Dumb German's and Wanna Be Pirates

Next Swims:
   Sunday August 31st @ 9am
   Monday September 1st @ 9am

Last Swim:
   Saturday August 30th @ 9am
      Water Temp:  56.4 - 61.2
       Waves: Calm
       Clarity:  clear in most spots
       Crew:  Kahuna, Diablo, Neo, Nanook, Sketch, Don Diego, Zoom-Zoom, TaskMaster, Phil, Monica, Austin, Steve, Kate, Ben, Capt'n with special guest appearance by The Patriarch
      Skin / Suit:  5 / 10
      Pitsch Count:  12

Yah, yah, yah...speakin' wit ze German accent may be easie...but writin wit one es uber suckie hard.  But accordin' to ze Patriarch that's cuz ze German's are dumb.  ...and te add insult to ze injury not only does ze Patriarch think ze German's wit ze accent are dumb but ve also lack reverence, respect and aw.  Yah, yah, yah...was auch immer das bedeutet!

So did ya know in 2006 ve German's founded a Pirate political party?

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

Yah...how bout that...a political party to stand up fer ya right to pillage, plunda and drink Killepitsch!

So think what ya want bout ze German's and Pirates but my reply to ze Patriarch's (Der Spinnt?) belly achin' post bout being "Unworthy" "das kannst du deiner oma erzahlen!"  :)

Annoying

Next swims:  9AM all three days of the Labor Day weekend:
9AM Saturday August 30th
9AM Sunday August 31st
9AM Monday Labor Day September 1st

Last Swims:
Friday August 29th 6AM
Water Temp: 68
Waves:  2 - 3 feet rough and choppy
Water Clarity:  poor
Crew: Adam, Nivens McTwist, Mike, Bubba, Capt'n, Diablo, Showgirl, and me on shore doing stretches to try to loosen up my sore back
Wetsuit/Skin Count: 3/4

Thursday August 28th 6PM
Water Temp: 70
Waves: 1-2 foot choppy
Water Clarity: Poor
Crew: Lorraine, Nanook, Jamie, Capt'n, eRun, Matt, and me on shore
Wetsuit/Skin: 3/3
Pitsch Count: 4

Thursday August 28th 6AM
Water Temp: 68
Waves: 1-2 feet very rough and choppy
Water Clarity: Poor
Crew: Bubba, David, Diablo, Kahuna, Sonnakahuna, Showgirl, Panini, Task Master, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 5/4

Wednesday August 27th 6PM
Water Temp: 71
Waves: 1-2 feet rough and choppy
Water Clarity: Poor
Crew: Jeff, Jamie, Mitch, Steve, Lorraine, Ben, Diablo, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 3/5

The title of today's post might lead you to believe I intend to blog about Capt'n.  That's a logical conclusion, but you would be wrong.  No, today's title was inspired by Ben and his concise description of the swim conditions of the last few days, "Annoying".  That pretty much sums up the rough choppy water we've seen three days in a row.  It's annoying to be tossed around like a rag doll, be slapped in the face and have dirty water shoved down your throat.  It's fun and challenging for a while but it's annoying in the way a good joke is funny the first time Capt'n tells it, but not the seventeenth (Oops!  There I go again.)

The unsettled forecast for the next few days suggests we'll be in for more of the same.  Perhaps it's the Lady of the Lake's revenge for blogging uncomplimentary reports.  I expect Capt'n will also be exacting some revenge soon.

The good news:  the water has been very warm.  

P.S.  Safe travels to India Panini, we miss you already.

