Holy Day Swim

 Capt'ns log August 15, 20026 - Noon

 Likely Next Swims:  

 Sat/Sun 8am & noon 

 M-F 6AM, noon, 4:40(?)

  (depends on conditions)

Last Swim:  Saturday August 15th - Noon (Klode)

Water temp: 74

Air Temp: Upper 70's & sunshine

Water Quality:   light chop with diminishing waves

Clarity: cloudy near-shore - crystal clear away from shore

Kru (over three days):  The Birthday Itch, Ala-birthday-mode, Diablo, Kahuna, Wet-Taco, Luna-Lagoona, Capt'n with shore support from Syncro. 

Arrr, gather ‘round ye salty dogs! 🏴‍☠️

Today be a day o’ grand learnin’ and merry makin’! Turns out it be not just any day on the seven seas — nay, it be Itch’s birthday, a holy day fit fer a Beach Pope himself! Coincidence, ye say? Har har, I think not!

And if that weren’t enough to fill yer tankard, Ala Mode’s birthday be just a couple o’ tides ago — the sweet icing on today’s swim, ye might say. So raise yer bottles high, mates, and give a hearty cheer:

Happy birthday to Itch and Ala Mode! May yer sails stay full and yer rum never run dry!

Day 3 of Foggy Perfection

  Likely Next Swims:  

    Sat/Sun 8am & noon 

    M-F 6AM, noon, 4:40(?)

    (depends on conditions)

Last Swim: 6am Tues, Wed, Thurs

Water temp: 72.  Yes, SEVENTY-TWO

Air Temp: muggy 70's

Water Quality: flat and amazing

Clarity: crystal

Kru (over three days):  TTL, Magic Mike, JT, Heinzle, Mr Anonymous, Lt MJ, Mrs. Hollywood, Luna Laguna, Showgirl,  other randos

It's been an amazing week of flat, clear, foggy swims.

The water has been magically warm, and the fog adds a spooky mystery.  

these photos courtesy of TTL

Full Buck Moon Swim Summary

                        

Duck-Mometer - 69.5

Smart watch-Mometer- 70

Air Temp: 70 and clear

Water Clarity: reflected moon light

Waves: gentle swell

Kru: John, Mike, Moondaug-Gumdrop, Janneke P.S. (henceforward to be known as Moonshine)

Photo credit: Spawn of Mike

As we left our slight trepidations on the shore, a slight cool breeze disappeared into embracing warm swells mixed in full moon beams. The warm water sitting comfortably above the thermocline made for the perfect juxtaposition of warm and cool. Love that sensation. When you heat up, just drop your elbow a little to scoop the refreshing cool. And repeat. A gorgeous full Buck-Moon was enjoyed by all. To moon the moon or not is the question. A respectable reciprocity...

On the way back from South Down Spout, a question about sighting was asked. A suggestion was made to keep the shore in sight till the rock piles are visible again. But be sure to keep a look forward from time to time so you don't ram a rock thick as a Brick (that nick is taken already)- that's one way to get a nickname. Speaking of which, Janneke is game to have a nickname... Moonmar, Moonbeam, Moonshine (?)...my inclination is Moonshine, as she saved a capless bottle of rum, plus her awesome lights in her swim buoy!

Big Bay Adventure Swim

 Likely Next Swims:  

    Sat/Sun 8am & noon 

    M-F 6AM, noon, 4:40(?)

    (depends on conditions)

Last Swim: 6am Wednesday, and maybe noon?

Water temp: 64.5

Air Temp: high 60's?

Water Quality: medium disorganized waves out of the NE

Clarity: NOPE

Kru: Lt. MJ,  Cindy, Showgirl, Mermaid Princess, TTL, Zach, Zach friend 1 and Zach friend 2

Klode was feeling a little ho hum, so we swam at Big Bay this morning. 

It was a rough one, and most slogged out 1000 yard swims, with Lt MJ getting lost on the return trip and doing an extra few hundred.

We'll be back at Klode tomorrow.

photo credit Zach

Photo credit (and subject) TTL

photo credit TTL

Full Moon Swim

                                                                    

Next Full moon swim; Wednesday 7-29, 8:15 pm, (Buck full moon)

The forecast is for warm water, warm clear air, and smooth gentle moon swells. Full moon rises over the lake at 8:32 pm, with a sunset at 8:13 PM. Swim on out and swim in/to the gravity feed pull sway of pulsating waves and shimmering rays. 

