This SouthCoast Kid Prefers Fresh Water Over Salt Water

Living along the SouthCoast of New England, we are fortunate to have the best of both worlds when it comes to where we like to go swimming. While many folks prefer their backyard swimming pool to ponds, lakes, or the ocean, most of us don't have a pool, so we have to rough it.

Having traveled extensively across the country, I realize how fortunate we are here to have the Atlantic Ocean at our doorstep – but not everyone likes ocean water.

The ocean, especially along the North Atlantic coast, is dark and cold most of the year. It's creepy too, with all of those creatures lurking not far beneath the surface. The Gulf Coast is nice and warm, and it's clear, but there is still the problem of the creepy things like sharks to worry about. Red tide can be a problem too.

Westport's Horseneck Beach and Dartmouth's Round Hill offer majestic views and dramatic wave-crashing sounds, not to mention the agonizing cries of seagulls in pursuit of your half-finished bologna sandwich. However, ponds and lakes are calmer and more chill.

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I like the ponds and lakes. I would take Long Pond in Lakeville or the old Mary's Pond in Rochester over the ocean any day. Ponds and lakes certainly have their own issues, but at least they warm up faster than the ocean, and there are far fewer creepy things to be concerned about.

My mother used to tell me that salt water swimming is good for you. She'd say the salt water heals and cleanses your body. Maybe.

Something about a pond or a lake on a warm summer day propels me back to my youthful days filled with endless swimming and general horsing around with the gang.

I'll take freshwater swimming, what about you?