New Year's Day Polar Plunge - Join Us!

 Last Swim/Dip: Saturday 7am - also probably Saturday noon

Next Swims: Sunday noon, Monday - NEW YEAR'S DAY - NOON

Water temp: 39

Air temp: Hi 20's

Water: Calm

Kru: Lydia the Tattooed Lady, Fyn-Fin

Tattooed Lady takes temp

Kayak with Christmas lights

TTL & Fin-Fyn set the bar high for sunrise badassery.

But you too, can be a badass - join the Klode Kru for the traditional thrills, chills, conviviality and kvetching at noon on New Year's Day.  Please note, this is a FREE celebration!  No tickets will be sold, or money change hands.  We will simply enjoy the gifts that Nature has provided.  You may bring your own portable sauna* but be prepared to share!

*Friday's outrage:  The OG Wim Hofer had erected a portable tent (similar to the ice fishing tents that pop up on the Summerfest Lagoon) with a chimney and sauna inside.  He was proposing to charge $250/hour for its use, and as we left the beach (no blog for Friday, sorry) we saw his group of about 8 people coming down the hill.  

I felt that this violated the spirit of the beach, and turned to the Kru's own legal eagle, Kahuna (Esq.) for an opinion.

His response:   "Fun law school exam hypothetical. My answer would be something like this. Bradford Beach is owned by the County. The owner permits others to be on its property. The owner has the authority to prohibit a wide variety of behaviors by users of the beach. So the sheriff could break up the sauna operation. But if a typical beach user uses physical force to move another (such as someone who has set up a sauna) out of the user's way, so that the user can access a portion of the beach, the user has probably committed the tort of assault, and the other would have a theoretical civil tort claim against the user, though he would have difficult time establishing damages. It similar to the hypothetical question I sometimes get about staking down a sheet in a park to watch fireworks, or blocking off space along a parade route."

I was not totally satisfied by this, as I felt it did not answer my question, which is this:  

Is not any beach goer free to wander onto ANY square footage within the public park? Regardless if a "sauna tent" has been erected over it?  

Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

Solstice Swim!

 Last Swim/Dip: Friday 7am

Next Swims: Sat/Sun noon (usually). Most Friday mornings.  Also, there will undoubtedly be a New Year's day plunge....noonish?

Water temp: Nobody took a temp, but likely low 40's

Air temp: Again, 40's, very little wind

Water: Kinds of murky, kind of stinky, with annoying waves

Kru: Showgirl, Lydia the Tattooed Lady, Holly, Marion the Librarian, Dragonfly, Nahid, Rick from Boston, additional Wim Hofer

Shore/Coffee Support:  Suny Luna, Lt. MJ, A La Mode

What better way to welcome the light with a solstice (adjacent) swim?  "When was the solstice?" someone asked as we headed down the hill.

"Yesterday," someone replied.

I, super-nerd, piped in, "9:27 p.m. last night!"

This is relevant because a few minutes later, eager to voice my opinion as to where we should enter the water, I said, "I don't want to go over there (south of the south rocks) because it doesn't get dark fast enough."

Huh? was the general response.

Oh, no, I meant to say, "It doesn't get DEEP fast enough."- Dementia?

"You knew it started with the letter D....your brain just opened the wrong file drawer," supplied Showgirl helpfully.

But I had some sympathy for my brain for suggesting "Dark" as an alternative to deep....the Darkness of the Deep, the cold water immersion experience, the point of no return from which one returns transformed....like we were all now emerging from the Darkness into the Light of the New Year....and you just can't access all that staggering around knee-deep when you have a limited number of seconds to be in the water.

Today's dip, from the classic center of the beach, between the rockpiles, was very satisfying.  As I waded in, the waves began to hit higher and higher - hips, waist, chest - til my feet left the earth and I was magically afloat, aloft - swimming for the first time since I had my screws out!  

Since I knew I'd be in for only a minute or two, it definitely got deep fast enough.

TTL and Holly fully wetsuited up and frolicked and floated beyond the rocks.  Rick from Boston swam boldly out in skin, preparing for a Vermont swim in ice in February.  And Showgirl and Marion joined me in the dip. Nahid also dipped, along with her fellow Wim Hofer.

