True Blue Moonrise Swim / Sunrise Swim

Next Swims:
   Thursday 8/22 @ 6am
   (Menomonee Park Aquathon Thursday @ 7:15pm)
   Friday 8/23 @ 6am

Last Swims:
   True Blue Moon Swim Tuesday 8/20 @ 7pm
      Water Temp: 66.4 (-)
      Air Temp:81 & sunny
      Waves: slight chop from south
      Clarity: poor near shore / good further out
      Crew:
         1st wave: Kahuna, Bubba, Jack Frost, Scooby, Sketch, Kristi, Lorraine, David,  Pannini, Capt'n with guest appearance by Liz
         2nd wave: Sir James, The Big Show, Mike, Neo, Gumdrop
      Skin Count: 11
      Suit Count: 4
      Pitsch Count: 10

   Wednesday 8/21 @ 6am
      Water Temp:  65.6 (-)
      Air Temp:  71 & partly sunny
      Waves:  flat
      Clarity: clear
      Crew: Diablo, Gumdrop, Kahuna, Bubba, Showgirl, Nivens McTwisp, Crash,  Jadi, Monika, Jill, Laura, Julie, Capt'n
      Skin Count: 6
      Suit Count: 7
  
Less than ideal water conditions didn't deter the Klode Kru from taking advantage of Tuesday's True Blue Moonrise.  Unlike a Blue Moon which is defined as the "second full moon during a calendar month" a True Blue Moon is defined as "the third full moon during a summer, fall, winter or spring season that has 4 full moons".  The next True Blue Moon will not occur until July 31, 2015.

While the water temps measured in the mid-60's along the shoreline there were pockets of noticeably cooler away from the Klode beach.  If I had to guess I would place these cooler pockets of water closer to 60.  Also noticeable with both our moonrise and sunrise swims were pockets of smelly sea grass washing ashore.  Swimming further offshore (outside of the sandbars) is definitely recommended for a more pristine swimming experience.

Despite the less than ideal conditions a few crew members did log swims at both the True Blue Moonrise swim and this morning's sunrise swim. (Kahuna, Bubba, Gumdrop, Capt'n)

For those that are interested, Thursday evening is the last Aquathon of the year out at Menomonee Park.  Additional details can be found at:  http://www.racedayeventsllc.com/content/aquathon-series-milwaukee

Full Moon Forecast Looking Fantastic

Next Swims:
   Full Moon Swim Tuesday 8/20 @ 7pm
   Wednesday 8/21 @ 6am
   Thursday 8/22 @ 6am

Last Swims:
   Monday 8/19 @ 6pm
      Water Temp:  69.4 (-)
      Air Temp:  74 & Sunny
      Waves:  occasional low roller from south
      Clarity:  crystal clear
      Crew:  Kahuna, Gumdrop, Scooby, Capt'n
      Skin Count: 4
      Pitsch Count: 4

   Tuesday 8/20 @ 6am
      Water Temp:  66.7 (+)
      Air Temp:  64 & sunny
      Waves:  flat
      Clarity: crystal clear
      Crew:  Diablo, Gumdrop, Bubba, Showgirl, Capt'n
      Skin Count: 5

Clear skies have forecasted for the entire day and evening with air temps reaching the mid 80's.  Combine that with the recent superb water conditions and we have all the right ingredients for a fantastic full moon swim this evening.

A few crew members are also exploring dining/drink options for a post swim outing.  Anyone have any suggestions for a nice location with outdoor seating?

Looking forward to seeing everyone this evening!

Full Moon Swim Tuesday

Next Swims:
   Monday 8/19 @ 6pm (?)
   Tuesday 8/20 @ 6am
   Tuesday 8/20 @ 7pm  (Full Moon rise @ 7:16pm)

Last Swims:
   Sunday 8/18 @ noon
   (as reported by Blondie & The Big Show)
      Water Temp: low 70's
      Air Temp:  sunshine & low 80's
      Waves:  light chop from south
      Clarity:  clear
      Crew:  Diablo, Gumdrop, The Big Show, Sir James, AliKat, Thunder, Don Diego, Sketch, Zoom-Zoom, Kristi, Christina, The Anchor, Lorraine, Crash
      Lifeguards:  Blondi, Beefstick
      Skin Count: 10
      Suit Count: 4
      Pitsch (?) Count: 7

   Monday 8/19 @ 6am
      Water Temp: 67.4
      Air Temp:  61 & sunny
      Waves:  flat
      Clarity:  clear
      Crew: Diablo, Gumdrop, Bubba, Eric, Monika, Panini, Capt'n
      Skin Count: 5
      Suit Count: 2

Our dandy swim conditions have continued through the weekend and into the new week.  Diablo is rumored to be interested in swimming this evening at 6pm.  Anyone else interested?  (Please comment if you are...)

Full moon rises Tuesday at 7:16pm.  Anyone interested in a full moon swim?