Unworthy

Next Swims:
Wednesday August 27th 6PM
Thursday August 28th 6AM & 6PM
Friday August 29th 6AM

Last Swims:
Wednesday 8/27 6AM
Water Temp: 66
Waves:  small swells
Water Clarity: Very Good
Crew: Bubba, Nanook, Diablo, Nivens McTwist, Showgirl, Panini, Capt'n, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 1/7

Tuesday 8/26 6PM
Water Temp: 70
Waves: Calm
Water Clarity:  Excellent
Crew:  Steve, Jamie, Nanook, Ron, Lorraine, Capt'n, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 2/4
Pitsch Count: 6

Tuesday 8/26 6AM
Water Temp: 67
Waves: calm
Water Clarity: Excellent
Crew: Showgirl, Panini, Nanook, Monica, Scooby, Kahuna, Diablo, Bubba, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 1/8

Fantastic swimming in warm clear water.  Stunning crimson sunrises, serene sunsets,  a bald eagle soaring overhead. Cormorants, ducks and gulls. The peaceful gentle soothing swells of a becalmed lake.  Shimmering shades of blue and reflected reds.  Waves almost whispering as they lap ever so languidly on the shore.

So do we come to the beach with respect awe and reverence?  No.  We tell sophomoric sex jokes,  make wannabe pirate talk, speak in fake dumb German accents and whine about how early it is, about work, about cold water even though it's 70.  We are so unworthy of the beauty that surrounds us.  

6AM Comes Much Too Soon

Next Swims:
Tuesday August 26th, 6AM & 6PM
Wednesday August 27 6AM

Last Swims:
Monday 8/25 6PM
Water Temp: 68, but warm and cold pockets, she can't seem to make up her mind
Waves:  Gentle Swells
Water Clarity:  Improving, bottom visible in many spots
Crew: Nanook,Jamie, Steve, Capt'n, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 0/5
Pitsch Count: 5

Monday 8/25 6AM
Water Temp: 70
Waves:  Gentle Swells
Water Clarity:  OK
Crew: Showgirl, Panini, Nanook, Capt'n, Kahuna, Capt'n, Gumdrop, Diablo, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 0/8

I should write something witty and insightful. But it's late I'm tired and I'm depressed because you'd think I'd have a better way to spend my retirement than get up before sunrise to swim with a pathetic bunch of working slobs.  Warning:  I'll be even grumpier at 6AM.  

Note to Self: When Swimming to Big Bay Have a Plan on How to Get Back

Next Swims:
Monday August 25th 6AM & 6PM
Tuesday August 26th 6AM

Last Swims:
Sunday August 24th 9AM
Water Temp: 71
Waves:  1-2 feet choppy
Water Clarity: All stirred up silt and sand
Crew: Dusterino, eRun, Jess, Kyle, Rip Tide, Gumdrop, Jamie, Phil, Geoffrey, Capt'n, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 8/3
Pitsch Count: 10

Saturday August 23rd 9AM
Water Temp: 71
Waves: small swells
Water Clarity: good
Crew: Diablo, Ben, Rip Tide, Monica, Capt'n, Taskmaster, Kahuna, Squeezakahuna, Sonnakahuna, Squeezeasonnakahuna, Gumdrop, Nivens McTwist, Sketch, Lorraine, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 13/2

Have you ever wondered how that agitator Diablo manages to stay out of trouble?  Saturday we found out - Mrs. Diablo bails him out.   On Saturday he and I were having a grand time swimming south and before we knew it we were 3/4 of the way to Big Bay.  We decided to head all the way to Big Bay and along the way Monica joined us.  One problem.  It was too far to swim back, and we had no gear or no plan on how to return.  It would have been a long barefoot walk.  But Diablo did his best to look pitiful and a lady on the beach let him use her cellphone.  And somehow he convinced his wife to pick us up and drive us back to Klode.  She's way too good for him if you ask me.

Capt'n Needs Advice

Weekend Swims:  Saturday August 23rd 9:00AM and Sunday August 24th 9AM

Last Swims:
Friday August 22nd 6AM
Water Temp: 69
Waves: Gentle Rollers
Water Clarity: Excellent
Crew: Showgirl, Diablo, Nivens McTwist, Blane, Kahuna, Capt'n, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 1/6

Thursday August 21st 6PM
Water Temp: 70
Waves: Gentle Rollers
Water Clarity: Good
Crew: Wonder Woman, Lorraine, Mitch, Jamie, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 0/5

Sure it's been foggy and dismal the last couple days but the swimming couldn't be better.  And the morning was brightened considerably by the mystery lady who left a stone cairn on Captn's and my flip flops.  Not to mention an impromptu sojourn to Solly's for post-swim breakfast this morning.