Welcome to the Light!

Cattle and Sheep DO Mix

 Last Swim/Dip: Friday 7am

Next Swims: Sat/Sun noon (usually). Most Friday mornings.  Also, there will undoubtedly be a New Year's day plunge.

Water temp: Nobody took a temp, but likely low 40's

Air temp: 40F, very little wind

Water: Crystal clear with the slightest of slow swells

Kru: Mermaid Princess, Ala Mode, Showgirl, Carie, Nahid

Shore Support:   Dragonfly

Beach magic.

So it used to be that the cold water immersion folks (aka the Wim Hoffers) would gather at the middle-to-northerly  side of the beach, and the swimmers would gather at the middle-to-southerly side, with very little interaction.

Little by little, inroads were made.  

Smiles and nods occurred, temperatures were exchanged, and water conditions were discussed.  At some point actual conversation commenced.  We started to know some names.

And then, one momentous day, Mermaid Princess crossed over.  

She opened the door, and now, in this cold season, there is probably more dipping/Wim-Hoffing than actual swimming.  (Though please also see the bottom pic...)

Before

During

After

Lest you worry that no swimming is occurring, the below pic is from last Friday, where Holly and Lydia the Tattoo'd Lady swam almost to the chairs:

Snow Swims Begin

Next Swims: weekends usually around noon, weather dependent, post if inquiring

Last swims: Thanksgiving swim and Sunday 11/26/23

Air temps: 50's and low 30's

Water Temps: mid 40's and low 40's

Waves: not much but interesting contours

Clarity: Clear as a bell and cold as hell

Kru: Thanksgiving-Sandy, Brick, Rosie early shift. Itch, Icedaug. And Diablo late shift.

Sunday crew-Itch, Diablo, Brick, Icedaug

Some swam earlier on Thanksgiving so they would still have enough time to give the bird to their family, friends, and guests. Others came and went at a more leisurely pace in prepartion of their fests. All enjoyed and were refreshed.

Sunday was our first snow swim of the season! The talk around the cooler on Sunday was of saunas and Hoffers (said with a Seinfeld sneer). Evidently Mr. A has been seduced by these Hoffers who allegedly now posses a sauna. Which could explain his less frequent sightings lately. And now Diablo seems to be lured by their siren songs. Stay tuned.

So naturally we began to brain storm how we could procure a sauna. One idea was to use existing tepe like structure on beach, drape it with something and make fire. Googling I have discovered one can rent a portable sauna for about $500/hour. Unfortunately lacking the funds, or a treasurer, this seems about as likely as prying Patriarch out of retirement to pimp him out for $100 dollar swims. Or, maybe all the little buttercups can just toughen up? Any ideas are free to post.

We are still looking for Rosies replacemet as she relocates to strange waters in the east. Description as follows;

If you like cold wild swimming

And sliding playing iceberging tag

If you're not into Hoffing

If you have half a brain

If you like swimming in the full moon

In the warm summer lake

Then I'm the one that you've looked for

Swim with me and escape.

Thanksgiving Swim

 Next Swims: Thursday, Turkey day, at Noon

Possible random a.m. swims: M-F 6:30 a.m' ish.

Last Swim: Sunday at Noon

Water Temp: 44.2 per Itch-o-meter

Air Temp: 50 

Clarity: Very nice - 8-9

Waves: Pretty flat

Kru: Itch, Rosie, Diablo, Brick, IceDaug, Library Lady, Showgirl

Shore Support: Squeeze o'Showgirl

I hear that Itch, Diablo, Brick and Rosie continue fairly regular swims so far. The weekend noon times are also still regularly attended. Though Rosie will be leaving us in the near future for stranger waters out East. She will be missed. Perhaps she can start a new franchise with Pannini?

Join us for the traditional turkey swim at noon and work up an appetite. Regale your relatives and company with tales of wild autumn cold water swimming and remind them that they to can jump in the lake. One never knows what one might run into in the lake this time of year. Swimming deer, flocks of wild turkeys keeping their distance from shore, or inquisitive salmon.  

