Open Water Swimming

Open Water Swim Clinics Madison Beach Wednesday, August 6, 5:30 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 13, 5:30 - 7 p.m. Learn how to swim in open water for a race or for fun! Your instructor, Steve Vela, will share his years of open water swimming experience.   » More information

BEACH DISTANCES Want to know how far you swam? Madison Beach Magnuson Beach Mt Baker Beach West Green Lake Beach Madrona Beach Matthews Beach Seward Park Beach

SWIMMING REGULATIONS

1. in designated swimming areas
   
   
2. within 50 feet from shore, unless the swimmer is accompanied by a boat which is within 25 feet of the swimmer

SMC 18.12.180 states that watercraft cannot operate within 75 feet of a swimming beach, and powered watercraft cannot operate within 300 feet of a swimming beach.

To maintain a clearly defined swimming beach, lifeguards discourage swimming immediately outside the lifeguarded area. In the interest of public safety, there is need to maintain a defined perimeter buffer of 75 feet from the swimming area on Green Lake and 150 feet from the swimming areas on Lake Washington. These perimeters are established in SMC 18.12.040 under the Superintendent's rulemaking authority.

Swimming within 50 feet of shore is consistent with the law. Wading or swimming at a distance away from the swimming beach would not have an impact on the operation of the lifeguarded area. The lifeguarded swimming beaches offer maintained bottom conditions, are free of aquatic weeds, and do not have boat traffic, all of which are possible concerns in other parts of the parks.

Lifeguards do not want to push open water swimmers out into boating traffic; they will allow swimmers to pass through the beach area if necessary, but will talk with them about the boundaries of the lifeguarded swimming beach and remind them about the 50 feet from shore rule (SMC 16.28.010), which is near the shallow water piling line at most beaches.