It's nearly August... where's that warm water?!?!

Next swims: Sat noon, Sun 8am and 12noon, M-F 6am and 5pm

Last swim: Sat am from 7:30 - 8:00

Water temp: 60, but that it got considerably colder.  

Air temp: 75

Waves: flat

Clarity: really clear, got to watch the bottom for the whole swim

Kru: Showgirl, Mermaid Princess, Lt MJ, Cindy (do you have a swimmer name yet?), Dragonfly Riffraff, Mr. Anonymous, Magic Mike, two triathletes who I did not meaningfully interact with.

ShoreSup: Squeeze o' Showgirl, a third triathlete.

First, a quick note about Friday night's swim. I showed up at 5. Itch was there, and the Lagunas showed up at about the same time. We talked about how there was warm water out there and that it was not far away. Itch and I came to the logical conclusion that we should simply swim out to the warm water. Sunny had a better idea, so Itch and I committed to a 15 minute swim due east in search of the warm stuff. Never found it. 55 degrees on shore; 53 degrees 15 minutes out. This is just a sample of the tantalizingly close warm water. If only!

This (Sat) morning, we all knew it was gonna be cold. But the initial profile of the morning at the beach was pretty idyllic!

I came later than the main thrust of swimmers. Report was 60 in the shallows. But damn if it didn't just seem to get colder the further along you swam. That's why they make wetsuits. Word on the street is that the Kru headed to Bayfield one week from today may be in for some cold water swimming up there. As usual, the west coast of Lake Michigan is good preparation for a swim in Kitchi-gummi. 

Despite the chilly water, everything else about the swim made you glad for your choice to come down to the beach: good company, calm, clear water, abundant sunshine, and that post swim high that, on some mornings, is the strongest impetus to get me outa bed and down to the water. 

Just keep swimming!

Amended time for Thursday July 28: 6:30 a.m.

 Bring your cold water gear!

Calling All Gear!!

 Next Swims: Weekdays, M-F at 6AM, and at 5PM; Sat/Sun noon, and a morning weekend swim as well, usually at 8AM both days (post a comment if you want to encourage or set another time)

Last Swim: 7 AM Wednesday (waited for rain to pass)

Water Temp:  Estimated 57-60.   Cold all the way to the Chairs, as reported. No warm pockets.

Air Temp: 75 ish 

Waves: Heartbreakingly flat

Clarity: ???

Kru: Lt. MJ, Showgirl (in sleeveless wetsuits), New Hampshire triathletes Bess and Jake

Shore Support:  Dragonfly

Rain threatened this morning so I hit the pool and went down to Klode after.

Two swimmers were standing in the shallows and I chatted with them for a few minutes before realizing they weren't regular Klode Kru.  The first thing I said was, "The barnyard is back!"  They were like, "Huh?"  "The smell," I clarified.  Lots on seagulls on the rocks too signaled some kind of carrion.

Bess and Jake turned out to be guests to our beach from New Hampshire, en route from an Ironman on Lake Erie and on their way to the Tri Nationals here in town (near the Art Museum) on the 6th.  

Alas they were a bit put off by the supreme cold bitchiness of Mother Michigan in the moment.  While they had  wetsuits, they did not bring on their trip booties, gloves, or neoprene caps.

Since the Point to La Pointe is also on the 6th, we couldn't offer up any of our gear.  But we came up with as many helpful suggestions as we could:

Since the event is still 10 days off:

• They could order up some gear, or have their own shipped to them from home in NH.
• They could hit up the local surf shop, Lake Effect on Capitol in Shorewood.
• We also suggested they might even have enough time to acclimatize if they keep coming back.
• And definitely to acquire some Mack earplugs

OR....I promised to put the word out through our powerful networks....perhaps anyone who is in town but NOT doing P2LP might loan them some gear.  Bess's feet are 8.5 or small - Jake is a size 10.5/11.  Please share this among Tri Wisconsin and anywhere else.

