Cap'n is the Crazy One, We're Perfectly Sane

Next swims: Today (Wed) 4:30 PM Klode, Tomorrow (Thu) morning 6:30AM Klode

Tomorrow afternoon: 4PM Waikiki, Yes, gentle reader, that would be Honolulu, Hawaii, where Gelaney and I fly tomorrow to begin our tour of four of the Hawaiian islands. Our schedule is packed, but hopefully I'll get a chance to fire off a post or two.

This morning's swim:

Water temp 61 (but the air was 38!, I think that's a record for low air temp on a swim day)

Waves: 3-4 feet, which normally would seem big, but felt tame after yesterday

Water Clarity: cloudy near shore, but very clear 50 meters out (oddly, there is a very clear boundary between the clear and cloudy water, and the clear water is several degrees warmer)

Crew: Gabriel, Cap'n, Patriarch

Tomorrow afternoon on Waikiki, I expect to be warmly greeted by a toasty sand beach decorated with scantily clad mermaids. This morning at Klode, by contrast, we were greeted by several very bundled up ladies, some of whom give us that "you're crazy" look, and a few come right out and say it. Then Gabriel and I point at the Cap'n and cheerfully reply, "No, he's the crazy one, we're perfectly sane, we just hang around to try to keep him from doing something really nuts!".

What a Rush!

This morning's swim:
Water temp - 60
Waves: 4-6ft
Water clarity: sand filled near shore, clear 150 meters offshore
Crew: The Patriarch, Gabriel, Capt'n

This evening's swim:
Water temp - 62
Waves: 6-8ft!!
Water clarity: sand filled near shore, clear 200 meters offshore
Crew: The Patriarch, Capt'n

Wow...what an absolute rush...and a very pleasant surprise today. Despite the big west winds of yesterday and a continued westerly wind today, The Patriarch and I experienced what were certainly the biggest waves of the season...if not ever this afternoon.

As intimidating as 6-8ft waves may sound, I would liken them more as playful giants. We had an absolute blast being pummelled by the waves as we attempted to head out from shore. Attempting to run right through the waves was futile as they would relentlessly bull you over...fortunately though, the spacing of the waves allowed you plenty of time to pick yourself up in time to prepare for the next one.

After being knocked on our asses a few times we quickly employed new strategies as we pillaged and plundered through the waves. We jumped over them...well, it was more like jumping into them...we dove under them...as well as my personal favorite, the chest bump. ...I also did try head butting the waves but I wouldn't recommend it unless you like water up your nose.

Besides our great adventures heading out to sea and the always humorous attempts to crawl back ashore as the Lady of the Lake attempts to tug you back out...our actual swims today kind of paled in comparison. So I'll save those tales for another day....

Who Needs Coffee?

Beach: Klode

Water temp: 64

Waves: calm

Water Clarity: Excellent

Crew: Gabriel, Cap'n, Patriarch

Next swims: 4:30PM today, 6:30 AM Tuesday

It's cold, windy, rainy, and dreary. I oversleep. No time to take care of my coffee addiction, just throw on my suit, a shirt and go. When I arrive at the beach ten minutes late, Cap'n helpfully points out that I'm wearing my shirt inside out. The water temp is borderline wetsuit, but we are more worried about how cold it will be when we get out, so we wear wetsuits. Even so the initial plunge wakes me up faster than any shot of caffeine. Once in, its great, I almost overheat in the wetsuit. We swim for a mile or so and then head straight up the bluff to our cars, still wearing our wetsuits. I peel off the wetsuit, jump in the car, and crank the heater. Wide awake and feeling great.

Skin Swims Take the Lead!

Beach: Klode
Water temp: 69
Waves: slight chop from the south
Water Clarity: fantastic
Crew: The Patriarch, Tom, Jack, Lindsey, Gabriel, Robin, Gumdrop, Capt'n
Next Swim: 6:30AM Monday Klode

It's September 27th and our skin swim count just edged past our count of wetsuit swims. It's the first time ever that the skin count has ever held a lead...Amazing! ...of course this is the first year that we've kept a count. ...for some reason though, the accomplishment does feel rare.