 At the risk of making a complete fool of myself yet again, and with the caveat that my predictions are more wrong than right, I humbly predict that this will be a great swimming weekend.  The current conditions are fantastic and the forecast for the weekend is for warm mostly sunny weather with light onshore winds.  A perfect recipe for some fine swimming, it seems the planets are aligned.

We are hopeful that we can do a longer swim, perhaps even repeating our wonderful Big Bay swim accomplished last Saturday.

Capt'n has a choice tomorrow morning:  He can waste fifty bucks and run the Badgerland Striders half marathon on a hot humid awful day.  Or can he can swim with us for free in the cool refreshing rejuvenating waters of Lake Michigan.  Care to give him any advice?

Warm Water Continues

Next Swim: Friday 8/22 6AM

Last Swims:
Thursday 8/21 6PM
Water Temp: 70
Waves:  small rollers
Water Clarity: Good
Crew: Mitch, Jamie, Lorraine, Wonder Woman, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 0/5

Thursday 8/21 6AM
Water Temp: 69
Waves: ripples
Water Clarity: Very Clear
Crew: Kahuna, Showgirl, Gumdrop, Scooby, Diablo
Wetsuit/Skin: 0/5

Ein Prosit

Next Swims:  Thursday August 21st 6AM & 6PM

Last Swims:
Wednesday 8/20 6AM
Water Temp: 71
Waves: Calm
Water Clarity: Excellent
Crew: Kahuna, Lane, Diablo, Capt'n, Panini, Patriarch, with Showgirl on shore enjoying the sunrise and resting her sore shoulder
Wetsuit/Skin: 1/5

Tuesday 8/19 6PM
Water Temp: 66, but pockets of warmer water
Waves: Calm
Water Clarity:  Excellent
Crew: Kelly, Ron, Lorraine, Showgirl, Capt'n, Patriarch, and Wonder Woman?
Wetsuit/Skin: 1/5

It was nice to see some old friends back in the water again.  I hadn't seen Ron or Kelly on the beach this year. They sure picked a good day to show up.  The water was clear and calm and warm enough for a long swim.

Afterwards we surrendered to the pleadings of Showgirl, who forced us to go to the Biergarten.  As it turned out it was a great choice.  We're accustomed to spectacular sunrises on the lake, but last night we saw a spectacular sunset over the river, accompanied by genuine German oompah band complete with leiderhosen.  Eins zwei drei g'suffa!

Swim Tonight

Next Swims:  Tonight Tuesday August 19th 6PM
Tomorrow Wednesday August 20th 6AM

Last Swims:
Tuesday 8/19 6AM
Water Temp: 66
Waves: Calm
Water Clarity: Very good
Crew: Monica, Panini, Showgirl, Diablo, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 2/3

Monday 8/18 6PM
Water Temp: 66
Waves: Choppy
Water Clarity: Poor
Crew: Showgirl, Panini, Ben, Pat, Sketch, Austin, Lorraine, Capt'n, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 4/5

Alone in the Water

Next Swims:  Today Monday August 18th, 6PM
Tuesday August 19th 6AM

Last Swim:
Monday August 18th 6AM
Water Temp: 66
Waves:  half foot rollers
Water Clarity: poor
Crew:  Showgirl, Panini, Diablo, Kahuna, Capt'n, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 1/5

It was cool dark and foggy as we assembled in the parking lot, and there was not much conversation as we walked the path down to the beach.  Then a very unusual occurrence.  Capt'n, arriving ten minutes late as as usual, was completely silent.  No babbling about banana pants, no sexist commentary in a fake German accent, no crazy talk about sharks (see note below), no pirate talk, nothing.  It was a bit scary, but I have to admit I enjoyed the piece and quiet.

