5 - 7 - 5

Next Swims:
   Friday at 5:30pm
   Saturday, Sunday & Monday at Noon

Last Swim:
Friday 08/31 6am
 Water temp: 62.5
Waves: swells out of the south
Clarity: zero
Crew: Kahuna, Magic Mike, Scooby, Showgirl

The sun had not crossed the horizon when we arrived at the beach this morning.

The Kru photographer generously stayed on shore in order to capture this lovely photo, as we headed south around the rock pile. It was a bit chilly for those of us used to the above 70 temps, but we cruised to the south sewer pipe, with a salute to the Love rock.

Kahuna is sponsoring a Kru Haiku contest. (hey! that rhymes!... or... haikru??) As of course you know, "Haiku" is a traditional form of Japanese poetry. Haiku poems consist of 3 lines. The first and last lines of a Haiku have 5 syllables and the middle line has 7 syllables. The lines rarely rhyme.

Here is Kahuna's composition to get us started:

Cold lake slaps me good,
But sun’s there, might as well swim
Here, love shack and back


Here's my submission:
Water quality
May be green, red, or yellow
We swim regardless.

Add your haikru to the comments. The winner will receive a free shot of Killepitsch and have their Lake Michigan swimming dues waived for one month.

Kahuna's Reminder at SNAPTACULAR Morning Swim

Next Swims:
   Thursday (8/30) at 6pm
   Friday at 6am & 6pm
   Saturday, Sunday & Monday at Noon

Last Swim:
   Thursday (8/30) at 6am
      Water temp: DECENT (60.4 shoreline but warmer further out)
      Air Temp: 58 & Sunny
      Waves: rippled surface with gentle 1-2ft waves
      Clarity: clear
      Crew: Diablo, Kahuna, Ziggy, Snap, Mike, Capt'n

Another SNAPTACULAR morning swim.  Pictures compliments of Snap and Kahuna.

Kahuna's Reminder: “sleep on the hillside and watch the sunrise, before summer and one’s oh so brief youth is gone.” 

Swimming Novella

Next Swim:
   Mon-Fri 6am & 6pm

Last Swims:
    Sunday noon
       Water Temp: High 60's
       Waves: small chop out of the south
       Clarity: near zero, plus 10 bazillian dead gnats floating near the shore
       Crew: Magic Mike, Drangonfly, Diablo, Itch, Handyman Hank, Northshore Nancy, 2-Ply, No-Ply, Forger, Showgirl, IceDog, Capn, Ziggy, Liz, Mr. Bubbles, Stickler, Miscellaneous  Triathletes, Eleanor,
Big Show, Davida, Kahuna, maybe more, possibly less
       Shore Support: Squeeze o'Showgirl

    Saturday noon and 1pm
      Water temp: into the 60's
      Waves: building
      Clarity:  cloudy but still blue
      Crew: I wasn't there but I'll take a stab: Patriarch, Itch, We'Taco, WomanIDidn'tRecognize, Kahuna, maybe others,  and Showgirl at the 1-woman 1PM Swim
      Shore Support: Drunk Cap'n

Brief Recap of the Saturday Swim: Swimming happened, and the water was colder. I wasn't there. I arrived right as the noon swimmers were leaving, and did a quick swim to the R.I.P. picnic table, with the waves building out of the south.

More than Brief Recap of the Sunday Swim: 
     Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Tri-Wi Yearly Picnic
        Chapter 2: Fog
        Chapter 3: Swimming
        Chapter 4: Chit-Chat and Complaining
        Chapter 5: Gigantic Plot Twist and Denouement
        Epilog: Tri-Wi Yearly Picnic
        Appendix A: The Crew Guzzles Champagne Courtesy of Itch
        Appendix B: Complaints Department

Chapter 1: In which Ted invites the Tri-Wi peeps for a pre-picnic swim. Swim time was noon, and thus everyone was on the beach at 11:59.

Chapter 2: Strange, mid-day fog made for an eerie, mysterious atmosphere. Warm air, cooler water, yadda yadda weather talk.

