An Addition to Your Reading List

There's a great article about cold water swimming in the January 27th "The New Yorker" magazine titled "Going for the Cold" by Rebecca Mead.

The same article is on the web as "The Subversive Joy of Cold Water Swimming". You might need to be a subscriber to view it, but I'm sure you're all "The New Yorker"  subscribers, right?

Happy Kru Year! An Epic Polar Plunge

Next Swims: contact Diablo, Itch, & Anonymous via comments in the blog, or check back in May

Last Swim: Wednesday, 01/01/20, high noon

Water Temp: COLD

Air Temp: 34 with wind out of the south

Waves: a tiny chop

Clarity: Itch says it's never clear in the winter, and he would know.

Swimming Kru: Mr. Anonymous, Itch, Diablo, Eric, Amelia

Plunging Kru: Panini, Drangonfly, Forger, Moondwg, other randos

Shore Support: Hank, NSN, Showgirl, Squeeze o'Showgirl, We'taco, Squeeze o'We'taco, and welcome Daniel, Squeeze o' Amelia, extra bonus rogue Weiner Dog Mutt and his owner.

This was our most amazing polar plunge yet.  NINE badasses got in the water, and four of those did significant swims of 20-30 minutes. Incredible.

It was sunny and lovely as a surprisingly large crowd gathered in the parking lot. Some of us clearly had no intention of getting in the water, others came prepared.

A large cooler was hauled down to the beach.  (this is forshadowing)

We graciously shared our beach with other groups who came, jumped in, and departed, all while we continued to socialize and enjoy ourselves, just like any ordinary day at Klode.

A new level of preparedness has emerged:  several swimmers brought bag chairs so that they could sit in comfort while changing into their swim outfits. Swimmers previously known for their extreme minimalism (I'm looking at you, Diablo) have embraced this new trend of bringing actual furniture to the beach. History will judge.

The laundry basket is also an interesting new beach accessory.

Those who actually planned to swim, sat in their chairs, carefully applied layers of neoprene, and ultimately made their way into the water.  They swam south.

Those who plunged were less organized.  They ran in, submerged, and ran out.

Ursain swims

Remember that cooler I mentioned earlier?  In a feat of epic benevolence (a feat for feet!), Moondawg brought a cooler of hot water to share with everyone.  It was a tiny bathtub for freezing swimmers to warm their hands and feet.

Panini shared her amazing homemade macarons. Itch shared hot cocoa.  Eric shared marshmallowy treats. Perhaps most importantly, Itch also shared the Killepitsch.

And, if you've read this far, I will reward you with this photo of swimmerly love:

I've got more pics-- add a comment or text me if you want them.