I have no idea why Capt'n does what he does (does anyone)?  But it got me to thinking about our little swim group.  I have always thought of us as a social group as much as a swim group.  A tight knit band of brothers and sisters bound together by a devotion to swimming and a love of Lake Michigan.  A group to share open water adventures and post swim eating and drinking.

But perhaps it's just the opposite.  When you're in the water you're completely isolated. You don't talk to anyone, you don't hear anything.  Just you and your thoughts.  Maybe the real reason we swim is that we are anti-social loners who just want to get away from everyone.  Our post-swim Killepitsch shots are just a pathetic attempt to cure our loneliness with alcohol.

Next time I'm in the water I'm going to shout out, "you guys are a pathetic bunch of losers".  But of course no one will hear me.

Note: http://wgntv.com/2014/08/14/is-that-a-shark-in-lake-michigan/ 

Stark Contrast

Next Swims:
   Monday August 18th @ 6am & 6pm?

Last Swim:
   Sunday August 17th @ 9am
      Water Temp:  65
      Waves:  chaotic 1-3ft
      Clarity: murky near shore / cloudy off shore
      Crew:  The Patriarch, Diablo, Showgirl, Sketch, Don Diego, Zoom-Zoom, Phil, Ben, Kate, Kyle, Jess, Dean, Todd, Angie, Capt'n with Extra Special Guest Appearance by Megan (...who even shared with us her big box of donuts!!)
      Skin / Suit:  1 / 14
      Pitsch Count: 5

Gone this morning were the calm clear water conditions and the sunshine filled blue skies.  Replacing them was a constant breeze from the northeast that brought with it chaotic 1-3ft waves and an abundance of clouds.  Certainly not a picturesque day for a swim like Saturday but it didn't deter this morning's crew of 15 from walking the plank!

Most fought the turbulent conditions and logged a 1 mile swim up to mudslide and back while still others completed the 1.5 mile journey up to the Orange Kayak and back.  To celebrate we toasted our exceptional swim accomplishment this morning with a round of Pitsch followed by brunch at the North Star cafe.  Many thanks to Megan who patiently waited while we completed our 80 minute swim and was still nice enough to share her box of donuts with us!  :)

Monday morning's 6am is a definite "go".  Please post a comment if you're interested in swimming Monday evening.

Check and Check

Next Swim:  Sunday August 17th, 9AM

Conditions permitting, we can repeat today's Big Bay swim.  But if you don't want to go that far you can always do a shorter swim.  We'll have a car at Big Bay to shuttle gear and people as needed.  Once again:  Big Bay one way is 1.2 miles.

Note:  In a previous post I had suggest the Beer Garden after the swim, but it doesn't open until noon.  Any good brunch places?

Last Swim:
Saturday August 16, 9AM
Water Temp: 67
Waves: Calm
Water Clarity: Crystal Clear
Crew: Pat, Mike, Monica, Kahuna, Diablo, Jack Frost, Tod, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 5/3
Special Thanks to the Matriarch for driving us back to Klode from Big Bay.

We set out this morning with two goals.  Swim to Big Bay and get the Big Freaking Tire off the beach. Check and check.

All seven who started with us made it to Big Bay, three swam back and four of us were driven back.  (Tod came later and did a shorter swim.)  Conditions were near ideal.  Warm and sunny day with calm clear relatively warm water.  It's a scenic swim, especially past the mansions near Big Bay.

As you may recall about a quarter mile from Big Bay there is a large sunken wood pier with one post sticking out of the water.  Or it used to.  Because of the high water it's not visible from the surface anymore and of course I just missed it.  Surprise!  Damn!

After the swim we went to work on the tire.  It took a half hour of heavy work to free it from the sand, but then rolling it up the beach was easy.  When we got back to the beach a lady who lives on the bluff approached and asked if we could help her with a tree that had fallen in her yard and she wanted uprighted.  I joked "you couldn't afford us".  She looked me straight in the eye and said "oh yes I could".   Double Damn!

Tod, Patriarch, Diablo, Mike, photo by Kahuna

Kahuna is the Best!