If anyone has gear lying around that they won't be using that weekend, PM me or leave a comment and I will connect you to the NH crew.  

We wish Bess and Jake and everyone with events that weekend, luck with their training...as well as to all those without events....may all beings everywhere be happy and free.  Namaste.

Saturday Swims: 7, 9 or noon (or all three!)

 Next Swims: Weekdays, M-F at 6AM, and at 5PM; Sat/Sun noon

Swims planned for 7, 9 and noon on Saturday. Take your pick or just live at the beach!

Last Swim: 6AM Friday (plus Sunrise shift, Linda the Lamprey)

Water Temp: 63 but felt colder even with warmer pockets to the north

Air Temp: low 70s

Waves: Flat but northbound current (based on my split times)

Clarity: Pretty decent

Kru: Danny & friends, Showgirl, Lt. MJ, Marion the Librarian, Dragonfly, Newcomer Sue (MJ's friend) and her sister Barb, Handyman Hank

Shore Support:  None, though on Thursday  Tatooed Lady and MJ reported a couple doing "God knows what" under a blanket on the grass up by the bench.  MJ said, "At first I thought it was one person....then I saw another arm..."

Alewives:  Many on the waterline, but now in a more of a dried form than previously

Smell:  Absent or I have gotten used to it

Danny & friends (wetsuits) bashed out 2 miles in short order.  The rest of us (combo of suits and skin)  did Cute Chairs or less.  Much commenting on the cold. Many of the Kru are training for the 2.1 mile Point to La Pointe swim in Lake Superior on August 6th from Bayfield, WI to Madeline Island. This training is a serious business. "No joy til it's over," says Showgirl.

My swim felt particularly long and monotonous though I do feel stronger as the summer wears on.  The first half was more enjoyable with better sun and of course with the current.  It clouded over as I turned and was more of a "slog" (one of our favorite words) back.

Angels & Demons, a Devilishly Good Swim, and Lurking Crocodiles

 

Next Swims: Weekdays, M-F at 6AM, and at 5PM; Sat/Sun noon, and a morning weekend swim as well, usually at 8AM both days (post a comment if you want to encourage or set another time)

Last Swim: 6AM Tuesday

Water Temp: 66.6, but may have been a bit warmer away from the rocks

Air Temp: 75 ish 

Waves: Zip, zero, zilch 

Clarity: Crystal away from the rocks

Kru: Magic Mike, Handyman Hank, Julie/Mermaid Princess, Linda da Lamprey, Mr. A, Angela (I think, if I've got her name right), Kahuna

The reason for the title of this post is the infernal water temp (66.6 on the nose, per the Kahuna 5000), and the fact that I met Angela as I was walking back from my very pleasant morning swim.  (I hope I have her name right.  Appologies if I don't.  It could have been "Angelica.")  And it was a devilishly good swim this morning.

The good news also is the "dead carcus" stench is gone.  Woo-hoo!  The almost bad news is we've got "the green/brown muck" moving towards the beach.  It's not at our main beach yet, but it is south of us, and I could see it gunking up our beach (as it has gunked up portions of Bradford Beach).  Hopefully, the "pea soup muck" won't attack, as wading through a thick mat of that is not an appealing start or finish to a swim.  This morning at the beach, you can smell the muck from the beach south of us, but it's not really a bad smell, at least not yet.

Weirdly, from a distance, the floating gunk mats look like lurking crocodiles.  Or at least they did to me, but I have an "Adventures of Tarzan" mindset:

Maybe it's time I started swimming with my great big knife again.

Slap Me Silly

Next Swims: Sat/Sun noon, and other times, often 8AM; Weekdays, M-F 6AM, and 5PM

Last Swim: 8AM Sunday

Water Temp: 65.5, but may have been a bit warmer away from the rocks

Air Temp: low 70s 

Waves: Wave action, more than choppy, but not big water

Clarity: Not clear

Kru: Magic Mike, Handyman Hank, Julie/Mermaid Princess (I think, if I've got the nom de beach right), Kahuna

Shore Support: Some lady with her friendly shih tzu (gesundheit)

Stench Level: Still pretty noticeable, and not good; bad enough to make one consider swimming at alternative venues

As we walked down to the beach, we were greeted by a solid off-shore easterly breeze, with a light cloud cover, giving the impression that the Gods were letting us have a gentle start ot the day, instead of jolting us awake with a blazing blue sky and blinding full sun.   