Chapter 3: We all jumped into the water and swam south. Surprise plot twist: the Plys arrive, late. (Well, not really late, unless you're a time-obsessed triathlete). Swims of varying distances ensue.

Chapter 4: Swims of varying distances conclude, and lots of idle chit-chat ensues, including discussion about the trillions of gnat carcasses clogging the shore, and bitching about the scarcity of blog posts. No-Ply easily masters the SUP. Idle chit-chat continues, including bafflement regarding where the F some of the swimmers still are.

Chapter 5: The straggling swimmers arrive back at the beach, and a gigantic plot twist is revealed-- some of them swam to Big Bay. And back.

Epilog: Many meet up later at the Estabrook Beer Garden for the Tri-Wi annual picnic. Non-Tri-Wi swimmers attend to eat the food. IceDog refuses to LET IT GO that he wasn't invited to swim to Big Bay. Beer is consumed and more chit-chat occurs. Don Diego makes his triumphant return to the fold. Forger's spicy pickled green cherry tomatoes were the hit of the soiree.

Appendix A: Photo documenting post-swim frivolity from last Thursday nearly lost to the mists of time. In an unexpected turn of events, Itch brought champagne to the beach, and the tiny bubbles delighted everyone.  Well.... almost everyone.

Masterful Group Selfie Courtesy of Patrick

Appendix B: If you were one of the people complaining about the scarcity of blog posts, you better have read this far.  In fact, add a comment proving to me that you did.

SNAPTACULAR Morning Swim!

Next Swims:
   Thursday: 6pm
   Friday: 6am & 6pm
   Saturday: Noon
   Sunday: Noon (followed by Estabrook Bier Garten)

Last Swims:
   Thursday 6am
      Water temp: 70+ (air temp 58)
      Waves: GLASS
      Clarity:  cloudy but Caribbean blue hue
      Crew: Diablo, Mr. Anonymous, Magic Mike, Snap, Ziggy, Capt'n

The motivated crew members braving the later sunrise and cooler morning air temp we treated to SENSATIONAL swim conditions.   Here are a few pics compliments of Snap.

Summer of Love

Next Swims:
   Wed-Friday:  6am & 6pm

Last Swims: Too many to count, probably most that I don't know about, but here are a few that I do:
   Wednesday 6am: 
       Water Temp: still warm according to the frolicking teenage girls
       Waves: TOO BIG FOR ME
       Clarity: zero
       Crew: Showgirl, six screaming teenage girls, and a gigantic seagull who was studying the waves as much as I           was

   Tuesday morning  was probably a rain-out (it was for me)

Okay!  Well, plenty of swimming has been going on, it's just not making it to the blog.  That said, the waves kicked up big-time on Monday, followed by the storm Monday night, and rain Tuesday morning, so swimming is not for the faint of heart.  

I was a bit late to the beach this morning.  The sun was giant and red as I turned toward Klode.  And then I heard the waves. 

You all probably read about the small craft advisory and stayed home. Nevertheless, I took the stairs down to the beach.  It was beautiful, but the gigantic breaking waves were a non-starter for me.  I chit-chatted with the gaggle of teenage girls who were playing on the shore, and they assured me that the water was still warm.

Since I don't have any swimming to report, I'll mention a new swimming landmark for the summer of 2018: the big rock that's just north of the south sewerpipe that's been graffitied with the word "love."  I can't condone defacing the natural beauty of the shoreline, but...  it could be a lot worse. In fact, it adds quite a bit of interest to the south swim.

