Monday, May 28, 2018

Nature or Nuture?

Next Swim:  TBD, we’re waiting for the water to warm up a bit more before we start daily swims

Last Swims:  Sunday May 27th and Memorial Day
Water Temps: low fifties, variable
Water Clarity:  Very Good - lots of small fish to see
Sunday Crew: Forger, West Coast(?), Moondawg(??), Capt’n, El Jefe, Panini, Showgirl, Handyman Hank, Diablo, Itch, Nanook, Mark, Drangonfly, Kahuna, Sonakahuna, Patriarch
Memorial Day Crew: Mr. Anonymous, Kahuna, Sonakahuna, Panini, Katie, Capt’n, Drangonfly, Showgirl, Handyman Hank, Diablo, Neo, Mitch, Magic Mike, Sir James, Patriarch

How to explain Sonakahuna’s twenty-fifth place overall finish in the Boston Marathon?  And he trained for it while in medical school!  Amazing!  How did he overcome the bad genes and childhood traumas he got from being Sonakahuna?  I mean - can you imagine having a dad like Kahuna?

I can think of only two possible explanations. Maybe Kahuna is NOT his father (hmmmmm - let me think, where was I twenty five years ago?)   Or - more likely - the credit goes to Squeezakahuna - it was she who provided excellent genes and nurturing.  Nature AND Nuture.

After the (relatively) warmer water we had Saturday it was a bit of a disappointment to have a bit colder water Sunday and Monday.  For me it was just barely doable.  But we still had some good swims, and it’s just good to be back on the beach again after a long winter.



Saturday, May 26, 2018

A Most Pleasant Surprise

Next Swims:  Sunday May 27th noon, Memorial Day noon

Last Swim: Saturday May 26th 1PM
Water Temp:  We measured somewhere between 51 and 56 on the beach, but that was basically meaningless. There were a few pockets of very cold water, but mostly the water was much warmer, I would estimate upper 50's at least.  The hot sun and clear sky helped.
Waves: small waves pushing north.
Crew:  Diablo, Capt'n, el Jeffe, Kahuna, Itch, Rick, Handyman Hank, Magic Mike, Nanook,  Gumdrop(??), Drangonfly, Patriarch
Shore support:  Showgirl, Panini, Andrea, Phoenix, Scuba
Note:  I forgot to bring my notebook to the beach, so I may have missed a named or two - sorry!

The best days are the ones you expect to be lousy but turn out great.  I had expected the water to be in the 40's like it was yesterday, too cold for me.  But today was warmer - much warmer away from the rocks.  I felt great and swam much further than I expected, past the birches.  I should have realized it was a little too easy, it was a bit harder coming back against waves and current.  But on my return I was greeted with a warm sunny beach and a shot of Pitsch and now all is right with the world.

Lost & Found Dept:  Drangonfly found a pair of Blue Seventy swim socks    

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Memorial Day Weekend Swim Plans

Memorial Day Weekend Swims:
Saturday May 26th, 1PM
Sunday & Mon, TBD, open to suggestions

Imagine my excitement when I receive this pic from Itch.
Then imagine my disappointment when he texts me a little while later to tell me it was a mistake.  His apology:  “Sorry, but dashed hopes are par for the course....... our bread and butter.”  I hate to admit it but he may be right.  Going to the beach this early in the season with the expectation of warm (or at least bearable) water temp is setting yourself up for disappointment.  Nevertheless the lure of the lake is irresistible.  See you on the beach!

Sunday, May 6, 2018

2018 Swim Season Open

Next Swim:  TBD - there was talk of swimming Sunday, but it’s cold and very rough.  It won’t be long though. Stay tuned

First Swim:  Saturday May 5th 1:30PM
Water Temp: 49
Waves: Calm
Water Clarity: Crystal
Crew:  Drangonfly, Showgirl, Diablo, Itch
Shore Support: Patriarch, North Shore Nancy, Handyman Hank, Squeezashowgirl

There was no plan to swim yesterday.  But start with a warm sunny Spring day.  Mix in brunch with some of the Crew. Season with Bloody Mary’s.  Throw in some “I Dare you to”s.  Top it off with a text from Itch.  Pretty soon we’re headed to the beach.

After the swim we celebrated with some of our favorite beverage.  So the swim season is open.  Though in truth last year’s season never ended.  Itch and Diablo swam all through the winter.  Yes.  Really.
 
As always the beginning of the season inspires dreams of high seas adventures.  I ran into Magic Mike this morning and he told of his plan to swim three events in three Great Lakes in eight days.  And that’s just a warm-up for swimming events in all five Great Lakes.

And If all that doesn’t fire you up, check out Itch and Diablo in their matching wetsuits.  Aren’t they ADORABLE?