Hard Core…or Crazy

Early morning swim on tap today. When I woke at 4:30, the skies (or what you could see of them) were clear and the forecast was not calling for any clouds in the coming hours today. I have no idea why I was thinking this, but I was somehow convinced that today the water would be warmer than yesterday, because how in all that is holy could the water be colder than yesterday in August? On the other hand, we had more onshore winds yesterday so there really wasn’t anything to give the temps a boost. But lets try to keep it positive shall we?

I leave the house at 6 and it is indeed a beautiful morning on the beach. There are patches of early morning mist scattered on the sand and the sun has not quite made it over the houses on the bluff.

The water is on the one hand smooth but “peaky.” In other words it is like silk bobbing up and down in a sort of jumbly fashion.

I make it out nearly past the small surf and dive in. What the…?! The water is NOT warmer. It is indeed colder. This honestly feels like January water. It’s got to be below 60.

Surfline reports a 67 degree water temperature. Right now this feels down right insulting. I want to drive to Surfline HQ and speak to someone. But here is the weird thing - I believe there is 67 degree water in this ocean. I mean of course there is somewhere in the Pacific ocean but I think there is some here along this beach. Just not much that I can find.

Also who am I to complain? I swim here year round without a wetsuit. I remember telling people I like it. I remember liking it. I’ll be honest, I’m not really in to it right now. Listen, it is AUGUST. This is our special warm and fuzzy nicey nicey time. I have not had time to put myself into a January mind set. You know why? Because it is AUGUST!

Well I’m not going to get out. Lets do this.

I swim South. Every now and then (like twice?) I find some of that 67 degree water and tell myself, “well that was crazy there for a while wasn’t it?” And then BAM, 59 again.

The sun is now coming over the top of the bluff above the beach and houses. It may be cold but the scenery here is stunning.

I get to the South end and take in the view before heading back up North. The mist obscures my view of the cliff near the Salt Creek lifeguard tower. The entire line of bluffs is like a silhouette against the rising sun.

Moving North now and I am reaching for all of my cold water tools that I packed away: relax, loosen my muscles around my jawline and temples, let myself be open to and truly feel the cold - do not resist it. These are helpful.

In the end, success comes, as it always does, by staying with every stroke. One after the other. I let the feelings of coldness and wanting to be somewhere else roll over me and I just keep swimming.

I eventually reach my buoy friend Bob Marley and begin to search for the Green Monster which sits a ways out North West. I reach it and pause. It’s cold but just so beautiful.

I now head back to finish the swim. With the sun positioned where it is, I can only make out vague shapes of the houses on the cliff. For a while it feels like I am swimming in place because I can’t identify the usual land marks I am familiar with.

I eventually intersect with a group of swimmers heading in my direction. One makes a comment, “a bit chilly today huh?” I emphatically agree with him. He asks me where I swam to and states, “that is pretty hard core swimming out here without a suit.” I reply “or crazy.” We chuckle and each continue with our swim.

I soon notice that I have over shot my usual finishing point of exit. I head for the sand and then make my way up the stairs. The sun feels great but I’d like to turn up the dial a bit (or more). I get to the car and am experiencing afterdrop sensations (shivering as core temperature drops after blood returns to extremities) for the first time since the crazy dip we had in April.

This is my third summer of consistent open water swimming here. Every one of those summers has had a temporary significant water temperature dip in mid to late July. We didn’t get one this July so I guess this is it. However for the record, this is a deeper dip than the last two. I’m still willing to put money that we will see 70 degree water again soon.