S.S. Freaky

Likely Next Swims:  

    Sat/Sun 8am & noon 

    (but also, chop is getting choppy, so who knows)

    M-F 6AM, noon, 4:40(?)

    (depends on conditions)

Last Swim: 8am Saturday, and probably noon

Water temp: 65-75F  it was all over the place

Air Temp: 80's

Water Quality: tiny chop out of the north, then flat, then increasing chop at about 9:30

Clarity: clear

Kru: that's the question.  There were lots of people swimming.  Peeps I remember:  Lt. MJ, Ala Mode, Cindy, Holly, Bass Babe, Magic Mike, NM dude, Mrs. Hollywood, Showgirl, Mermaid Princess, JulieN, Doug, Kim, plenty of other mystery people

Shore Support: Nahid

Photo credit: Holly

It's been a week, hasn't it friends?

Having spent the last few days in Satan’s inferno, we were all stalking air quality sites, desperate for a few good hours in the lake. 

The weather gods smiled upon us and conditions were great this morning.

It was still a roller coaster of water temps and conditions, plus sunshine and clouds.

Anyway, this time of year brings out the fair weather swimmers and triathletes.  There were lots of occasional swimmers at the beach.

With many events in the near future, most people swam long—many to three piers, some even farther.

Mrs. Hollywood logged a shocking 9400 yards.  I’ll do the math for you: that’s 5.3 miles.  Yes. She did that.

When we launched, it was cloudy with tiny ruffles on the water caused by a breeze out of the north.  Later in the swim, the wind died down and the sun came out.  Later in the swim, the clouds rolled back in and significant chop commenced.  During all of that, there were breathtakingly chilly pockets of water interspersed with cool, with warm, and even the occasional TOO warm pocket. 

But what is S.S. Freaky, you ask?  So…. swimming landmarks come and go.  Near three piers there has been a mostly-destroyed orange canoe.  TTL and I saw it totally submerged on Wednesday.  Others saw it on the beach.  Today, Magic Mike, Cindy, and Other Guy dragged it back on shore and saw its name:  S.S. Freaky.  Sadly, we will never know what this canoe or its owners did to justify that name.

July 4th Swim Summary

 Captn's log: July 4th, 2026 - Noon  <location: Big Bay Beach>

NEXT SWIM:  Sunday July 5th - Noon  <location:  likely Klode unless July 4th Fireworks postponed>

SWIM CONDITIONS:

Water Temp: 

• Captn's ToeMometer - 52
• Duck-Mometer - 51
• Itch-O-Meter - 54

Air Temp:  67 & fog

Water Clarity:  crystal clear

Waves: steadily increasing from flat to 1ft+

Kru: Itch, Kahuna, MoonDawg-Gumdrop, Yonica,  Hawaii-4-0, Luna Lagoona, BeachLoaf, Capt'n

☠️ Ahoy, Mateys! Happy 4th o' July to ye all!

'Twas a mighty peculiar day on the shores o' Lake Michigan. The mornin' began as fine as any sailor could hope fer—bright sunshine, calm seas, and air temperatures hoverin' around 80 degrees. But just before our traditional 4th o' July Walk o' the Plank at Big Bay, the Lady o' the Lake had other plans. Out o' nowhere, a thick fog rolled in, the mercury dropped into the 60s, and the shoreline took on a ghostly look worthy o' any pirate tale.

Despite the recent "Ring o' Fire" scorcher that sent landlubbers sweatin' through temperatures in the 90s with enough humidity to float a galleon, the Lady o' the Lake turned her icy shoulder upon us. She drove the water temperatures down into the upper 40s and low 50s, remindin' us who's truly captain o' these waters.

But the Kru be made o' sterner stuff! We remained steadfast and fearless, continuin' to walk the plank and brave the frigid depths without so much as a mutiny.

Now fer Sunday's voyage...

Our plan be to return to Klode, unless tonight's fireworks be delayed on account o' the fog. Should the annual Whitefish Bay fireworks be postponed until Sunday, I'd expect the Whitefish Bay Facebook page to spread the word.

If the Klode fireworks be moved to Sunday, July 5th, we'll set sail from Big Bay instead.

And fer any matey lookin' fer a bit more adventure after the swim, there be whispers throughout the fleet o' a post-swim gatherin' at the Estabrook Bier Garten. Cast yer eyes upon the picture below to spy Sunday's specials, and mayhaps we'll hoist a pint together after conquerin' the cold waters.

