crocker. If Lucky and Ian have enough energy to ham it up for the cameras after the swim then they really didn’t give the race their all did they?

Lake swimmers off for an adventure swim before the races in Grand Cayman. We are trying to get a big group to go next year so put it on your bucket list. You’ll be glad you did. (once again someone has done a cruel joke on Lucky by switching heads with Dave Helsel, but I think everyone can easily recognize Lucky’s six pack on the far right, nice photoshop job though, you can barely tell.

The Lucky’s Lake swim Logo suits got broken in at the Flowers swim in grand Cayman.  If you swim a race wearing the suit please send us a photo of your butt.  (That sounds weird even taken in context).

Congrats to Rob Gallardo our newest member of the 100 K club. (took him only 3 years – next stop thousand K club 2042)