Beaches, pools and swimming in general (Seattle, Bellevue: houses, neighborhood, YMCA)

[angelenogirl]

I've been reading about swimming at local beaches here, and saw that some people who swim in the lake(s) get something called "swimmer's itch." How common is that really? As appealing as it sounds, I'd love any tips on avoiding it.

Also, I notice there are a lot of community pools with slides, lazy rivers, etc. Which ones are the best? I'm used to having my own pool (very common in Southern California - please don't slam me for being an elitist!), and miss swimming and playing in the pool on sunny days.

I'd love to hear about any and all outdoor water-based activities that are fun for families. We're willing to drive as long as there's parking. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[BellevueNative]

Are you guys close to a community swim club? These are very popular here in the Seattle area. You'll rarely meet kids that grow up here that don't know how to swim.

Seattle has the Seattle Summer Swim League, and the Eastside has Midlakes Swim League. Here is one club in the SSSL: About View Ridge Swim and Tennis Club

Swimmer's Itch is from bacteria in the water, that's all. You just want to shower after you swim in the lake (or the ocean for that matter). Just like how you wash the salt off after you're in the ocean, or the chlorine off after swimming in the pool. Some of the swim beaches have showers.

[angelenogirl]

Originally Posted by BellevueNative

Are you guys close to a community swim club? These are very popular here in the Seattle area. You'll rarely meet kids that grow up here that don't know how to swim.

Seattle has the Seattle Summer Swim League, and the Eastside has Midlakes Swim League. Here is one club in the SSSL: About View Ridge Swim and Tennis Club

Swimmer's Itch is from bacteria in the water, that's all. You just want to shower after you swim in the lake (or the ocean for that matter). Just like how you wash the salt off after you're in the ocean, or the chlorine off after swimming in the pool. Some of the swim beaches have showers.

Thanks. We are close to the private clubs in View Ridge and Wedgwood, but I've read that the latter has a ten-year wait list, and the former has over a thousand people on theirs!

I'm trying to keep an open mind about lake swimming, but it's creeping me out a bit. Shower or no.

[BellevueNative]

Originally Posted by angelenogirl

Thanks. We are close to the private clubs in View Ridge and Wedgwood, but I've read that the latter has a ten-year wait list, and the former has over a thousand people on theirs!

I'm trying to keep an open mind about lake swimming, but it's creeping me out a bit. Shower or no.

Wow, I had no idea about the waiting lists for the neighborhood clubs!

Nothing creepy about lake swimming, other than that it's darker than a swimming pool

[Hemlock140]

Lake Washington swimming areas, especially Juanita beach have some issues with the water at times. Smaller lakes like Pine Lake in Sammamish and Lake Sammamish are fine, but the water is cold. Besides private clubs we have public pools in some cities, like Issaquah, YMCA pools, and some community pools, like Klahanie in Issaquah. In fact they have one open all yer with a dome over it. There are not many oprivate pools here simply because the weather makes it impractical, for 8-10 weeks a year of sunny weather. Even then it rarely gets above 80 even in August, though I see that it's supposed to be 80 Sunday so maybe this year will be different. Seeing 80 in May is very unusual. Those that can afford it will have it enclosed or indoor pools but that's pretty much limited to multi-million dollar homes.

[angelenogirl]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Lake Washington swimming areas, especially Juanita beach have some issues with the water at times. Smaller lakes like Pine Lake in Sammamish and Lake Sammamish are fine, but the water is cold. Besides private clubs we have public pools in some cities, like Issaquah, YMCA pools, and some community pools, like Klahanie in Issaquah. In fact they have one open all yer with a dome over it. There are not many oprivate pools here simply because the weather makes it impractical, for 8-10 weeks a year of sunny weather. Even then it rarely gets above 80 even in August, though I see that it's supposed to be 80 Sunday so maybe this year will be different. Seeing 80 in May is very unusual. Those that can afford it will have it enclosed or indoor pools but that's pretty much limited to multi-million dollar homes.

I just saw a listing for an adorable house with an indoor pool, which struck me as odd at first...but, yeah, rain. I get it. We've looked at two homes with pools and it almost seems like a liability. Totally opposite market.

At the risk of sounding bourgie, do people join country clubs here? I saw in West Seattle there's a club called Glen Acres that has a pool, tennis, etc. Looks kind of nice, though I'm not necessarily the type.

[seattlerain]

Originally Posted by angelenogirl

Thanks. We are close to the private clubs in View Ridge and Wedgwood, but I've read that the latter has a ten-year wait list, and the former has over a thousand people on theirs!

I'm trying to keep an open mind about lake swimming, but it's creeping me out a bit. Shower or no.

You are not far from Matthews Beach where as a child I spent many summer days. Swimming there is fine, take a shower afterwards and you should have no problem.

[angelenogirl]

Originally Posted by seattlerain

You are not far from Matthews Beach where as a child I spent many summer days. Swimming there is fine, take a shower afterwards and you should have no problem.

That area is so beautiful, though I haven't seen the actual beach where people swim. We just looked at some houses there with water views.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by angelenogirl

I've been reading about swimming at local beaches here, and saw that some people who swim in the lake(s) get something called "swimmer's itch." How common is that really? As appealing as it sounds, I'd love any tips on avoiding it.

Also, I notice there are a lot of community pools with slides, lazy rivers, etc. Which ones are the best? I'm used to having my own pool (very common in Southern California - please don't slam me for being an elitist!), and miss swimming and playing in the pool on sunny days.

I'd love to hear about any and all outdoor water-based activities that are fun for families. We're willing to drive as long as there's parking. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Matthew's Beach, on Lake Washington, is pretty popular. I've never had a problem with swimmer's itch. Greenlake is good for swimming, too. Generally speaking, Matthew's Beach is more of a family-oriented scene, whereas Greenlake tends more to be a singles' scene. Though families use it, too.

[Ira500]

I think there's something like nine public beaches in Seattle on Lake Washington. Matthew's Beach is nice, but Madison Park and Madrona Park are lively. Beaver Lake in Sammamish has warmer water. The only time I ever got swimmer's itch was after swimming at Greenlake.