Buntzen Lake is the new Sasamat!

In the GVRD where I live, there's really only two good lakes (nearby) to swim in: Sasamat and Buntzen. I've only ever swam in Sasamat Lake for training, although I've spent a lot of time at the dog off-leash area at Buntzen (as well as running in the trails around the lake; they're amazing trails, not too technical with a good variety of undulation, climbing, and flat!) After a solid 5km swim at Sasamat yesterday, the water was so damn turbid that I happened to tweet about it. Shortly after, some comments were made about how amazing the water was to swim at Buntzen lake; I knew it was far cleaner (glacier fed,) but also much colder. Well, today I decided was the first time to go for a dip, OW swimming style.

GORGEOUS! Can you think of a better place to swim?

Nici and I swam the length of the lake and back (close to 6km's return trip,) and I tell you, I WON'T SWIM SASAMAT ANYMORE!!!! That's right: Buntzen is in, Sasamat is OUT! The water was like glass, I'd refer to it as "God's Mirror," as it was THAT perfect! Nici and I were even greeted by a beer can mid-swim, very thoughtful of the lake! The water was absolutely perfect temperature, SUPER clean & clear, and the perfect length for a solid swim. Even though I had an epically large breakfast, MAN was I starving to death by the end. With 1k to go I was almost sick to my stomach I was so hungry. Same with Nici.This swim completed 16+ km's of swimming in the last 3 days, I'm SUPER thankful for my new Compressport Arm Sleeves to help with recovery; I find they make quite the difference to keep my arms feeling fresh for the next batch of swimming :-)

Relaxing in my arm sleeves, refreshing bevy in hand!

The lake is perfect, I would say it's even nicer than the legendary Thetis lake in Victoria (yeah, you can quote me on that!) Nobody really knows about it, so keep it on the Down Low eh? A giant EMEND recovery shake, along with a delicious frappuccino from Starbucks hit the spot before lunch, enough to keep me going through to a big ride this afternoon (last big one before I head to Penticton to train on the Ironman Canada course.) Get out to Buntzen, and enjoy it! But like Sasamat, you'll need to get there early to avoid the parking lot getting full!

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Happy training everyone, enjoy the sun!

Nathan