Monday, January 30, 2012

Sunday, January 29, 2012

It was another beautiful day at Avila Sunday, sunny and warm but not hot, no wind, and no sea life to be seen in, on or above the ocean. The only condition that was not perfect for swimming was a water temperature that seem stuck at 52 degrees. We had 8 swimmers today; Niel, Rob, Sylvia, Amy, Duke, Roberto, Ed and Casey. We decided to just do a mile along the buoy line starting left and them back , under the pier, on to the creek and back to our starting place. I had 33 minutes in the water.


niel

For more pictures check out the Swim Avila Facebook page!



Also... don't forget to check out the new Central Coast Open Water Google Group for swim information in Avila and other places around the area
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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2012 at 11:53 AM

    Hi Niel,

    What kind of swim goggles do you recommend for swimming Avila? How do you prep your body for that type of cold?


    Farmer Jack

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  2. NielFebruary 10, 2012 at 8:23 PM

    I prefer the Seal mask made by Aqua Sphere. Its' large field of view makes it easier for me to sight on landmarks and since it covers a larger area of my face I think it helps prevent an ice cream headache when I first get in. Rob and some of our other swimmers prefer regular small pool or competition goggles. Swimming in cold water is more a matter of learning to tolerate the cold than getting used to it. It is cold getting in, wetsuit or not. You have to have developed the confidence that it will become more comfortable after you get in, start swimming and become acclimated. You also need to have a sense of the difference between feeling the cold of the water and actually becoming cold in your body. The first is manageable, the second will become dangerous. It is similar to working or running outside in cold weather. I wear a full wetsuit. Some of our swimmers don't. Going without a wetsuit is a matter of mental discipline and body type. Traditional (no wetsuit) open water swimmers who swim in colder water tend to have a larger build. The extra bulk works for them in the same way it does for seals and whales, by helping insulate the body's core from the cold. I'm thin and I do not have the desire or drive to want to make overcoming the cold that big a part of my swim. Try and find some open water swimmers in your area. Hang with them and learn about the local conditions. Start with a wetsuit, a neoprene cap, even booties if you need them and once you get comfortable in the water, you can shed some layers if you like.

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2012 at 10:08 PM

    Thanks, I will get with the locals and learn from them. Great website, and nice content, thank you for taking the time to answer my question. Keep up the great work!


    Farmer Jack

    ReplyDelete