Next Swims:  Saturday Aug 16th 9AM, Sunday August 17th 9AM

The Crew couldn't come to a consensus on whether Saturday or Sunday was better for a Big Bay swim, so what the heck we can do both days (conditions permitting).  It's your option to do one or both days.  My wife Gelaney has graciously agreed to provide shuttle service for people and gear as necessary.

Once again, a Big Bay swim is a swim from Klode Park to Big Bay park, with the option to swim back, jog back, or be driven back.  The one way swim is 1.2 miles.  If you don't want to swim that far you can always do a shorter out and back.

Following Saturday's swim we will again attempt to GTBFTOFB (get the big freaking tire off the beach).  A large tractor tire has either washed ashore or pushed down the bluff and is marring our beautiful beach.  With the help of five or six people we should be able to quickly dig it out and roll it to the beach house where the DPW can take it up the bluff and dispose of it.  You don't need to bring any tools, Kahuna will supply them, but work gloves might be useful.

Last swims:
Friday 8/15 6AM
Water Temp: 67
Waves: Calm
Water Clarity:  still all stirred up silt and sand, but the gunk near the beach is gone
Crew: Showgirl, Ruth, Sarah, Kahuna, Diablo, Nivens McTwist, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 2/5

Thursday 8/14 6PM
Water Temp: 71
Waves:  small chop
Water Clarity: Poor
Crew:  Mitch, Showgirl, Panini, Gumdrop, Sketch, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 1/5

Thursday 8/14 6AM
Water Temp: 70
Waves:  2 foot, very choppy and irregular, difficult swimming
Water Clarity:  Awful, lots of gunk especially near shore
Crew: Nanook, Kahuna, Diablo, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 1/3

These last three swims couldn't have been more different.  I can honestly say that any swim in the lake is an enjoyable swim, but I have to admit that Thursday morning's swim was one of my least enjoyable.  The water was gunky and the waves weren't big but very choppy and irregular, the proverbial washing machine.  The waves pushed arms one way, torso another, dragged feet down, and slapped you in the face when you came up to breath (or take a swallow).  But there was a redeeming highlight:  when we returned to the parking lot a lady mistook Gabriel for Ted.  I laughed all the way home.

Thursday night was much better.  Although it was still a bit choppy, it was much easier swimming.  And to top things off we enjoyed a beverage (or two) at the beer garden.

Friday morning's swim was one of our best ever.  Not only did we have warm calm water, Kahuna greeted us on our return with hot coffee and donuts.  Kahuna, you are the BEST!

Finally, here is a picture that Kahuna took this morning as we left the beach.

Big Bay Bash This Weekend (conditions permitting)

Next Swims:  Thursday August 14th, 6AM & 6PM
Friday August 15th 6AM

Last Swims:
Wednesday August 13 6AM
Water Temp: 67
Waves: Gentle Rollers
Water Clarity: Gunky near shore, but much better further out
Crew: Nanook, Diablo, Nivens McTwist, Sarah, Bubba, Showgirl, Panini, Kahuna, Wonder Woman, Capt'n, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 2/9

Tuesday August 12, 6PM
Water Temp: 70
Waves:  Very large well organized monsters up to six feet high, breaking well beyond the rock piles, good body surfing waves
Water Clarity: none
Crew: Nanook, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 0/2

I already reported Tuesday morning's swim, but I missed Monday night:
Water Temp: Low seventies
Waves: Gentle Rollers
Water Clarity: Good
Crew:  Ben, Lorraine
Wetsuit/Skin: 2/0

What a difference 12 hours makes.  This morning the lake was peaceful gentle and nearly calm.  Last night it was a raging sea of very large and very powerful waves up to six feet high and possibly more.  It took Nanook and me several minutes of waffling before we worked up the courage to wade in.  We didn't actually swim anywhere, but instead played and body surfed in the breakers.  A lot of fun but a bit scary the way the waves knocked us around.

This weekend we hope to do our annual Big Bay swim, conditions permitting.  We'll pick the better day of the weekend, which right now looks like Sunday, but stay tuned.