Topics of conversation may include application process and position description for vacancy positions. 

Amazing Conditions*

 Last Swim:  Friday 6:30am

Next Swims: Sat/Sun noon?  Other random swims, usually Friday am

Water temp: High 40's to low 50's

Air temp: 49F, no wind (until after the swim)

Water: Flat. As. Glass.  And clear closer to shore.

Kru: Lydia the Tattoo'd Lady, Mermaid Princess, Holly, Showgirl, Lt. MJ, Fyn-Fin, Linda the Lamprey

Shore Support:   Ala Mode

Photo Credit Fyn-Fin,
who took this pic,
finished putting her gear on,
and zoomed past us.

Well!  If every cold water/cold air swim could be like this, then I do a lot more of them.  

When we arrived at the beach, the sun was rising, the water was perfectly flat, and there was not a breath of wind.

There was still a bit (a lot) of reluctance to exchange our warm layers for the single layer of neoprene, but we did it.

The rewards were great.  

Even as we got ready, the sun was adding warmth.  We got in and headed north.  Some perfect combination of air and sun created amazing clarity, so that all the beach landmarks stood out and seemed oh-so-close.

We had our eyes on the two cute chairs when we turned around.

Back at the beach, a breeze had kicked up, making changing a bit more challenging.  AlaMode acted as my personal wetsuit stripper, for which I will be eternally grateful.

We struggled into our warm clothes, wished we had more of them, and headed up the hill.

Thanks to MJ for the sunrise pics.

*give or take chilly air and water

The Beat Goes On...

Last Swim:  F 7 AM

Next Swims: Sat/Sun noon?

Water temp: 52.5F

Air temp: 45 but brisk breeze made it chillier

Waves: Swells

Kru: Lydia the Tattoo'd Lady, Mermaid Princess, Holly, Ala Mode, Sunny Luna Laguna, Drangonfly

Shore Support:  Lt. MJ

Based on this morning's enthusiastic attendance of 7 Kru members, it would be hard to say the season is dwindling! A 7:27 a.m. sunrise and forbidding waters provided plenty of drama for those of us chalking off at least one November swim.  

People exhibited a variety of coping skills.  TTL donned a full wetsuit and swam to Birches, Holly went sleeveless, and Sunny Luna impressively skinned with her trademark backstroke.  Ala (who recently summited Mt. Kilimanjaro) and and Dragonfly dipped relatively briefly (especially briefly on my part), but I would be remiss to not to shout out a most impressive 15-minute endurance immersion by Mermaid Princess. She calmly reveled in the surge and sunrise view, chatting with each returning swimmer.

Post-swim strategies included winter coats, snow pants, boots, gloves and warm water for washing off the sand.

Photo by Mermaid Princes

MP & Luna chat as TTL grabs the temp

Kru Search & Rescue

Hey, we found what was left of an (alleged) weather research ballon in the Lake this summer, so maybe members of the Kru can get lucky and find this lost research water drone.  

Since the "Little Guy" was last seen off shore in Grafton, my guess is it's on its way to Michigan by now, but you never know.

Moses Parts the Red Sea... and other swimming adventures

Last Swim:  M-F 6:30AM, 5:00PM

Next Swims: M-F 6:30AM, 5:00PM, Sat/Sun 8am & noon

Water temp: 58F

Air temp: low 60's!  (more signs of the apocalypse)

Waves: big swells out of the south

Clarity: no

Kru: Lydia the Tattoo'd Lady, Lt. MJ, Showgirl, random wim-hoffers

Shore Support:  the smoking meditator

This amazing photo was taken by Marian the Librarian on Sunday afternoon.  She bravely encapsulated her phone in a little dry-bag inside her swim buoy, bravely took it out while we frolicked in the waves around the garage, and took a few pics.  As usual, this photo does not adequately capture how wavy it was.

Amazing Sunday photo courtesy of Laura (aka Marian the Librarian) 

TTL (left) Showgirl (right)

But back to the present moment...  morning and afternoon swims have been continuing, if somewhat intermittently. 

Today we met in the parking lot at 6:30am.  The general consensus was that none of us had ever been on the beach at that level of darkness.