A Perfect Morning

Next Swims:  Sunday Aug 18 noon, Monday Aug 19 6AM

Last Swim: Saturday Aug 17, 8AM
Water temp: 68
Waves:  Flat as a pancake
Water Clarity:  Crystal Clear
Crew: Lorraine, David, Kahuna, Linda, Kristi, Christina, Drew, John, Big Show, Diablo, Bubba, Cap'n, Patriarch

It couldn't have been better this morning.  We swam at the civilized hour of 8, rather than the god-awful 6.  The water was clear warm and flat and everyone was inspired to swim longer than normal, some went as far as Three Piers (where there are actually four piers, but it makes about as much sense as the names we give to our other landmarks).

Diablo will take over blogging duties Sunday as both Cap'n and I will be gone.  I'm going to my nephew's wedding in Florida and will return next week Thursday.  I'm not sure where Cap'n is headed, he mumbled something about mud wrestling pigs in Iowa, but he'll be back on Monday morning.

Great Swimming Continues

Next Swims:  Saturday August 17, 8AM
Sunday August 18th noon? - both Cap'n and I will be gone so we need someone else to take the lead on Sunday's swim

Last Swims: Thursday 8/15 6PM - Double Dip Double Pitsch Pirates Pizza night
Water Temp: 68
Waves: choppy
Water Clarity: not very good
Crew: Kristi, Sir James, Sketch, Jack Frost, Diablo, Cap'n, Patriarch
Suit/Skin Count: 0/7
Pitsch Count: 8
Extra Large Pizza's consumed: 2

Friday Aug 16, 6AM
Water Temp: 65
Waves: calm
Water Clarity:  finally settling out, much better
Crew: Panini, Monika, Julie, Nivens McTwist, Kristi, Kahuna, Showgirl, Linda, Diablo, Bubba, Cap'n, Patriarch
Suit/Skin Count: 3/9

The swimming has been excellent, come on out while it lasts.

P.S.  I started watching the series "Breaking Bad" on Netflix and there is a character who calls himself Capn Cook, who strangely enough looks and talks and acts a lot like our Cap'n.  Except Capn Cook has a meth lab.  Hmmmmmm..... this could explain a lot.

Double Dip Double Pitsch Pirates Pizza Night!

Next Swims:  Today Thursday August 15, 6PM, followed by (optionally) a Pitsch (or two), followed by a pizza outing to Lisa's (or Pirates Pizza Kitchen or Al Calerone, all good choices

Friday August 16, 6AM
Weekend Swims: TBD - we can discuss tonight

Last Swims:
Thu Aug 15, 6AM
Water Temp:  66
Waves:  Calm
Water Clarity:  Getting better but still stirred up from all the big waves
Crew: David, Kristi, Showgirl, Diablo, Bubba, Cap'n, Patriarch
Suit/Skin Count: 1/6

Wed Aug 14, 6AM
Water Temp: 67
Waves: 2-4 feet
Water Clarity:  terrible
Crew: Kristi, Bubba, Showgirl, Monika, Cap'n, Patriarch
Suit/Skin Count: 1/5

Tue Aug 13, 6PM
Water Temp: 69
Waves: 2-4 ft
Water Clarity: none
Crew:  Sir James, Patriarch, with Showgirl observing
Suit/Skin  1/1

After several days battling wind waves and currents how pleasant and effortless to glide over calm water under clear skies and rising sun.  It was such a nice swim that Diablo proposed a "Double Dipping Day" (sic).  (Having said this, he better show up tonight or face a bombardment of "LOSER!" text messages.)  I'll double down by proposing a (optional) double Pitsch, and the cherry on top will be an outing for pizza.

P.S. I don't know what to say about this other than yikes!
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/weird-wide-web/pacu-the-testicle-eating-fish-found-illinois-lake

Big Waves

Next Swims:  Today, Tuesday August 13th 6PM
Wed, Thu, Fri August 14-16, 6AM

Last Swim:  Tuesday Aug 13, 6AM
Water Temp:  66 on shore, but much warmer further out
Waves:  3-5 ft, with a huge current
Water Clarity:  zero, all stirred up
Crew: Pat, Bubba, Cap'n and Kristi in the water, while Showgirl, Diablo and I watched from shore

Last night's calm water was transformed into a raging caldron of white foam, our first really big waves of the season.  The waves and current were big enough that some of us, including me, decided to be spectators rather than participants.

The most difficult parts are the breakers and undertows near shore.  The worst place to be is on the sandbar just offshore, that's where the waves and undertow are most powerful.  Once past the breakers the swimming becomes much easier.  When going out the trick is to keep moving forward, diving under the whitecaps.  Coming in, it helps to time your exit between the waves and get out when the lake lets you get out.  Don't stand up because the undertow will suck you backwards

We'll be back at 6PM today (Tuesday) to give it another shot.  The wind and waves are expected to diminish somewhat, but they will still probably be big.