A Big Bay swim is a swim between Klode Park and Big Bay Park.  As near as I can tell from Google, it's 1.2 miles between the south rock pile at Klode and the concrete block pier at Big Bay, a half-ironman swim.  You have three options for the return trip.  One, you can swim back, making a 2.4 or full ironman swim.  Two, you can run or walk back, 1.5 miles on the sidewalk. Or Three you can be driven back.  We'll have a car to shuttle people and gear as necessary.

Following the swim we'll celebrate at the Biergarten.

Temp's Up Surf's Up

Next Swims:  Today Tuesday August 12th 6PM
Tomorrow Wednesday August 13th 6AM

Last Swim: Tuesday August 12th 6AM
Water Temp: 71, at least ten degrees warmer than the air this morning
Waves:  2 foot rollers
Water Clarity:  Poor near beach, but clear further out
Crew:  Nanook, Wonder Woman, Diablo, Monica, Ann, David, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 3/4

A dreary morning on the beach.  Cloudy, misty and cool.  But the water was warm and the surf was up.  Not the choppy difficult to negotiate waves we saw this past weekend, but well organized consistent two foot rollers, much easier swimming once you get past the breakers.

I'll be back tonight at 6PM. I can't get enough of this warm water and great swimming.  

The Best Time of the Year

Next Swims:  Today Monday 8/11 6PM, I can't be there but if there is interest, please leave a comment and maybe others will join you
Tuesday 8/12 6AM & 6PM

Last Swim:  Monday 8/11 6AM
Water Temp: 71
Waves:  Gentle rollers
Water Clarity:  Not bad for after a storm
Crew: Nanook, Panini, Showgirl, Ruth, Diablo, Capt'n, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 2/5

Last night's strong storms ended just in time for us to get in a great swim.  Five days in a row with water temps above 70 make for some great swimming.  Get out and enjoy it while you can.

A Most Pleasurable Day

Next Swims:  Monday August 11 6AM
In the previous post I had listed a Monday 6PM swim, however I won't be able to make it.  But I suspect others might want a 6PM swim, so please leave a comment if you are interested.

Last Swim: Sunday August 10, noon
Water Temp:  74! Another season record warm day
Waves:  Very Choppy
Water Clarity: Good
Crew: Showgirl, Panini, Gumdrop, Kahuna, Kate, Steve, Diablo, David, Bruce, Nick, Tom, Scott, Crispy, Wonder Woman, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 8/7
Pitsch Count: 11

These last few days have been the best of the season.  70+ degree water and warm sunny days.  Get out and enjoy it while you can, it won't last.

I had an extra special post-swim treat to highlight my day.  While driving home I saw Showgirl and Panini on their bikes ahead of me.  They stopped at an intersection to talk, but there were construction barrels on the road and no way around them.  So I pulled up right behind them and laid on the horn.  They responded with a most unladylike string of epithets and gestures.

All in all, a most pleasurable day.

Here is a picture of Panini summiting the rock pile:

One of the Flock?

Next Swims:  Sunday Aug 10th noon
Monday Aug 11th 6AM and 6PM

Last Swims:
Saturday Aug 9th noon
Water Temp: 73!  warmest of the season so far
Waves:  Heavy chop, difficult swimming
Water Clarity:  Lots of gunk near the rock piles, better away from the beach
Crew:  Kahuna, Christina, Panini, Lorraine, Patriarch
Wetsuit/Skin: 2/3

Friday Aug 9th 11AM at USAT Nationals swim course off Discovery World
Water Temp: 70
Waves: Calm
Water Clarity:  Not good, but the water seemed clean
Crew:  Patriarch, Capt'n, Kahuna, Sketch, Beef Stick, Bubba
Wetsuit/Skin: 0/6

Friday Aug 9th 6AM
Water Temp: 69
Waves: Calm
Water Clarity: ?
Crew: Diablo, Showgirl, Bubba (anyone else?)
Wetsuit/Skin: 0/3

A near perfect day on the beach.  Warm and sunny with 73 degree water.   Because of the USAT Nationals, we only had five swimmers as compared to 25 last Saturday.  The good news is that none of the five are triathletes :)

When we arrived mama duck and six ducklings were paddling about between the rock piles.  When I started to swim they followed me for about 50 yards, swimming alongside no more than five feet away.  What were they thinking?