Yes it was dark, but it was also bizarrely warm, and that warm air coaxed us into the 58 degree water.  There was just the tiniest hint of light on the southern horizon, and it felt like we were leaving it behind as we headed north.

We swam with the swells and there was a delightful push.

MJ and I turned around at the rock wall, TTL continued further.

We were about at the garage on our return trip when we stopped to watch the sun rise.  The swells were big enough that the sun would appear/disappear/appear/disappear until it finally achieved permanence.

Today.... it's pretty dark at 6:30am

And then... not quite as dark.

My new beach blanket, obvi.

Oh Sure, Let's All Go to the Beer Garden. Psych!

 

Last Swim:  Sunday, Noon

Next Swims: Weekdays 6am & 6pm / Weekend Days 8am & noon

Weather Conditions: 70 & Sunnyish

Water Temp: 68

Waves: Moderately wavey from the southeast

Clarity: Clear away from shore

Kru: Itch, Rosey, Brick, Sandy, Kahuna, We'Tac, Hawaii 4.o, The D0lly Llama, Bakhtiari

Read the below post from the Cap'n.  Oh sure, "let's all go for a swim, let's all go to the beer garden, let's all gather and wish the Dolly Lama Happy Birthday!" Lured by the Pied Piper of Glendale, off we went.  But did the Cap'n show up?  For any of it?  Noooooooooo.  Nevertheless, a good time was had by all.  Including my polka partner Roscoe.  Thanks to Hawaii 4-O for pulling out his phone and his NFL All Access Season Pass, and letting us watch the exciting conclusion to the Packers/Saints game.  Love it! 

  

For those debating swimming into October, note conditions are still surprisingly delicious.  Get some while you can.    

Sunday 9/24 - The Dolly Llama's Birthday swim & social

 Captn's Log Saturday September 23, 2023 - Noon

Next Swims: Sunday 8am & Noon / Weekdays 6am & 6pm

Weather Conditions: 72 & Sunny

Water Temp: 68

Waves: Moderately choppy from south east

Clarity: Clear away from shore

Kru: Itch, Rosey, Brick, Sandy, Kahuna, Wet Taco, OG=GQ, Bakhtiari, Capt'n

**SPECIAL POST SWIM SOCIAL ANNOUNCEMENT**

Sunday 9/24 is the Dolly Llama's birthday.  Join the Dolly Llama for a post swim social at the Estabrook Bier Garten following Sunday's (9/24) noon swim.  If you can't make the swim join us for a drink at Estabrook.  The Dolly Llama should be there by 2pm.

Still Amazing Swimming

Last swim:  6am Thursday (and others, I'm sure)

Next swims: Weekdays 6 a.m and 6 p.m., Sat/Sun 8 a.m. and noon

Water temp: high 60's... STILL!

Air temp: low 50's

Waves: delightful swells

Clarity: no

Kru: Mermaid Princess, Showgirl, Mr. Anonymous, Linda the Lamprey, Flipper Guy, Ala

Both Mermaid Princess and I agreed later that it was touch and go whether we would leave our warm houses to swim today.  It's darker and colder in the morning now... fyi.

But as usual, the rewards were great.

The water is still warm.

The gentle swells pushed us home.

On the return trip the sun escaped the clouds and lit up the shoreline so that every tree and leaf and rock was sharply defined.

Usually by the end of the swim I'm ready to be back on shore, but today I felt like I could have and should have kept on swimming.

These amazing photos courtesy of Mermaid Princess.

The sun peeks out.

Unexpected bonus:  running into Linda the Lamprey as she lef the beach.

Turbulent Conditions

Last swim:  6am Monday

Next swims: Weekdays 6 a.m and 6 p.m., Sat/Sun 8 a.m. and noon

Water temp: high 60's

Waves: big and turbulent

Clarity: nope

Precipitation:  significant

Kru: Lydia the Tatto'd Lady, Mermaid Princess, Showgirl

Ladies and gentlemen, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins....

The word POOL was mentioned, but all it takes is one leader (Mermaid Princess!) and we were at the beach.

The waves were biggish.  The rain was steady.  