Fair winds, calm seas... and may the Lady o' the Lake show us a wee bit more mercy next voyage! ☠️

July Fourth Swim

Details re a July Fourth Swim:  As Klode Beach is closed on July 4th, the Kru's July Fourth Swim will be at noon, at Big Bay Beach.  Forecast water temp is ~55 degrees.  Post swim toast to 'MERECA likely.  

Likely Next Swims:  6am M-F (no guarantees) 

                                            noon M-F (this is hearsay)
                                            8am Sat/Sun, 
                                            noon Sat/Sun

Like a Rock

 

It's Been a Minute

 

 Likely Next Swims:  6am M-F (no guarantees) 
                                            noon M-F (this is hearsay)
                                            8am Sat/Sun, 
                                            noon Sat/Sun

Last Swim: Sat., noon.  

Water temp: 60F (I'm a good luck charm), cooler further out

Air Temp: 70's

Water Quality: Bit o chop from the North

Clarity: pretty clear further out

Kru: WeTac, the Family Laguna, Mr. A, Hardware Hank, Sandy (Beach Name Sandy), Several Young Friends of Sandy (I think their names were Zeph, Kylie, Elena and Maggie), Hawaii 4-O, Spawn of Hawaii 4-O, Diablo, Itch, Peaches, Brick (and probably others I forgot). 

Shore Support: Lots of families on the beach, just enjoying the beach

My only comment is it was great to see lots of familiar faces, and lots of new faces.  

Gang Violence: bird edition

 Likely Next Swims:    6am M-F (no guarantees) 
                                            noon M-F (this is hearsay)
                                            8am Sat/Sun, 
                                            noon Sat/Sun

Last Swim: Fri 6am.  

Water temp: 54-56F

Air Temp: 60's

Water Quality: flat!

Clarity: pretty clear

Kru: Lydia the Tattoo'd Lady, Showgirl,  Lt. MJ, Dragonfly, Ala Mode, Linda the Lamprey, Diablo on the early shift

Shore Support: Annoyed Sand Cleaning Lady

The wave forecast changed from chop to flat, so we went to the beach for what might be the last flat day for a few days.  The air was cool, and TTL measured the water at 55? 56?  Yes, still cold.  Unseasonably cold.

Anyway, Dragonfly and Lamprey swam skin, and undoubtedly Diablo did also.

TTL, MJ, and I suited up (no booties) and headed north to just past the cute chairs.  It was really beautiful.

Shortly after we got back on shore, the beach cleaning heavy equipment arrived.  The driver waited patiently (or not) until we changed and got off the beach.

We watched the process for a little bit.  It will be interesting to see the results tomorrow morning, because it seemed a bit awkward.

While we were watching the sand cleaning drama unfold, there was even more drama between a small flock of teenage ducks and a couple of seagulls.  The gulls made an aerial attack and the ducks responded, and that was the end of it.

Into the Fog

Likely Next Swims:    6am M-F (no guarantees) 

                                            noon M-F (this is hearsay)

                                            8am Sat/Sun, 

                                            noon Sat/Sun

Last Swim: Thurs 6am.  

Water temp: 52-54

Air Temp: low 70's

Water Quality: small swells

Clarity: pretty clear

Kru: Lydia the Tattoo'd Lady, Showgirl, Fyn-Fin, Hollywood, Lt. MJ

Shore Support: no 

Before

It was pretty warm up in the parking lot, but the air got progressively cooler towards the water.  Also, fog.  Also, minor waves/chop.  

But we were there to swim, so we suited up and went north. The water was definitely cooler than yesterday. TTL and I went almost to the rock wall.  Who knows where Fyn-fin and Hollywood went-- it was far, given the cooler water.

Lt. MJ forgot her wetsuit.  She wore her accessories (gloves/boots) and still accomplished an impressive swim.

After

When we started swimming, the fog was delightfully thick and we hugged the shore.  As the swim progressed the fog dissipated, and by the end of the swim it was only visible far off shore.

