I may be a little early here but when does the open water contest start? Not sure if you are waiting til ice out or not but it would be kind of nice for all the people that brave the elements on the river this time of year to get started

Contest has started the past 2 years on April 1st.

Yep, April 1.

Sounds good

Given the winter and the lingering cold, you'll not have to worry about open water until about 7/1.

take a trip down to Winona, been down here all weekend, and seeing more boats than shacks...

If you have an open water swim for your tri and you'e not yet done an open water swim, my advice would be to try it just so your used to the different taste, and pond weed on your legs and visibility of the water.If you can swim at the actual lake when your tri is,all the better I was worried about the Thames swim at London so did one of IMG's 'swim days' which meant I was prepared and didn't freak out on the day.To be honest even if you are in a pool kiddies are likely to have wee'd in it too,and that's not evening thinking about any wetsuit weeing that happens before the wave start Shocked...