Small Craft and Arts 'n' Crafts Report: While you wait for the waves to subside, here's something to keep you busy. Without a doubt, you have a surplus of finisher medals, and several of  you have more than a handful of actual medals from the ridiculous number of events you insist on doing.  Our own Handyman Hank has come up with a genius way to put them to use:  Medal Coasters.   See below:

A Swell day for a Big Swim

Next Swims:
   Tuesday-Friday:  6am & 6pm

Last Swims:
   Big Swell Swim - Sunday August 19th, 8:30am (McKinley Beach)
      Water Temp: 73
      Waves: light from the southeast
      Clarity: clear
      Crew:  Sir James, The Big Show, Stickler, Dragonfly, Kahuna, Gumdaug Moondrop, Jack Frost, Magic Mike, Mr. Bubbles, Wet Taco, Capt'n with Special Guest appearances by Showgirl, Panani, El Jeffe, TBD and Hot Stuff.

   Klode After Swell Swim - Noon Sunday
      Water Temp: 75
      Waves: light-to-moderate chop from southeast
      Clarity: clear
      Crew: The Patriarch, Diablo, Showgirl, Panini, Crash, North Shore Nancy, Handyman Hank, Nanook, Neo, Itch, Double Dipper Dragonfly, Forger, Yabba-Dabba Flinstone, Julie, Linda, Capt'n

   Monday August 20th - 6am
      Water Temp: 72 (per Macho-meter-2000)
      Waves: light chop from southeast
      Clarity: clear offshore
      Crew: Showgirl, Panini, Kahuna, Capt'n

Sunday turned out to be a super duper sensational day for the Big Swell Swim.  Participants were treated to 72+ degree water temps, crystal clear water and a few light waves from the southeast.  Congrats to all Kru members who completed the event.  Complete results can be found here: http://onlineraceresults.com/event/view_event.php?event_id=21135

Amazing Conditions in Store for Big Swell Swim?

Next Swims:
   Sunday: Big Swell Swim - McKinley Beach 8:30am start
   Sunday: Klode Swim - noon

Last Swim:
   Saturday 8/18 - noon (Klode)
      Water Temp:  ROASTIN'!!!  (75+)
      Waves: playful easterly 1-2 ft
      Clarity: clear away from shoreline
      Crew: Diablo, Wet Taco, Dragonfly, Capt'n

It's not often that we enjoy water temps on the plus side of 70.  During a good summer we can sometimes count these days with more than than one finger.  Temps on the plus side of 75 on this side of the lake are typically only heard about about following a few rounds of Pitsch...and the actual date  the temp was experienced is usually left open to speculation.  For the record the Macho-meter 2000 measured the water temp today at 72.7 but The Patriarch and Itch can certainly attest to how the Macho-meter -2000 is typically 2-3 degrees below what they measure.  Having just returned from the non-wetsuit legal Steelhead 70.3 the water temp today was considerably warmer than Steelhead's official reading of 76.

Of course a seasoned Lake Michigan swimmer knows better than to forecast lake conditions.  I can certainly attest to how quickly the water temp can plunge from sensational to Baltic in the span of just a few hours and then bounce back to sensational a day later.  ...but if today's conditions persist we'll be in for a dandy of a swim at tomorrow's Big Swell Swim!

Shipwreck Swim Saturday Morning

Next Swims:  
Friday 5:30PM
Saturday 8:30AM Shipwreck Swim:  See info below
Sunday Noon (for those not doing the Big Swell event Sunday morning, or for those Big Swell swimmers who can’t get enoug)

Last Swims:
Thursday 08/16 6pm
Water Temp: 71; nice on surface, some definite cooler water below
Waves: Bit of riffle from the South
Water Clarity: A wee bit clear, but not crystal clear 
Crew:  Cap'n, Patriarch, Hank, Northshore Nancy, Itch, Magic Mike, Mr. Bubble, WeTaco, Kahuna and many others. 
Shore support: Hoardakahuna

SATURDAY SHIPWRECK SWIM 8:30 a.m., Atwater

Ahoy!  Join us for a swim out to the shipwreck off of Atwater Beach.  Meet at 8:30 a.m. Saturday on the deck in the park overlooking the stairs.  There is a lot of great information regarding the ship and the wreck at this website:

http://www.wisconsinshipwrecks.org/vessel/Details/31.  

