The Sand is Still Here
Well the storm and large swells have passed and I’m heading back to the beach for the first swim since Friday (today is Thursday). I’m out by 10:30 and the sun is shining. There are a few scattered clouds about and the temperature has just hit 60. It’s really feeling like February (SoCal style) this month which makes sense - being February and all. However I’m super stoked for tomorrow’s 70 degree forecast. Unfortunately it’s just a day, but I’ll take it.
My car has been sitting in the sun all morning and I relish the warmth all the way to the beach but then I’m chilly on the walk down the stairs. I might be just a little intimidated by the cool ocean water but just a little. I’m mostly really looking forward to the swim. I’m curious what the condition of the beach is going to be after the large waves this week. We just had the largest swell of the Winter - double overhead here at Strands and Salt Creek. The main question I have: is there still sand?
As soon as I get a view of the beach, I’m pleased to see that it’s pretty much just as I left it last week. Plenty of sand here. There is still surf in the water for sure but nothing crazy. It might not even be head high. There is a breeze giving the water some jumble but it looks mostly calmish.
I set down my stuff and grab my goggles and then head for the water. It’s a mid-tide and falling. I walk for a little bit and it gets deep fairly quick and I start swimming. Just like the sand, I’d say the water temperature is about the same as last week too. It’s cold - 59ish - but that’s not too bad. Bummer that the 62 degree forecast of last week’s water temperature report did not come to pass, but I’m not shocked at all. Especially for late February, 59 is almost cozy. However if you asked me towards the end of my swim if I was “almost cozy,” I’m pretty sure I would not even understand the question.
It’s a beautiful swim and it feels good to be back in the water. The water is very wobbly and the visibility below the surface is close to nothing. I can at least see my arms. Even some of the kelp vines, while close to the top, look blurry.
Over the coarse of the swim, the wind is picking up and the water is getting more agitated. During the entire north bound leg it seems I barely see the horizon and my face is frequently pelted by oncoming wakes. About two thirds of the way to Salt Creek, a motor boat comes within 15 to 20 feet of me and sends more wakes my way. I can see that I am pretty darn far out. It feels like the last little bit to my northern turn around point is very drawn out. I think my perspective is off because by the time I turn around I appear to have over shot this spot by quite a bit.
The water feels colder and colder and I try to relax into it. I don’t feel at all overwhelmed and by the time I’m heading back in through the surf, I forget all about the cold - distracted by the waves. With each breath I look behind me and watch the breaking white water approach and then roll over me. It’s all fairly gentle stuff today and very enjoyable.
I walk the last little bit before shore and can tell that the tide has come down since I started. There are lots more exposed rock especially in front of the ramp and asphalt road. It’s all a beautiful sight. I grab my pack and enjoy the warm hand rail all the way up the stairs.