Our Lady of the Lake was waiting for us.  As I headed North, it was a mixture of pleasure, but some portion of pain as well.  Up the Lady would toss my entire body, then down I would accerate, so she could give me a good slap.  Again and again up I would go, with my arm rotating sometimes through mostly air as opposed to water, than again "SLAP" (but never so bad that I even considered using my safe word).  Let's not even talk about how she tried to gag me (with unexpected waves timed to hit me just as I turned to get a breath).  Ahh, uhh, oww,  the varied pleasures of a Sunday morning swim. 

The trip north took more than 18 minutes, but then the Lady grew bored with me, and when I turned, I was wisked South and ejected in less than 12 minutes.  A fickle, lover.  

Full Moon Swum

Tuesday July 12 @8 pm 

Water Temp:  62
Air Temp: 70

Waves: low rollers 
Clarity: clear
Crew: Janneke, Wetaco, Linda Lamprey, Moondaug, (Blake early shift)

Shore Support; GiGi and freind
Pics; Wetaco 

The pack in formation on high ground descended to the sands for a full moonlit swim. The water temperature was a warm 62, not to cold, and perfect with just a little neoprene. Though Linda the Lamprey goes in skin.   

In the distance a pale moon rises in a shroud of clouds, hurling towards a clear night sky. The first group scouts out as the second redress and makes ready to pursue. All rendezvous at Love Rock and howl at a full bright super buck moon. Janneke and I decide we want more so we forge on to Down Spout. On the way back it is a delight riding the gentle moon waves. 

Before we shed our swimming suits to ascend to dry land again, more than two nipples decide to enjoy the simple freedom of a moon lit night on the beach. As the Whitefish Bay po po encourage us to hurry up, we toast to a beautiful night of full moon swimming.

Tomorrow 6 a.m. (weather permitting) and Dysfunctional Plate

Next Swim: 6 AM Friday (only if weather permitting)

Swim schedule: M-F 6AM, Sat/Sun noon, and other times, often 7 or 8am on weekends.  

Last Swim:  6 a.m. Thursday, 6a.m. Wednesday, Full Moon Swim.

This blog is mostly about the Wednesday and Thursday morning swims.  Regrettably I could not attend the Full Moon Swim, but Linda the Lamprey reported  "gentle swells and moon beams on the water.  The water felt warm and there were lightning bugs on shore when we returned."

Water Temp:  66.7 per Tattooed Lady on Wednesday.  About the same on Thursday though temp not taken.

Air Temp: High 60s/low 70s Wednesday; low 60s and breezy on Thursday

Waves: Pretty flat, slight current from north on Wednesday;  big chop on Thursday

Clarity: Beautifully clear Wednesday; total murk & filth on Thursday especially around the rocks

Wednesday Kru:  Lydia the Tattooed Lady, Mermaid Princess,  Lt. MJ, Cindy,  Showgirl, Dragonfly, Handyman Hank.  Late shift Sandy, Gigi

Thursday Kru:  Early shift, Diablo, Michelle and Mr. Anonymous; 6 a.m. shift, Showgirl, Dragonfly, Magic Mike

Another stunner from TTL on Wednesday:

Wednesday was a "why we swim" day and I made it to Three Piers.  On the return I chased dancing little reflections of  sunlight across the bottom.

I never got the full story, but apparently some kind of verbal altercation between Diablo and TTL as they crossed paths in the water led Diablo to position this plate on the beach for our return:

If you can't read it, don't worry.  

TTL: "It wasn't particularly legible but was ramble about self helpy acceptance stuff."  

Cindy:  "Mermaid Princess found it in the water and said it was about letting go."

