Taitung Living Lake: The Calm Waters of an Artificial Lake and a Triathlon Base

Introduction

At the southern end of Taitung City, close to the Pacific coast, lies a rare stretch of calm water—Taitung Living Water Lake. This artificial lake covers approximately 9 hectares, fed by water diverted from the Taitung River. It is surrounded by lush green lawns, with the majestic silhouette of the Central Mountain Range in the background and the blue Pacific Ocean in the distance. Every weekend morning, triathletes from across the island, open-water swimming enthusiasts, and local morning swimmers trace ripples across this tranquil lake.

Living Water Lake has a very clear identity: it is a venue built for water sports. Unlike the casual water activities found at typical beaches or rivers, Living Water Lake features a well-established management system, regular cleaning and maintenance, and a friendly training environment, making it one of the most important triathlon swim training bases in eastern Taiwan.

Facilities at Living Water Lake

Taitung Living Water Lake is managed by the Taitung County Government, which has continuously improved its facilities in recent years to meet international event standards.

Multiple lifeguard platforms are positioned around the lake, with safety personnel on duty throughout opening hours. The grassy plaza by the lake is an excellent spot for post-training stretching, refueling, and is commonly used by teams for on-site coaching sessions.

An Ideal Venue for Triathlon Training

The biggest appeal of Living Water Lake for triathletes is that it nearly replicates race swimming conditions while removing the unpredictability of waves and strong currents. This allows athletes to focus on refining their technique without being distracted by environmental challenges.

Training advantages at Living Water Lake:

• Wave-free environment: The calm surface makes it an ideal place to practice open-water swimming skills (sighting, positioning at the start, group turns)
• Measured loop distance: The circumference of about 1,500 meters is exactly the swim distance of a standard Olympic-distance triathlon, making training plans easy to design
• Clear sightlines: No large obstructions around the lake, giving lifeguards excellent visibility and ensuring high safety
• Complete supporting facilities: After swimming, athletes can train on bike and run along the lakeside; many teams use the entire Taitung Coastal Park for combined training sessions

Training sessions suitable for Living Water Lake:

• Basic open-water swimming training (500–3,000 meters)
• Triathlon transition practice (T1: swim → bike)
• Open-water sighting technique refinement
• Mass start adaptation training
• Morning aerobic base sessions

A Stage for International Events

Living Water Lake is not just a training ground—it is also a host venue for official competitions. Over the years, the Taitung County Government has actively sought to bring international triathlon events here, including invitational races of various distances and national championships, raising Living Water Lake’s profile beyond Taiwan.

Triathlon-related events at Living Water Lake are typically held in spring and autumn each year. Spring features training races or local invitationals, while autumn hosts larger national events. For athletes attempting the swim leg of a triathlon for the first time, the environment at Living Water Lake can significantly reduce the psychological pressure of their first open-water race.

Practical Tips

• Several vendors near the visitor center offer triathlon gear rentals, including wetsuits, goggles, and swim buoys, so there is no need to bring your own
• Taitung receives abundant sunshine; even for morning training, apply waterproof sunscreen and bring a cap for waiting on shore after your session
• The bike path at Taitung Coastal Park near Living Water Lake is about 15 km long; after swimming, you can switch to cycling along it to complete a full duathlon-style session
• If you plan to race, it is recommended to complete several adaptation sessions at Living Water Lake at least a month in advance to familiarize yourself with race-specific conditions such as surface glare and the position of turning buoys

Conclusion

Taitung Living Water Lake is a combination of nature’s gift and thoughtful human planning. Here, sea, sky, and mountains surround a tranquil lake, and every entry into the water carries Taitung’s distinctive laid-back atmosphere. Whether you are a triathlete preparing for competition or a swimming enthusiast in search of an open-water training venue, Living Water Lake is the most worthwhile body of water to visit on Taiwan’s east coast. Add it to your training map—you will not be disappointed.

Related Reading

• Taitung Living Water Lake Open-Water Training Guide: Training Secrets of the Triathlon Holy Land
• Taitung Living Water Lake Swim Race: Technical Challenges and Race Preparation in an Inland Open-Water Venue
• The Beauty of Taitung Triathlon Festival: Experience the Purest Triathlon Spirit in a Backcountry Paradise
• Swim Conditions at Taiwan Triathlon Events: Technical Differences Between Sea Swimming and Lake Swimming