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/