A Visit to Flatrock

 Likely Next Swims: 6am M-F (no guarantees) 8am Sat/Sun, noon Sat/sun, also I hear that there are often m-f noon swims

Last Swim: Wed 6am.  Also Tuesday 6am

Water temp: 57F

Air Temp: high 50's

Water Quality: flat with rising chop out of the south

Clarity: pretty clear

Kru: Lydia the Tattoo'd Lady, Showgirl, The UnaSwimmer

Shore Support: no 

We had high hopes for a rainy swim, but alas, it was not meant to be.  It rained on the way to Klode.  It rained for the whole walk down the ramp, and then promptly stopped.  We set up camp under the smelly overhang, but it stayed dry.

It looked like there was a slight current out of the south.  We talked about flatrock, and headed that way.

By the time we arrived there, the wind had picked up and there was a slight chop out of the south.  It was enough so that we stood on the adjacent rocks for a moment, and headed home.

FYI, flatrock is about 1200 yards south of Klode, just past the garage-chalet (chalarage?) that is above beach level.

This Saturday: Annual Shipwreck Swim and Shorewood Men's Club BBQ!!

The Appomattox, Shorewood, WI

Important Next Swim:  10:00 AM, Saturday June 13, meet us at the overlook at Atwater Park in Shorewood.

Important Next Meal: Shorewood Men's Club BBQ, Saturday, 11:30 - whenever

Yes, yes, other swims have been happening, but this blog post is to loop you in on one of the hallmark events of the swimming summer:  the Appomattox Shipwreck Swim followed by the Shorewood Men's Club annual BBQ.

The Swim:  We will meet at Shorewood's Atwater Park overlook at 10:00am, Saturday June 13.  Parking can be challenging. Plan accordingly.  Don't be late.  Just kidding-- there is no "late" in swimming.  After a sufficient time, we will proceed down the ramp to the beach.  We will set up camp, carefully assess the waves, wind,  and water temp, and select our attire appropriately.

We will launch and swim out to the shipwreck.  

Haha, we will launch and swim, but there is always some bumbling about, swimming here, swimming there, until someone spots the amazing spectacle of the Appomattox, see above photo.

Haha, who am I kidding. Lower your expectations kids, this is what the shipwreck really looks like:

The Appomattox, Shorewood, WI

Also, if the water isn't clear, all bets are off.

NEVERTHELESS!  Fun will had by all.  Ambitious swimmers will swim additional yardage.  Really ambitious swimmers have been known to swim to the weather buoy.  Ultimately, everyone returns to the beach and heads up to phase 2 of the day, the bbq.  

The BBQ: The food is amazing. The company is great!  Often there is live music.  There is beer!  There is ice cream!  Please join us.  This event is brought to you by swimmers Moondawg and Kahuna, and probably some other dudes.  You can buy tickets there or from Moondaug or Kahuna.

BBQ Deets:
https://www.shorewoodmensclub.org/upcoming-events#!event/2026/6/13/annual-chicken-ribs-bbq-fundraiser

Shipwreck Deets: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Appomattox

Welcome to 2026 - Good Luck....have fun... don't die

Captn's Blog: Sunday May 24th, noon

Likely Next Swims: Monday (Memorial Day) Noon

Water temp: 52

Air Temp:  Mid 60s & sunny with light breeze from SE

Water Quality: very slight chop from south

Clarity: clear

Kru: Itch, Brick, Diablo, Dragonfly 

Shore Support:  Sandy, Beach Loaf, Capt'n

Ahoy Mates!   Welcome to me first Klode adventure of 2026 and me first words of wisdom fer 2026...  "Good Luck... have fun.. don't die".  

ps.  whatcha think of me new hand?  Boy do I have a whale of a story bout that one!  :) 

pps. does the last picture below remind you of any Kru mates?

Beach Hazards

Likely Next Swims: Saturday 12pm, Sunday 10am?, Sunday 12pm

Last Swim: Fri 7am

Water temp: 48?

Air Temp: 50's  with increasing wind

Water Quality: chop out of the south

Clarity: pretty clear

Kru: Lydia the Tattoo'd Lady, Dragonfly, Showgirl 

Shore Support (if you can call it that):  sauna dudes, fox 6 dudes, bobcat dude, and a late-arriving chainsaw dude

The situation.

Okay, well, today's swim fell under the category of, "we got it done."

After a flurry of "running late" texts, things looked promising in the parking lot.

The first obstacle we encountered were the Sauna Dudes hauling an epic amount of gear down to the beach.

The second obstacle was Sand Distribution dude who appeared to be planning to take the entire day to push around a small-ish pile of sand, all while making an atrocious amount of noise.  Backup beeper was an extra bonus.