Water Temp Tops 71!

Next Swims:
   Friday August 8th @ 6am (Klode)
   Friday August 8th @ 11am (USAT Swim at Discovery World Museum)
   Saturday August 9th @ Noon
   Sunday August 10th @ Noon

Last Swims:
   Thursday August 7th @ 6pm
      Water Temp: 71.4+!!
      Waves: light chop from north east
      Clarity:  clear
      Crew: The Patriarch, Kahuna, Nanook, Ele, Panini, Slip-n-Slide, Sketch, Beefstick, Wonderwoman, eRun, Big Ring, Ruth, Tom, Tim, Scott, Colleen, Andy, Robb, Brad, Capt'n
      Skin / Suit: 5 / 14
      Pitsch Count: 16

   Thursday August 7th @ 6am (as reported by Kahuna)
      Water Temp: 65
      Waves: calm
      Clarity: clear
      Crew: Diablo, Showgirl, Dave, Speed Gun, Kahuna and 3 others (Dave? Mitch? whats-her-name? ).
       Skin / Suit: 4 / 3
      

Good News....the water temp has risen above 70!  Several pockets of water encountered during this evening's swim actually felt much warmer than the recorded 71.4.

Not so good news....that great big f-ing tire has won round #1 and remains on the beach.  Never fear though....Kahuna's got a plan for round #2 so stay tuned!

Friday (8/8) the USAT National Swim course will be open for swim practice from 11am-1pm.  The plan is to meet in front of the Discovery World Museum at 11am before we head out for a loop (or two) around the shortened course. 

Food for thought....Compliments of Kahuna

Who knew the USDA is trying to use my “Meat-O-Meter 2000” as a mascot?    

Thermy, the USDA’s mascot, even has an arch nemesis, “BAC” the evil food bacteria: 

The question is, do I need to come up with an animated character, with a similar, catchy name and rhyming catch phrase for my humble lake thermometer, so that we can promote swimming in Lake Michigan to kids and the general public?

Like maybe:  Thermy O’Crap! the Lake Temp Indicator says:  “Your nads won’t get frozen, if you stay in bed dozen!”   

Does Thermy O’Crap! have an arch nemesis?  Maybe Mr. Freeze?

  Or maybe Crypty, the Cryptosporidium? 

70 Degree Water!

Next Swims:
   Wednesday 8/6 @ 6pm?  (post comment if interested)
   Thursday 8/7 @ 6am
   Thursday 8/7 @ 6pm (GTGBFTOTB swim!)

Last Swims:  
Thursday 8/7 @ 6 am:
Water Temp: 65
Waves: calm
Clarity: clear
Crew: Diablo, Showgirl, Dave, Speed Gun, Kahuna and 3 others (Dave? Mitch? whats-her-name?).
Skin / Suit: 4 / 3

   Wednesday 8/6 @ 6am
      Water Temp:  64+
      Waves: <1ft p="" swells="">      Clarity:  Clear
      Crew: Diablo, Kahuna, Sonofkahuna, Bubba, Showgirl, Panini, Nivens McTwisp, Smartass, Wonderwoman, Slip-n-Slide, Linda, Ruth, John, Geoffrey, Capt'n
      Skin / Suit:  7 / 8

   Tuesday 8/5 @ 6pm
      Water Temp: 70!!
      Waves: moderate chop from northeast
      Clarity:  stirred up
      Crew: The Patriarch, Nanook, eRun, Andy, Mitch, Bob, Capt'n
      Skin / Suit:  4 / 3

   Tuesday 8/5 @ 6am
       Water Temp: 65
       Waves: Calm
        Clarity:  Good
        Crew:  Bubba, Showgirl, Panini, Kahuna, Diablo, Monica, Patriarch, Blackstone,
         Nivens McTwist, Smart Ass, David, Taskmaster, Wonder Woman  
         Skin/Suit 6/7        
     

