I asked the LATC group for ideas on where I could find lake swims in the area (for those not quite ready for ocean but wanting open water exposure). Here is what I have so far and I hope to update is as more ideas and info comes in.

Bonelli Lake

http://www.bonellipark.org/Swim Beach.html

Belmont Shores, Long Beach There is a group that swims at 2nd street in Long Bch/Belmont Shores on the weekends Los Alamitos Bay (Long Beach). It's not a lake, but it is a protected open water area (sort of a lagoon or marina). The area is lined with buoys for swimmers, rarely has a current and best of all, no ocean waves and no ocean wildlife. It is the ultimate open water swimming experience that most simulates a lake.

https://sites.google.com/site/longbeachnaplesislandswims/training

Lake Mission Viejo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Mission_Viejo

Castaic Lake (From Memorial Day to Labor Day)

http://www.castaiclake.com/rules_and_regs.html

Thanks to the LATC members who replied to me and assisted in the preparation of this info

William Robinson

My intention with this article, is to show that anyone can do just about anything, once you set a goal, believe you can succeed, and then work toward success.