We left our gear under the overhang, and scampered into the water.  At first we were just going to frolic.  Once outside the rock piles, TTL suggested swimming north for a bit.  And thus, we went to sewer pipe, then garage.  MP and TTL proceeded to the birches.

All the while, the rain continued.  

I love swimming in the rain.

Before the swim, the air felt chilly.  After,  it felt delightful.

We recombobulated under the shelter (of whatever that structure is), and headed up the ramp.

Captain's Courageous

Last swim:  Sunday, Noon

Next swims: Weekdays 6:15 a.m and 6 p.m., weekend days 8 a.m. and noon

Water temp: 71

Waves: A bit choppy, with a push from the south

Clarity: Some clarity

Kru: I did not make a list, so there's probably some errors and ommissions here list (chime in in the comments if you have corrections):  Itch, Diablo, Brick, Dave, Bobber, Ala, Lydia TTL (triumphantly returned from Big Shoulders), Luna, others, Kahuna

Yesterday, while some of us were home a-bed, or off for a pitifully short swim, our Ted (who despite being on the injured reserve list for most of the season), was off on an odyssey of pain and endurance at Ironman Wisconsin.  His incredible streak stays alive (even though his run splits were perhaps a wee bit slower than years past).  Very impressive.  Congratulations Ted!

Fortunately the Village of Whitefish Bay has organized an event perfectly suited to commemorate Ted's achievement, his accent skills, and for us to cap off the end of summer: 

 

Wavy and Warm

Last swim & Frolic:  6 a.m.  Friday

Next swims:   Saturday/Sunday 8 a.m. and noon, weekdays 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., 

Air: 60-ish  

Water temp: upper 67-ish

Waves: Big waves with breakers

Clarity: no clarity, with a side of shoreline gunk

Kru: Mermaid Princess, Hurricane, Real Canadian, Showgirl, TattooLady, Exchange Student, and two dudes in wetsuits who declined to socialize

Shore support:  One lone Wim Hoffer

We could hear the waves from the parking lot, and heading down the ramp there was advance talk about bagging the swim.

Before

MP points the way to RealCanadian

Most of the waves inside the rock piles were breaking.  Waves on the south beach were just biggish, with a few breakers.  Not sure about the north beach.

We put our feet in and felt the warm water.

Mermaid Princess and Exchange Student (welcome Ana!) put on their caps and goggles with no qualms.  Real Canadian followed suit, and they all headed north.  TTL, Hurricane, and I frolicked and chatted in the waves on the south side

After

A good time was had by all.  

Welcome visiting badass swimmer Ana, who is trying out potential new cities here on the Third Coast.  She also swam the Mackinaw Island event with FynFin.

We are wishing warm, flat water to Big Shoulders swimmers, TTL and Mermaid Princess, tomorrow.

Legally Blond

Last swim:  6 a.m.  Thursday

Next swims: Weekdays 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Saturday/Sunday 8 a.m. and noon

Air:  55 to 60? 

Water temp: No thermometer, but my guess 59, at the beach, but way warmer when you got way out past the rocks

Waves: Big, big waves, with lots of whitecaps

Clarity: Zip

Kru: Mermaid Princess, Mr. A, Anaswim!, Kahuna

Shore support:  Small flock (school?) of Wim Hofers

So, someone left on the beach the above painting, so I did a mug shot of Mermaid Princess with it.  She sure looks a lot happier in her mug shot than DJT does in his.  

As I descended down the path towards the beach, my ears told me I was in for a good old rock & roll swim.  Having read Dragonfly's post from yesterday, I had brought the full wetsuit, but I was assured by Mermaid Princess as I arrived at the beach that today it was nothing like yesterday water-temp wise.  So since she and Mr. A were not putting on full wetsuits, neither did I.  Which later brought to mind one of my mother's favorite questions about stupid actions "If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you do it too?"

As at least suggested by the below pictures, there were serious waves and whitecaps, and a tremendous amount of energy surging. in the Lake today.

Definitely "Big Water" today, the biggest I've swam in the Lake this season.  