MJ:  "I wonder if someone had it made then pitched it into the water like a frisbee as a symbolic gesture of letting go...but unfortunately it came back..."

MJ:  "It's the Dysfunctional Plate."

Thursday was "why most people don't swim" with chilly, murky, disgusting chop.  The sun was bright but the northerly breeze was unpleasantly drafty.  Even so, Magic Mike made it to Mudslide in his apparently effortless way while Showgirl &  I called it at Birches.

The plate was gone on Thursday.

Full Moon Swim

Full moon swim:  Tonight 8 pm, ( 98% full moon)

The forecast is for warm water, warm clear air, and smooth gentle moon waves. Full moon rises over the lake at 8:08 pm, with a sunset at 8:30 PM.  Come out tonight and swim in/to the gravity feed pull sway of pulsating waves, with an after-swim twist of Pitsch if you choose. Or maybe just watch the waves roll and glow in the light of the rising moon and setting sun.  Your choice.

Glorious! (But Smell That Smell!)

 Next Swims: M-F 6AM, Sat/Sun noon, and other times, often 7 or 8am on weekends.

Last Swim:  This post is about the 8 a.m. Saturday swim; I am sure there was a noon swim as well.  Tomorrow's Swim (Monday) is set for 6 a.m.

Water Temp:  69 but "feels warmer" per Mitch-o-meter

Air Temp: low 70s 

Waves: Not totally flat but not choppy either

Clarity: Very murky - bright beige

Kru:  Early shift:  Showgirl, Mr. Anonymous

Late (8 a.m.) shift:  Lydia the Tattooed Lady,  Lt. MJ, Kathy, Cindy,  Kim, Dragonfly, Handyman Hank, Forger, Mr. Bubble

Shore support:  Squeeze o' Showgirl

Again on rounding the path, the truly epic stench assailed us...but subsided as we got to the beach.  Almost everyone went skin.  It was a glorious morning with full-on sunshine, inspiring lengthy swims.  

Emerging onto the shore feeling righteously wrung out, I bury my face in my towel....and OOooh That Smell!  Can't You Smell That Smell!? 

The Smell is embedded from yesterday's swim!  All swimming towels are now in the wash.

Early Swim Sunday 8 a.m. (unless we go at 7:30)

 In addition to the regular noon swim - 

a few folks are meeting at 8 a.m. at Klode. on Sunday - 

That's what we know for sure right now.

Another Stinkin' Great Swim

 Next Swims: M-F 6AM, Sat/Sun noon, and other times, often 7 or 8am on weekends...

Last Swim: Friday 6AM 

Water Temp:  68 - "Warm"  

Air Temp: low 70s 

Waves: Chop, about 1-2 feet

Clarity: Meh

Kru:  Lydia the Tattooed Lady, Mermaid Princess,  Showgirl, Lt. MJ, North Shore Nancy, Handyman Hank, Magic Mike  

Shore support:  Gigi the Triathlete

Another beautiful morning courtesy of TTL:

You can appreciate her art background by the way she whips out these beautifully-framed shots so casually.

The stench hit hard as we rounded the bend of the path.  Guano-tinged Barnyard with overtones of Alewife.  Showgirl said, "Like someone cleaned out the chicken coop and the pig pen."  More like someone cleaned out the chicken coop WITH the pig pen...

The temp was 68 and should have felt warmer.  Given the lack of sun, brooding quality of the clouds, and haze on the horizon I opted for a sleeveless wetsuit. Showgirl, Mermaid Princess, Magic Mike and Handyman Hank all went skin.

I still felt cold.  It usually takes me about 400 yards to warm up and after 374 I felt really cold.  Worse, I was hating the swim.  I rarely hate the swim.  But here I was, like Cher in Clueless, experiencing "an overwhelming sense of ickiness." Was it the lowering sky?   The vaguely-threatening haze? The stench (which seemed to stay onshore, thankfully)?  