The third obstacle was a Fox 6 crew (+ big ass vehicle) filming.... who knows what.  They were probably waiting for Sand Dude to stop making noise and that never happened.

We overcome all that.  We suited up, and headed into the small, but annoying chop.  Just making it to picnic table felt like it took forever.  I finally made it to love rock.  TTL, angry that love rock appears to have been moved 100 yards closer to Klode, slogged on to the sewer pipe.  Dragonfly was her usual speedy self.

The return trip was slightly less arduous.

We arrived back at Klode to find the Sand Dude still driving aimlessly and noisily about, Sauna Dude #2 doing a cold plunge IN HIS UNDERWEAR, and Fox 6 still loitering about.

We struggled out of our wet gear.  We struggled into our dry gear.  

As we headed up the ramp, the icing on the cake of annoyance arrived in the form of a dude with a chainsaw.

Accept no substitutes.

It was really quite lovely. 
If you have noise-cancelling headphones.

Swim Now and 60's Will Feel Warm

Likely Next Swims: Saturday 12pm, Sunday 10am, Sunday 12pm

Last Swim: Fri 7am

Water temp: f-ing 46 

Air Temp: 50's and warming

Water Quality: flat as glass

Clarity: crystal clear

Kru: Lydia the Tattoo'd Lady, Lt. MJ, Showgirl 

Shore Support: fearless ducks

The lake is getting hard to resist.  

This morning it was crystal clear and flat as glass.  TTL and Lt MJ swam about 1000yds, and I did a tiny skin swim around the rock pile.

The water temperature was not ideal, but the sunshine and flat water made up for it.

If you've been to Klode recently, you've seen the enormous pile of sand in the parking lot.  That sand has now migrated down to the top of the hill, but has yet to be distributed around the beach.

This sums it up.

New beach geography.

Friendly fauna

Northshore Nancy

 

This is a hard blog to write.  

My good friend, Renee Scherck-Meyer, aka Northshore Nancy, passed away on February 13.  She was 61, and had metastatic breast cancer.

Renee and husband Mark, aka Handyman Hank, started swimming with the Kru in 2015.

Renee had a big, fun, loud, personality.  She used profanity skillfully and with delight. 

She was extremely knowledgeable and extremely angry about our current political situation.  

She lifted heavy weights at the Top Line gym, and danced her heart out with the Bucks Grand Dancers.  She coached aqua-bootcamp for Shorewood Recreation.  

She raised two sons into productive adulthood.  

She and Mark rode in the elite tandem division of the Riverwest 24, some years riding with competitive bad-assery and other years with relaxed bonhomie. They also rampaged with the Santas, tandem-style.

It seems to me that friendship was one of Renee's super powers. I am honored to have been included in that magic tribe, and sad that it ended all too soon.

Mark invites you to celebrate Renee's life on April 26th:

R.I.P. Renee.

Nothing Quite So Enjoyable As A Good Slush Swim

 Last Swim: Sunday noon, February 1st

Water temp: Ice and slush

Air Temp: Cold, judging from the photos

Water Quality: Small, plate-like bergs that turned to slush as you struck them

Clarity: ??

Kru: Itch, Brick, Lydia the Tatooed Lady, Fin Fyn Klodecky, Diablo

Shore support:  Synchro 

*Important note* - I wasn't there.  This blog is based on testimony from Lydia the Tattooed Lady

An intrepid Kru gathered as the air temperature edged into the 20s on Sunday, February 1st.  After initial exploration determined that there was "no way" to get into the Lake between the rocks, Itch, with the aid of Yak Tracks, rigged up a guiding rope leading to the beach South of the barrier.  Climbing over some snow mounds, the Kru found a flat frozen shelf directly on the beach.  It was a dicey business, getting into the water (?) and even more so getting out. 

Gear ranged from full wetsuits to skin (Diablo of course)

Itch pioneers a route.

Negotiating the down climb to the ice shelf for launching.

A beautiful vista

The wide open spaces generated anticipatory excitement about actually getting in.

A closer view of the platelets which TTL said shattered into slush when struck. She enjoyed a 15-minute swim in the cove with Diablo.  Itch and Fin Fyn went "somewhere," and Brick went to "maybe frickin' Love Rock."

Afterwards, hot tea and beers were consumed.  Synchro provided popcorn!