For the nature lovers and exercise fanatics, open-water swimming offers a next-level way to embrace the natural world. Opening your eyes to non-chlorinated water, aquatic plants, and tiny fish — without a lane line or pool wall in sight — can feel wild.
Let’s face it: the Hudson Valley’s breathtaking natural waters are far more scenic than any old swimming pool. British-South African endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh underscored that in 2023, when he swam the river’s full 315-mile length to advocate for clean waterways — and drew plenty of attention and participation along the way.
If you’re thinking of dipping a toe in, the region’s open-water groups, events, and locations — both in local lakes and within the Hudson River itself — have loads to offer. Of course, safety is paramount in open water. Always watch weather conditions, stick to designated areas, swim with a buddy, and enter feet first. And especially if you’re swimming in the Hudson River, avoid swimming just after a rainstorm, and consider checking water quality through a monitoring entity like the Hudson River Environmental Conditions Observing System or Riverkeeper.
The Minnewaska Distance Swimmers Association offers one of many local open-water swimming opportunities in the mid-valley: Ulster County’s gorgeous Lake Minnewaska. As a member, you can swim the full 200-yard course off the association’s private beach, located at the south end of the lake. Compared to the park’s public beach, which really just lets you wade in alongside loads of other park-goers, it’s a swimmer’s paradise.
You can apply to join as of May 15. And after passing a rigorous swim test, you’ll be required to always swim with a buddy. Swimming is only allowed with a lifeguard present, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. The season lasts from June 14 through Labor Day.
The Minnewaska Distance Swimmers Association is a unique volunteer swim organization in New York State. Coordinator Stephanie Bludau says, “It is for anyone who applies and takes and passes our swim test … you do not need to live in the area, but many members do.”
The park’s public beach is open to all visitors. However, the association’s beach is perfect for folks to really get some strokes in. And because of the amazing backdrop, clear water, and beautiful scenery, it’s a truly next-level spot for a workout.
Another great open-water swimming organization is New York Open Water. It hosts open-water swim races and events throughout New York State, the Hudson Valley in particular.
One is the Minnewaska Jubilee, which takes place at Lake Minnewaska in September. Folks are invited to swim a .75-mile course as many times as they can over three hours. Or for a longer, more rigorous event, there’s the 8 Bridges Swim in June. Since 2011, swimmers have taken on 120 miles of the Hudson River, swimming from the Rip Van Winkle Bridge in Catskill-Hudson, all the way down to New York City’s Verrazano-Narrows Bridge over the course of a week. Both are a great way for avid swimmers to hit the open waters for a day (or week’s worth) of fun.
Longtime New York Open Water participant Dongho Choi started by tackling Stage One of the 8 Bridges Swim in 2016, and volunteering as a boat observer for the 20 Bridges swim around Manhattan that same year. And he says working with the organization has changed his life as an athlete.
“New York Open Water has become like a second home to me,” he explains. “I kept returning both as a swimmer and as a volunteer because of the incredible community and mission behind it. The organization has helped swimmers from around the world achieve dreams they once thought were impossible.”
And among everything else, he is grateful for the amount of people that come together to make each of its events safe and doable.
“What makes [New York Open Water] truly special is the enormous effort and dedication from the people behind the scenes —organizers, pilots, kayakers, safety crews, observers, volunteers, and supporters — who make these swims safe, meaningful, and world-class experiences,” he continues. “Their passion not only supports athletes but also helps people discover and appreciate the beauty of New York’s waterways and the Hudson Valley itself.”
Races like the annual Great Newburgh to Beacon Hudson River Swim and the Lighthouse Swim also offer people the chance to give open-water swimming a try with safety volunteers and plenty of camaraderie. The Lighthouse Swim has participants swim across the Hudson River from Nyack to Sleepy Hollow, New York. It’s supported by organizations like Rivertown SUP, with volunteers on stand-up paddleboards. And it supports the nonprofit Feeding Westchester, among other charities.
“The first time I swam across the Hudson River, I fell in love with its beautiful views,” says one of the organization’s co-directors, Susan Klein. “The construction of the Mario Cuomo Bridge halted the swim. But during the pandemic, a group of us would swim in the Hudson, dreaming of swimming across. [Co-founder Terry McGlynn] and I decided we could bring the swim back.”
And while the annual summertime staple is nothing without its incredible team of volunteers, support, and organizers, Klein reiterates how unique the Hudson River is as the event’s setting.
“The Hudson River is spectacular and, in my opinion, it gets a bad rap. The swim itself is a challenge, and planning it is, too,” she says. Extensive planning goes into putting on the annual event, especially because the Hudson is an estuary, with a current and tides to account for. “When planning the swim, we need to consider whether the water will be flooding or ebbing,” she says. “Because of this, swimmers will swim in an arc so they hit their mark.”
Races like these offer amazing opportunities for avid swimmers to test their boundaries, and to see more of the Hudson Valley from the region’s famous waterway. “We want people to know the Hudson River is safe for recreation,” Klein adds. “The Hudson Valley is a great destination with so much to do and see.”