"Just chill," I told myself.  "It'll feel better when we get to 500 yards."  It was an arbitrary number, but my reptile brain bought it.  Maybe because at 500 you start counting down (up) to 1,000?  

At 500 you get to the new rockwalls and staircases of what used to be Tree Massacre, New Mudslide and Mudslide.  Before I knew it, Showgirl, MJ, TTL & I were all at the Cute Chairs - Showgirl impressively SKIN.  The Cute Chairs are about 1,000 yards, give or take.

It was my first tagging of the Chairs this season.  I recognized the birches they nestle behind, but didn't even hang around to glimpse the actual chairs.  After fighting into the north wind and chop, there was some very satisfying whooshing back.  

My first 200 after turning was freakin fast.  Then just a lot of freestyle with a little backstroke thrown in.  I encountered the eddy that MJ has often commented on by Sewer Pipe (reminder, just a Pipe named Sewer) where it was Sewer Pipe, swim, swim, swim, swim, swim, still Sewer Pipe!

I simply redoubled efforts, applying the tips from all the YouTube swimming videos I've been watching lately, and finally rounded the rocks to touch bottom in Klode Cove, where TTL was indulging in a post-swim skin swim and MJ was doing a few extra laps to make up 2,000 yards.

If you want to work on technique, here's some inspiration:  Mark Spitz vs. Michael Phelps:

Recreational Water Amusements or... Smells like a Sewer Pipe

Next Swims: M-F 6AM, Sat/Sun noon, and other times, often 7 or 8am on weekends...

Last Swim: Thursday 6AM and Wednesday 5PM  

Water Temp:  66!  Yes.... S I X T Y-S I X!!! 

Air Temp: high 60s

Waves: minor swells with chop increasing

Clarity: cloudy inside the rockpile, clear elsewhere

Kru:  Lydia the Tattooed Lady, Abby, Corryn, Linda the Lamprey, Mermaid Princess,  Showgirl, Lt. MJ, Mr. Anonymous, new swimmer Carrie (?), undoubtedly Diablo as a stealth swimmer

Shore support:  dead fish stinking up the place

After the last few mornings of low 50's water temps, there was lively debate about pool swimming vs. risking the lake.

Good triumphed over evil, and we went to the beach. 

As we headed down the ramp our noses were assaulted by a horrendous smell that seemed like a mash-up of the worst farm smell and.... decaying fish.

But did I mention the water is warm?  Our trust has not been totally won back, so many wore sleeveless wetsuits and headed north to do some awesome longer swims.

Anyway, for morning swimmers, it was the warmest swim of the season.  Many swam past the Two Cute Chairs, though not quite to three piers.

In other news, it appears that the Village of Whitefish Bay is going to install a pool at Klode Park!  Or at the very least, some recreational water amusements, whatever those may be.

Historical Lesson:

And finally, I will briefly address Kahuna's failed attempt to sanitize and suppress the traditional landmark name of the "Sewer Pipe."  Don't fear, new swimming friends, there is no actual sewer pipe, nor (mostly) no actual sewage. 

Long, long ago, shrouded in the mists of time, the founders of the Klode Kru named the cement water outlet just north* of Klode the "sewer pipe."  If you let a little phrase like that put you off lake swimming, then you really should head back to the pool.

The phrase "sewer pipe" is also shorthand for "I'm going to do a short swim" i.e. just swim the distance to the sewer pipe**.  This phrase is often used when the swimmer lacks enthusiasm for the impending swim.  Frequently the swimmer arrives at the sewer pipe, having overcome her or his initial reluctance to swim, and proceeds to swim much further (farther?), often to the consternation of her/his friends who had thought, "oh good, a short swim."

* There is also a south sewer pipe, but that's a farther (further?).  The south sewer pipe also resists attempts to rename it into something more fastidious.

**The corresponding southbound landmark which indicates the swimmer is making a short swim is "picnic table." The picnic table doesn't exist anymore, so you'll just have to take our word for this one, and know that a picnic table swim is just past the first rock wall.

