Lake WILDERNESS Swim/Dip!!!
Schedule
Sat May 23 2026 at 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
UTC-07:00Location
22500 SE 248th St, Maple Valley, WA 98038-6008, United States | Maple Valley, WA
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This is a swim-your-own-swim event (you choose your route, pace, distance). We get into the water together, and we each get out/leave whenever we want. We are in the water for 0-90 minutes. Bathrooms available. 10:30am MEET at the swimming area
10:50am Get in the Lake
FORECAST: 65 & cloudy
Water: 60ish
Look in the DISCUSSION of this event for PARKING MAP.
***COLD WATER EXPOSURE RISKS***
Please educate yourself about the risks of cold-water exposure, hypothermia, and after-drop before entering the water. I am not an expert but have found the below videos helpful.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1016/j.wem.2019.10.002?
***GENERAL OWS INFORMATION***
WETSUITS vs SKINS: Some people wear full wetsuits; and some people wear just swimsuits (aka skins) year-around. There are in-between options too, such as a swimsuit (or shorty), neoprene cap, gloves, and socks. Your choice!
OWS PACKING CHECKLIST
- goggles (CLEAR for night swims)
- swim cap
- ear plugs (helps prevent surfer’s ear)
- swim suit
- wetsuit
- neoprene cap or bibbed hood
- neoprene gloves
- neoprene socks
- swim safety buoy
- waterproof light for swim buoy at night
- plastic baggie to stow valuables in swim buoy
- plastic bag for wet items after swim
- towel
WARM-UP AFTER SWIMMING
- RINSE off with WARM water (optional)
- DRY off completely
- Put on DRY CLOTHES immediately
- Put on DRY SHOES
- Put on a warm CAP
- Drink a HOT BEVERAGE
- Eat or drink a HIGH-CALORIE item
- Use HAND and NECK WARMERS
- JOG slowly in place
- SLOWLY crank up the HEAT in the car!
PRODUCTS I LIKE…
SWIM:
WETSUIT: https://www.blueseventy.com/products/sprint-women
Bibbed HOOD (functions as a cap/ear protection/and neck protection from wetsuit): https://www.amazon.com/Orca-Thermal-Head-Cover-XL/dp/B091JQF8PY
Neoprene CAP: https://www.blueseventy.com/products/adjustable-thermal-skull-cap
Silicone CAP (covers ears for added warmth): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B6FMZS23
Neoprene GLOVES Mares 5mm gloves (these work well with skins because they seal very well at the wrist): https://www.scuba.com/p-mrsgf5nmd/mares-5mm-flexa-fit-gloves-medium?
Neoprene GLOVES Thermal Synergy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DH6BMTSL?th=1
Neoprene SOCKS: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08TM1TZKV
Neoprene SOCKS (w/titanium lining) https://www.watersportsoutlet.com/2024-zone3-neoprene-heat-tech-warmth-socks-na18uhts101-black-red-p-42474.html?
Neoprene BOOTS 3mm or 5mm men’s sizing (good for rocky beaches): https://www.scuba.com/p-udrb3ezer7/aqualung-3mm-echozip-boots
Waterproof LIGHT for inside buoy on night swims: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KRQRRFL
Safety strobe light for night swims: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CF1WVYHX
Safety WHISTLE - attach to buoy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0L5BUW
Water THERMOMETER: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073GGVN3Q
Swim WATCH https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/665374/
Tinted GOGGLES: https://www.blueseventy.com/products/hydra-vision
Large/Clear GOGGLES (large goggles keep face warmer in the winter): https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Sphere-Aquasphere-Vista-XP/dp/B0CFW1K6H7
SNORKEL: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A91IHH2
Safety BUOY 15lb: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BF75L36
Safety BOUY duck: https://www.swimwildwaters.com/product-page/duck-island-hopper
AFTERSWIM:
Gallon thermos for post-swim hot water bath: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09V4Z8Y37
Heated HANDWARMERS: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CKYK35ZX
Heated SCARF & HOOD: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CFKX4JG2
Heated NECK-warmer: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BMG6CF7G/
Heated VEST: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKPBR6FM
Foam CHANGING MAT (keeps feet off of cold/frozen cement/ground): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JOAR8OC
Snow BOOTS (cheap): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B099JWX93V
Snow BOOTS (mid-calf): https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/127451
Snow BOOTS (tall/warmest): https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mountain-Warehouse-Womens-Icey-Long-Snow-Boots/5569405820
CHANGING PONCHO: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SDNWYBG
COAT (light-weight): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BCW5MP52
COAT (heavy): https://us.dryrobe.com/products/dryrobe-advance-long-sleeve-navy-grey
Glove/Sock/Boot dryer: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08V3L68YN
Protein HOT cocoa: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NTBC00U
Electrolytes: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08JVMHHWN
TIDE CHARTS:
Alki Bathhouse: https://www.windfinder.com/tide/alki_beach and https://www.usharbors.com/harbor/washington/seattle-wa/
Constellation: https://www.windfinder.com/forecast/alki_point
Fauntleroy: https://www.windfinder.com/forecast/fauntleroy
Seahurst/Burien: https://www.windfinder.com/forecast/burien
Saltwater: https://www.windfinder.com/forecast/des_moines_east_passage_puget_sound and https://www.usharbors.com/harbor/washington/des-moines-wa/tides/#monthly-tide-chart
Browns Point/Dash Point: https://www.windfinder.com/weatherforecast/browns_point_tacoma
SEWER OVERFLOW: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/waste-services/wastewater-treatment/sewer-system-services/cso-status
BACTERIA IN THE SOUND: https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/saltwater/beach-program
BACTERIA IN LAKES: https://kingcounty.gov/en/legacy/services/environment/water-and-land/lakes/swim-beaches
SUNRISE/SUNSET: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/@5785510
MOONRISE/MOONSET: https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/@5785510
***Enter the water at YOUR OWN RISK***
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Where is it happening?
22500 SE 248th St, Maple Valley, WA 98038-6008, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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