The getting in and out today was challenging.  As I got ready, I watched Mr. A and Mermaid Princess get into the water, a process that involved them steeling themselves for each wave that hit them, as they made their way cautiously and carefully in.  I resolved to resolutely, without hestitattion, make a impressive run into the water.  The best laid schemes o' mice an' men, gang aft a-gley.  I made my start, then realized "@#$%^ IT'S @#$^ COLD WATER!", and the first big waves that hit me spit me back onto the beach.  MERMAID PRINCESS LIED about the water temp.  And of course, the waves are always bigger, once you're actually in them.  My second attempt at an entrance was far more successful, and once in I managed to swim a nice straight path out to way past the big rock piles, the ones that were hoping for a big wave that would propel me into them (so they could grind me up into tasty little meaty bits for the gulls).  

Once safely way out, I then started off on a nice swim north.  I swam for several minutes, breathing to my east so as to enjoy my view of the morning sky.  Then I stopped to see if I was to downspout yet, and quickly realized "nope, I'm no further north then when I started." Infinity pool conditions for a fraction of the cost.  

It was pleasant swimming way out there (much to the disappointment of the hungry, hungry rocks), swimming along in the big, big swells. Swimming one breath at one elevation with one view, and then swimming the next breath at an entirely different elevation with an entirely different view.  

As usual on Big Water days, the return to the beach involved some navigation and planning.  There was that moment where I was directly between the rocks, and they thought it would be funny, if they and the waves just held me there for a while, to see if would give up and they would get the chance to jointly wack me to bits.  HA!  NOT TODAY ROCKS!

Finally, welcome to newbie Anaswims!  We were a bit worried watching her on her swim back t the beach, as she headed straight toward the south pile of rocks, before correcting just in time.  She's working on her graceful exits from the Lake.  Good luck to her as she heads to San Diego (I think she said for a 10k swim, impressive), and also to all of the Kru who are doing Big Shoulders this weekend.  Post-swim Chicago Dog, Italian Beef Sandwich, China Town Dim Sum, or Deep Dish Pizza?  Or maybe all four?      

Not What I Was Expecting

Last swim:  6 a.m.  Wednesday

Next swims: Weekdays 6 a.m., Saturday/Sunday 8 a.m. and noon

Air:  High 70s, humid, mist

Water temp: 55.... yes, that's right.  Reportedly warmer north of the rocks

Waves: A little bounce from SE

Clarity: bleh

Kru: Showgirl, Lydia the Tattooed Lady, Lt. MJ, Hurricane Swimdy, Fin-Fyn, Faux Canadian, A La Mode, Drangonfly

Shore & lake support:  Wim Hofers, SUPers

"@#$!, You guys!"

TTL shrieked before even putting in the thermometer.  

She pulled it out at 55, it was still going down.

TTL rushing to take the temperature from a different spot, hoping for a better outcome.

People kept drifting down to the beach and exclaiming, "but the Buoy said 69!"

Our Lady of Lake Michigan dearly loves a good joke, and one of her favorites is to suddenly and randomly make the weather buoy look like a liar and an asshole.

We often muse in our heads, on the way down to the water, how far a swim we're going to feel like doing.  1,000?  2,000?  Today, all those plans were swiftly brought to naught.  

Those of us who were skin waded in, splashed around a bit.  Except for Fin-Fyn, who heroically set out around the rocks and promptly disappeared from view.  For a minute we thought she might be missing again!  Would we have to go back in the water to rescue her?  No, fortunately she reappeared before we could even really speculate, having swum a fairly epic 500 yards.

Lt. MJ and TTL had the foresight to bring (and wear) wetsuits and swam the longest.  Lt. MJ came up with a smile, but TTL emerged with a purple brow and scowl that had apparently frozen.

"This is NOT what I came back for," she said, referencing a recent trip to Minneapolis...a grueling ordeal of a trip.

It was freezing, it was stinky, but--some compensation--at least it was beautiful.

                                                    Showgirl contemplates the sunrise & vice versa.