I mean, like, what are the chances that at the end of September we would have more skin swims than wetsuit swims? Probably more amazing, is that after the 3 week seize we had in August of sub 50 degree water temps that we've now swam without a wetsuit for 28 consecutive days.

We've been blessed with a great stretch of swimming conditions. Today was no exception. We enjoyed some of the best swimming of the season this weekend. Crystal clear water clarity, sunny skies and warm air temps to go along with comfortable water temps.

...I'd even go so far as to say the water temps were quite accommodating for even for the guys who went skin....not to be confused with the guys who didn't....but I won't be namin' any names here. :)

Going Skin

Beach: Klode

Water temp: 69

Waves: gentle rollers

Water Clarity: Good - cloudy in some spots, clear others

Crew: Lindsey, Brad, Gabriel, Robin, Gumdrop, Cap'n, Patriarch

Next Swim: 11AM Sunday Klode

According to an article in this morning's Wall Street Journal about the Alcatraz Invitational Swim in San Francisco Bay, veteran bay swimmers refer to going without wetsuits as "going skin". Today we went skin for the 54th time this season, tying our count of wetsuit swims. The swimming conditions were just about perfect, we cruised to the rockpile, and Lindsey, Brad and Cap'n went considerably further.

We celebrated a very successful swim season with a cookout at our place, including, of course, some shots of Killepitsch.

End of Season Swim & Cookout, Saturday Noon Klode

Next swims: Today 4:30PM Klode

Tomorrow: we will celebrate a fun and adventurous swim season with a swim at Klode followed by a cookout at my place - 4433 N Woodburn in Shorewood. All are welcome: Anyone who's swum with us or would like to swim with us, or is related to someone who swum with us, or is less than six degrees of separation with someone who swum with us, or anyone who thinks we should be committed. Barack and Michelle, you are welcome too. No need to bring anything.

This morning's swim:

Water temp: 69

Waves: Unexpectedly, we encountered 3 ft waves, which seemed to be building, it could be lots of fun this afternoon.

Water Clarity: stirred up and cloudy again, I recommend swimming from the north end of the beach which is much cleaner and clearer than the areas between the rocks.

Crew: Gabriel, Cap'n, Patriarch

Last night's swim:

Water temp 72

Waves: a little chop

Water Clarity: excellent

Crew: James, Cap'n, Patriarch

Near perfect conditions continue. Although they may not last long, there is one more day of east winds predicted, then strong westerlies for the next few days, which will probably cool the water considerably.

Last night as Cap'n and I walked down the path to the beach we saw James, who had just begun swimming to the north. We swam the same way, thinking we might catch him on his way back. Off the cedar grove we stopped to look for him, and saw him about 100 yards away, swimming directly at us. We assumed he had seen us and was swimming to meet us, but apparently not, because he swam within a foot or so and then jumped in surprise like he had seen a shark. Sorry to have fun at your expense James, but it was quite amusing. You'll get back at us I'm sure.

Just About Perfect

Next swims: Today (Thu) 4:30PM Klode, tomorrow (Fri) 6:30 AM Klode

Last night's swim:

Water temp - 73

Waves: calm

Water clarity: very good

Crew: Cap'n & Patriarch

This morning's swim:

Water temp - 70

Waves: almost calm

Water clarity: excellent, even near shore, the "gunk" is gone

Crew: Robin, Gabriel, Cap'n, Patriarch

The swim conditions are just about perfect. You can swim till you drop in warm, clear, calm water. It might not last long. The persistent onshore winds, which have blessed us with warm water these last two weeks, are predicted to turn around this weekend. Even if they don't, we can't be too far from the end of the swim season, so come out and enjoy it while you can.

We are still hoping to have an end-of-season swim and cookout at noon on Saturday, but the forecast is problematic, and may change the plan. Stay tuned.