6 a.m. Klode on Wednesday, July 6

 See you there!

6 a.m. Swim tomorrow (Tuesday) at Kode! "Resting Pitsch Face"

 Last Swim: Monday, July 4th, Noon.  

Water Temp:  57, colder about a half-mile south (48?) 

Air Temp: 72?  Cloudy & gray but still beautiful

Waves: choppy with a huge push from the south on the return

Clarity: Pretty clear

Kru:  Lydia the Tattooed Lady, Showgirl & Squeeze o Showgirl, Kahuna, Laguna Mike, Luna Laguna & spawn, Capt'n, Moondaug, Magic Mike, Eric the Lifeguard, Yash (sp?), Jaenneke (sp?), Itch, Diablo, Kim, Danny, Dragonfly, others?

Shore support:  Older lady in her 80s whom we met last year, various adorable fetch-playing dogs

Upcoming Swims After July 4th:  

• Weekdays A.M. at Klode: 6:00 tomorrow.  Sometimes morning swim times vary depending on who is present (and when they have to be at work!) Will make a better effort to post swim times here the night before.  ALL are welcome!
• Weekdays P.M. at Klode:  5:00 p.m.  
• Weekends:  Noon on Saturday and Sunday at Klode.   

First, congratulations again to Kahuna and his glorious Spawn (see yesterday's post!)

On Independence Day, today, the Kru gathered on the rocks just north of the pier at Big Bay.  A bit tricky with limited space, but all found a niche to change in.

Most had some level of neoprene. Luna "Sunny" Laguna impressively swam skin.

We cruised along the unfamiliar landmarks south from the 'beach' - not seen by many of us since last year!  A sewer pipe, vast staircases, a brightly colored kayak stack, and the piece de resistance, a impressive boat launch on an enormous track.  My distance vision is not so good - I think TTL said there was a motorboat on it?

Swimmers commented on the "Wall of Cold Water" about 800 yards to the south where the temperature appeared to drop about 10 degrees.

A Killepitsch toast was drunk courtesy of the Capt'n.  Jannaeke had her first taste of Pitsch since turning 21 in January ("I've had other drinks," she assured us, this was only her first Killepitsch.) She inspired a new phrase, "Resting Pitsch Face."  

Kahuna proposed a project in which we create a portrait of each Klode Kru member....a 'before' and then an 'after' composed of their Resting Pitsch Face.  

A good idea deserving pursuit!

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all [persons] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

JULY 4TH SWIM:  Klode is closed today, so the noon swim today is at Big Bay Park. 

Last Swim: Sunday, Noon.  

Water Temp:  61, colder near the rocks, warmer near the surface, with commonly encountered cold pockets.

Air Temp: 72?  With a pleasant full sun.

Waves: Almost glass

Clarity: Full clear

Kru:  Lydia the Tattooed Lady, Lt. MJ, Mermaid Princess,Laguna, Squeezalaguna, Cindy, Dragonfly, O.G., O.D., Diablo, Cap'n, We'Tac, No Name, Itch, Linda da Lamprey, Dan, Not Dave, Magic Mike, and a slew of other swimmers whose names I didn't catch, or who I've forgotten. 

Upcoming Swims After July 4th:  

• Weekdays:  A.M. at Klode: 6:30 a.m.?  (Would someone with the a.m. group please set a precise time, for the benefit of the KlodeKruKurious?)  P.M. at Klode:  5:00 p.m.
• Weekends:  Noon on Saturday and Sunday at Klode.    

In Other Engagements & Wedding News:  

Occasional Kru members Sonakahuna and Squeezasonakauna were married outside of Stanley Idaho, in a mountain meadow that can only be reached after a mile or so hike, at dawn, last Monday.  

Dr. Sonakahuna and Dr. Squezasonakahuna are honeymooning by hiking the length of Continental Divide Trail over the next several months, and will then re-locate from Boise to Hailey (Sun Valley), Idaho.  Parents of the groom are Kahuna, and SheWhoMustNotBeNamed.