The Dragonfly Whisperer

 Captn's Log Saturday September 3rd - noon

Next swim(s): Monday (9/4) Noon, (week day schedule varying due to daylight...post comment if swimming) 

Weather conditions:  88 & sunny

Water temp: 72

Waves: flat 

Clarity: a wee bit cloudy nearshore

Kru: Itch, Diablo, Kahuna, She who shall not be named, Brick, Sandy, Moondawg-Gumdrop, Bakhtiari, Wet Taco, Bobber, The Big Sbow, Seal Whisperer, Dusterino, Kate, Gigi, Abe, Angela, Capt'n with shore support from The Ostrich Whisperer and Sarah

Another picture perfect day to swim in the lake... and rehydrate afterwards at the Bavarian Bierhaus!  While it has long been rumored that fellow Kru mate Dragonfly (a.k.a. Drangonfly) had this unique talent, those in attendance at today's Bavarian Bierhaus Rehydration event were all amazed when Kahuna arrived with a special friend.  (see pictures)  Who knew Kahuna was also a Dragonfly Whisperer!?!?  Apparently this just the tip of the proverbial ice berg for Kahuna.  Next time he promises to showcase his Snake and sea serpent whisperer abilities. 

Post Swim Social Sunday (9/3) at Bavarian Bierhaus

  Captn's Log Saturday September 2nd - noon

**SPECIAL POST SWIM SOCIAL ANNOUNCEMENT**

Join us for a post swim social at the The Bavarian Bierhaus following Sunday's (9/3) noon swim

Next swim(s): Sunday 8am & Noon, Monday Noon,  

Weather conditions:  84 & sunny

Water temp: 70 

Waves: flat 

Clarity: a wee bit cloudy nearshore

Kru: Itch, Diablo, Luna Lagoona, Lagoona, Moondawg-Gumdrop, Birthday Boy Bakhtiari, Wet Taco, Bobber, OG=GQ, Lake-Quatch, Seal Wisperer, J.K. Rowling, Dolly Llama, Hawaii-4-O, Capt'n with shore support from Lil' Lagoona

My apologies for not getting this out sooner...we've been talking about this for a bit now so let's make it happen!  October fest is happening at the Bavarian Bierhaus.  Lots of great grog, food and Umpa-pa-pa bands!  The weather forecast looks great for rehydrating following Sunday's noon swim.  No worries if you can't make the swim.  Feel free to join us after the swim.

If you missed this afternoon's swim...here are a few fun snaps from Flat Rock (a.k.a. Party Rock) compliments of Lake-Quatch.  ...oh, and Happy Birthday to Bakhtiari! 

.  

Some swims and a PSA

 Last swim:  Thursday morning sunrise

Next swims:  Friday morning, 6 a.m., Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m. & noon

Water Temp: uk

Waves: Duck pond

Skies:  Clear clear blue, sunny and perfect

Kru:  A La Mode

Dire buoy reports of giant waves kept most of us away, but not A La Mode, who reported "duck pond" conditions with short waves

In the golden hour, she also spotted this coyote (lurking behind the fire hydrant) perhaps tracking the ducks?

We interrupt this broadcast to bring you the following Public Service announcement:

Hollywood's work team is hosting an end of summer community cleanup at Lincoln park on 9/8 if anyone is looking for a low stakes fun volunteer opportunity! https://www.aclu-wi.org/en/events/community-clean-lincoln-park  The event funs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming - 

And, reporting on a swim from a few days ago - 

Klode Kru South Report, 11 a.m. Sunday, August 27

Water Temp: Had to be at  least 72 per toe temp

Air Temp: Mid 70s

Wind:  NNE

Waves: BIG waves from NNE, also surf

Locale:  Seven Bridges Beach, Grant Park 

Skies:  Clear clear blue, sunny and perfect

Clarity: Can't have everything

Kru:  Dr. Badger, We'taco, Hollywood, Dragonfly

Shore support:  Many volunteers picking up trash

In Klode tradition, we met up at the top of Parking Lot A and proceeded down three of the bridges to the beach.  Major surf coming in over the shallow bottom.  Dr. Badger and We'taco stayed in the longest, swimming and frolicking in this beautiful place.  

Afterward we repaired to Ferch's Beachside Grill at Grant Park Beach for yummy soft pretzels with dipping cheese and hot fudge custard.