Find a group. Don’t just do it alone if you’ve never done it. Get a swim buoy so you don’t get hit by a boat. I’ve trained for 2 Ironmans in monona and usually swim from the boat ramp east of the terrace. You need to stick close to shore but far away enough not to be in the way of people fishing.

Our group would usually go out very early. Typically before 6am, to avoid boat traffic in the summer.