   Monday 8/4 @ 6pm
      Water Temp: 67
      Waves:  rippled surface
      Clarity: Clear
      Crew: The Patriarch, Nanook, Capt'n
      Skin / Suit:  3 / 0

   Monday 8/4 @ 6am
      Water Temp:  62
      Waves: none
      Clarity: Clear
      Crew:  The Patriarch, Diablo, Kahuna, Showgirl, Panini, Gumdrop, Linda, Capt'n
      Skin / Suit:  7 / 1

Great Swimming

Next Swims:  Today Tuesday 8/5 6PM
Tomorrow Wednesday 8/6 6AM
 Thursday August 7th @ 6pm (GTGBFTOTB swim!)

Last Swims:  I'm pressed for time right now, I'll update this later. But suffice it to say that the swimming is great, the water temps in the mid-sixties and lots of swimmers in the water.

Best weekend of the year so far!

Next Swims:
   Monday August 4th @ 6am & 5:30pm
   Tuesday August 5th @ 6am
   (updated!) Thursday August 7th @ 6pm (GTGBFTOTB swim!)

Last Swims:
   Saturday August 2nd @ noon
      Water Temp: 67
      Waves: slight chop
      Clarity: clear
      Crew: The Patriarch, Kahuna, Neo, Nanook, Showgirl, Panini, Ele, Crash, Lorraine, Linda, Anna, Monica, John, Todd, Bill, Chris, Liz, Chris, Andy, Ana, Phil
      Suit / Skin:  15 / 6

   Sunday August 3rd @ noon
      Water Temp: 63 (+/-)
      Waves: none
      Clarity: clear
      Crew: The Patriarch, Diablo, Kahuna, Scooby, Nanook, Showgirl, Panini, Crash, Frost, Don Diego, Mr. Anonymous, Task Master, Scott, Kyle, Jessica, Tim, Ben, Ruth, Anna, Linda, Lorraine, Ashly, Andy, Joe, Capt'n with special guest appearance by Colleen
      Suit / Skin:  17 / 8
      Pitsch Count:  22

Wow!  21 swimmers joined us Saturday and 25 on Sunday...a sure sign that the water temps must be improving.  Also good signs were the duration of some of the Klode Kru swims over the weekend.  Saturday's swim featured 3 Kru mates completing the 2.4 mile swim to Big Bay and back...with two of them swimming skin!  Sunday's swim featured at least 10 Kru mates who completed the 2 mile swim up past Three Piers and back.

For what it's worth, we have now enjoyed six consecutive days with water temps above 60.  Of course there's no guarantee that these 60+ water temps will continue.

Many thanks to The Patriarch & Mrs. Patriarch for hosting this afternoon's most excellent BBQ.  The food was superb, the shots of Pitsch flowed freely and the stories that were told will most likely never be spoken of again.  :)

Thursday evening's 6pm swim has been officially proclaimed as the second ever GTGBFTOTB swim.  Want to know what GTGBFTOTB means?  Just ask Kuhuna.  ...of course shots of Pitsch will be available for all who attend this extraordinary event!

Please Come to Patriarch's Picnic on Sunday

Weekend Swims:  Saturday 8/2 and Sunday 8/3, noon both days

Last Swim: Friday 8/1 6AM

Water Temp: 63 with colder pockets offshore

Waves: Calm

Water Clarity: Very Good

Crew: Panini, Showgirl, Capt'n, Linda, Diablo, Rob, Nanook, Kim, Nivens McTwist, Kahuna, Scooby, Patriarch

Wetsuit/Skin: 5/7

Following Sunday's swim please come to my house for a picnic.  Bring your partner, bring your family, come one and all.  The menu will be brats, burgers, chicken breasts, and all the fixins, plus beer, soda and wine, and of course Killepitsch.  No need to bring anything.  

4433 N Woodburn St, Shorewood