What sfc hasn''t shared, guys, is that he''s been there (in the drink) and with a load of pax.
While you''re mostly on the mark, 412, there ARE plenty of tree-surrounded lakes with little or no beach, and water sure seems like the better option then.
Although nothing takes the place of comprehensive real-time training, sfc, there is excellent printed, eye-opening info on the subject available. PM me if you''re interested.