Also, Joe Stoll (FAA licensed drone pilot, who is helping Shorewood put together a promotional video) will be there to get some drone pictures/video of the swim. I'm hoping for blue skies and clear water, and a goodly number of swimmers.  Invite a friend.  

Kaffee und Kringle

Well, there's been a lot going on this last week, what with caps arriving, pizza and beer being consumed, and rivers being raced.  I guess everybody has been too busy to post a new blog.  I can't give details of all the swims that have occurred this last week, but here's a quick overview/high-points.

First, Congratulations to Sir James for winning the first ever Cream City Classic Milwaukee River Swim Race this last Saturday.  Well done, with an awesome time of 32 minutes, and it's nice to see the Milwaukee River continue to improve.

Second, temperatures in the lake have been unprecedentedly high, with 76 degrees (76 degrees!) being recorded last evening.  Take a look at the temp map for the whole lake; I've never seen it so uniformly red.  So if you aren't swimming now, you're missing it. 

On a similar note, the morning swims have now reached a stage where they are visually a treat.  Walk down the hill watching the sunrise, then dip into to the lake.  If you are a swimmer who only swims with the Kru in the evenings or the weekends, you are really missing it.  And it won't last forever.  So get your perfectly-toned ass out of bed, and come down to the beach one of these mornings.

Like tomorrow (Wednesday) for instance.  Tomorrow's swim coincides with the Fifth Anniversary of my starting my own law office, and is my tradition, I start that anniversary with a swim with and treats for my friends.  Emerge from the lake and have placed in your hands a nice cup of fresh Colectivo Coffee, and your choice of Kringle.  Followed maybe by a round of Pitsch.

See you on da Beach.  --  Kahuna 

P.S.:  Forger indicated yesterday he has spotted a submerged tire, North of Klode Beach, approximate location 50' due East of downspout, then 10' North of that spot.  Tires on the lake bed are possibly out of my jurisdiction, but we are in the process of surveying the situation, and assessing whether a salvage operation (or underwater demolition) is called for.  More details to come. 

E-coli, E-schmoli

Next Swims: M-F 6am and 6pm

Weekend Swims:
Saturday 1PM
Sunday NOON

Last Swims:
Friday 08/10 6am
Water Temp: 70-ish (I didn't measure)
Waves: large chop out of the northeast
Water Clarity: cloudy near Klode, much clearer further north
Crew:  Scooby, Magic Mike, Kahuna, Julie, Showgirl,Flipper Guy

Thursday 08/09 6PM - Official Cap Pickup Swim and Pizza Fest
Water Temp: 70-ish
Waves: chop out of the south
Water Clarity: cloudy, weirdly bubbly on the surface, with large clumps of e-coli bobbing       around
Crew:  Cap'n, Allie, Patriarch, Gumdrop er, Icedawg, Itch, Showgirl, Panini
Shore support: Mr. Bubbles, MichaelNotMike

Last night and this morning we braved the scary red e-coli beach health sign to no detriment.  So far.  Check back in 3-4 days per Lorraine.

Those present last night received their new and improved Kru swim caps, hemmed and hawed, and jumped into the water, swimming south. I arrived at the picnic table, got creeped out by all the bubbles on the top of the water, and headed back. Most swam further.

We fight authority

Modelling our fab red caps

We were chased off the beach by hoards of attacking flies, did a quick shot of Killepitsch, and met up at Lisa's for pizza, where we were joined by El Jefe, Cake Lady, Conner, and the Matriarch. Four extra-large pizzas were consumed, and a good time was had by all.

This morning we looked askance at the red beach health sign, and then jumped in.  There were big choppy waves out of the northeast that pushed us towards shore, but the water was beautifully clear, and you could see the sun streaming through it all the way to the bottom.

River swim tomorrow!

