Anyone do open water swimming for fun and exercise?

aquatic park is set up just for this.

I swim regularly in a lake--frequently no one is arround (although I do like it better when at least one person somewhere on the shore). Nevertheless, I swim parallel to the shore, not out to the middle of the lake. The illusion I have is that if I get a cramp or have difficulty, I will not be that far from land, no matter how far I am from where I began. Have a great time!

great tips. thanks!

well ... i don't know how to swim ... but those undertow things sweep perpendicular from the shore and are supposed to be kinda narrow, so I guess if you're swimming parallel to the shore you're safer?

Sounds GREAT - definitely do some homework or talk to people who are experienced because ocean swimming can be super fun and unknowingly dangerous. (I'm a swim instructor of 10 years - but I don't know too much about this, only stories.) The 'Dolphin Club' of SF swims in the Bay -- maybe they'd be a resource for you?