Thursday, November 29, 2012

Craziness and More Craziness

Next Swim: ??

Last Swim:  Wed 11/29 7PM under a bright full moon
Water Temp: 39
Waves: Calm
Water Clarity: Excellent
Crew:  Gumdrop with Patriarch observing

The sun, the earth, the moon and Jupiter were in almost perfect alignment last night. If you listened closely (and perhaps with some herbal enchantment) you could hear the waves playing the chords of "Also Sprach Zarathustra".

The beach was quite lovely in the bright moon/Jupiter shine.  The cold inky darkness of the lake could have been deep space and Gumdrop plunged in.  Unlike Dave, he did not find enlightenment and rebirth, but I think he came pretty close to seeing Elvis in his 200 meter journey into oblivion and back.

Speaking of cold water craziness, if you have not yet seen this video that Gumdrop previously posted you should take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tyu1LYfS3Mw&feature=related
Lorraine, if you are reading this, the video was shot in Vancouver, by any small chance do you know this woman?

Even more craziness, I came across this race in Sweden called Otillo where you swim from island to island across an archipelago, run across each island, and then swim to the next island, with 38 ins and outs for a total of 64K, 10K swimming 54K running.  The water temp is 16C (60F) and most competitors wear wetsuits/caps and running shoes throughout.  You can use whatever gear you can carry with you (paddles, fins, etc).  Check out the website (mostly in Swedish, but you get the idea).
http://www.otillo.se 

  

15 comments:

Neo said...

The Otillo event sounds like a lot of fun - I might have to try to do that sometime. For something closer to home, I just registered for the Pointe to LaPointe swim from Bayfield to Madeline Island. It's a 2.1 mile swim in Lake Superior on August 10, 2013. Are any other Crew members planning on doing that swim?

Moondaug said...

Tomorrow anyone? I'm flexible with the timing.

Ben Speed said...

Gumdrop, you're nucking futs!

Patriarch said...

Ryan, I know people who have done the Pointe to LaPointe swim and they loved it. I considered doing it this year, but it's a long way to drive to swim two miles in a wetsuit, especially when there is fantastic Great Lake swimming less than a mile from my house. Although I have to admit to a strong attraction to swimming in the Greatest Lake, I often swam in Superior as a kid when we lived up there. Maybe in 2013, if it's part of a longer vacation up north.

Moondaug said...

Hey Speed, remember the New Years Day Polar Bear Plunge you did with the rest of us? It was about the same distance in colder air and water! Now all of this talk of the pot calling the kettle black makes me wonder if your signing up again this year or interested in a 5K I hear their putting on (at South Shore I think) with a polar plunge afterwards :)!

Kahuna said...

Speed Gun -- Hey! No profanity on this blog. --
Sincerely,
Chuck U. Farley

Patriarch said...

I agree with Kahuna, no profanity is acceptable in the blog. However, I do think profanity is an acceptable and effective way to mentally conquer the pain felt on entering cold water (e.g. "Jesus F***ing Christ, my nuts are frozen!")

Moondaug said...

Frozen nuts you say? My great balls of fire didn't even notice!

Moondaug said...

Here is hoping for the first snow swim of the season tomorrow!

Jeff said...

What's the gameplan for Jan 1

Kahuna said...

At 11:20, gather at the Northern-most end of the Bradford Beach concrete beach house. At 11:45, enter the water. From 11:45 to noon, swim. At noon, emerge and drink Killepitsh. (Did I mention I'm out of town that day?)

P.S.: If you haven't done Santa Rampage before, Sheboygan Santa heartily recommends it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bikefedmke/8280708602/in/set-72157632263176811/

Kahuna said...

Craziness and More Craziness:

(Wyder testified that he ordered Lt. Gum Drop that Diablo "Wasn't to be touched" and the argument gets heated)
Shue: Colonel Wyder, did you order the Code Red Swim?!
Judge Kahuna: You don't have to answer that question.
Wyder: I'll answer the question. You want answers?
Shue: I think I'm entitled.
Wyder: You want answers?!
Shue: I want the swim!
Wyder: You can’t handle the swim! Son, we live in a world that has Lakes, and those Lakes have to be swum by men with guts. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lieutenant Bubba? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom! You weep for Diablo and you curse the Kru. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Diablo’s swim, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my swims, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives! You don't want the swim, because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me in that Lake! You need me in that Lake! We use words like "honor", "code", "loyalty" and “fwah fwah fwah”. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent swimming something. You use them as a punchline! I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it! I would rather you just said "Thank you," and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pull on a swim cap, and swim a mile. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!
Shue: Did you order the Code Red Swim?
Wyder: I did the job that—-
Shue: Did you order the Code Red Swim?!
Wyder: You're goddamn right I did!!

Moondaug said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Moondaug said...

Rumor has it that Capn, be breaking ways with the kru this new years and taking up with some 5k run in the lake, instead of the traditional Bradford Beach plunge. I cant possibly fathom who would want to run in the lake (with shoes to) when one could swim. What kind of grog induced thinkin (or maybe not enough ) is that? Well, I for one have come to the conclusion that I can not settle for a simple wet shoe run in the lake. I don’t know how it can even be called a plunge. Rumor also has it that there is another group (according to Gigi) planning a Klode plunge on New Years day. If anyone has info on this group, please let me know, as I will have to decide which lot to cast me fate with.

Moondaug said...

Date: January 1, 2013 (post apocalypse)

Location: Bradford Beach
Swim Time: Noon
Advance Meeting Time: 11:30 Lake Park Bistro Parking Lot
Beach Arrival Time: 11:45
Beach Meeting Place: directly east of Bradford Beach House

There will be no toe dippin in the lake on the way back from a run for this scurvy sea rat. Unlike some 5K run with some lake prancing patsy toe dippin that some have opted for. Better off without them anyways, I say. The Lady of the Lake demands real sacrifice by real hearties to be appeased. We escaped apocalypse this year, but some would deem it unwise to leave the Lady unsatisfied at the very beginning of the new year. Give me the real thing. The real invigorating passionate full body love bite that only one fully submersed and/or flailing/swimming around in our Lady of the Lakes New Year waters can bestow upon thee. Can you handle the swim? ....what say you?!?!? Arrr ya' in?