Swim Caps are here! Pirates Pizza Night following THIS Thursday's Swim

Next Swims:
   Monday thru Friday 6am & 6pm

Upcoming Event:
   Pirates Pizza Night Following Thursday (8/9) 6pm Swim - Lisa's Pizza (2961 N Oakland Ave in Milwaukee)

The swim caps are in....and they look AWESOME!!!  Cap distribution and a team photo will be taken at Thursday's 6pm Klode swim.  Following the swim all are welcome to share their favorite Klode swim stories at our Pirate's Pizza Night event.  Lisa's Pizza is located 1 block north of Locust St. on Oakland Ave. (across the street from Walgreens)

Looking forward to seeing everyone Thursday!

Kahuna's Fame Spreads

Next Swims: M-F 6am and 6pm

Last Swim: Tuesday 08/07 6am
Water Temp: 61.9
Waves: large chop out of the northeast
Water Clarity: excellent
Crew:  Forger, Mr.A, Showgirl, Flipper Guy

The sun is noticibly lower in the sky at 6am, which makes for lovely sunrises.

I arrived on the beach a few moments after Forger and Mr. A, who immediately requested a temperature reading. My feet knew right away that the water wasn't 70 anymore.  I told them 62F, which was slightly more optimistic than the actual 61.9F.  Even with my rounded up temp, they weren't thrilled.

Nonetheless, we applied our swimming accoutrements, and got in the water.  There was significant chop out of the northeast, that kept pushing us toward the shore.  I slogged my way to the birches, and, thinking I was following Mr. A on his "short swim", I continued on to the staircase at cedar grove, only to realize I was tailing Forger.

I was hoping the annoying chop would push me easily back to Klode, but it felt more like it wanted to wash me ashore.  When we were all back at the beach we agreed it was another washing machine swim. That said, the clarity was excellent.

I assume all of you know about this Saturday's Cream City Classic Milwaukee river swim, and if not, here's the link.  Some of the Kru are competing in the event. (Not me.) And I'm sure others will be onhand to spectate.

https://www.clubassistant.com/club/meet_information.cfm?c=2454&smid=10718

A few weeks ago in the blog our own Kahuna swam the course and reported on it.  Yesterday, as I lollygagged while listening to WUWM's Lake Effect, I heard Kahuna featured prominently (link below), asking several interesting questions.  Listen here:

www.wuwm.com/post/swimming-milwaukee-river-should-you-jump

Arriving soon...2018 Klode Kru Custom Swim Caps! (Pictures Posted on FB)

Next Swims:
   Friday July 3rd @ 5:30pm
   Saturday & Sunday @ Noon

Last Swim Update (...from Itch...)
   Thursday night swim: 71.3°,
   KRU: Patriarch, Kahuna, Erin, NSN, Sir James,latecomer Mr. A, and a rather upbeat member of the Shorewood mountain bike team.
   SWIM REPORT:   The best swim of the season started out with clear flat warm water and soon morphed into a rather rough annoying chilly pain in the arse( just ask sir james, who was past big bay as conditions turned "unpleasant")  Why do things turn to $#!t the furthest distance from home? Never fails.   Friday pm swim is 5:30.   Comment if that's upsetting anyone, seems most places close early on Friday

Almost as fast as Sir James can swim from Klode to Big Bay and Back...the 2018 swim caps have been printed and are on their way!  Check out the pictures on the Swim Ink FB site and be sure to "LIKE" the Klode Kru post:  https://www.facebook.com/Swim-Ink-1800742246857942/

Stay tuned for Swim Cap Distribution Details...

LAST DAY TO ORDER!!! 2018 Klode Kru Swim Caps

Ahoy Mates!  REMINDER...Please add a comment to this post with your Kru nickname by 11:59pm Wednesday August 1st if you are interested in ordering. 

Here is the 2018 Swim Cap artwork :

Order Details:

• Cost:  $20
• What you get:  2 Klode Kru silicone swim caps sporting our super cool Klode Kru logo and personalized with your Kru nickname. 
• Colors: One cap will be RED and the other ROYAL.
• Estimated Delivery: Thursday August 15th...just in time for the Big Swell Swim on 8/19.