Wednesday Evening, May 9, 2012

Warm Wednesdays May Be Back!
Last summer we had a long string of Wednesday evenings when the water temperature was much warmer that on the Sunday before or after.   We never did figure out why it was happening but this evening has me thinking that we could be experiencing a repeat.  Last Sunday the water was 51 degrees, this evening it measured 58 degrees!  The reading was influenced somewhat by the conditions.  I normally take the water temperature on the east side of the pier, if for no other reason than it has always been that way.  The evening there was a breeze from left to right so in order to prevent the thermometer from being pushed under the pier and in amongst the pilings I dropped the thermometer in on the west side.  Lately the water on the west side has been noticeably warmer because the water in the creek is much warmer than the ocean and the creek  is still flowing enough water into the ocean to have a large effect.  Other details were the almost complete absence of any surf and a moderate wind chop.  We had four swimmers; Rob, Byron, John and Niel.  We got in on the west side of the pier with the intent of swimming down to the creek and then either going to the Poly Pier or directly to the end of the Avila Pier.  It was definitely much more comfortable getting in and swimming out to the buoy line.  The swim down the buoy line towards the creek was into water of an ever increasing temperature.  When we grouped up at the creek I'd estimate that the water was 2 or 3 degrees warmer than at the pier.  We agreed to head over to the Poly Pier and to then come back to the end of the Avila Pier.  About 2/3's of the way over we swam out of the creek water and the temperature dropped but was still very comfortable.  We have not been over to the Poly Pier in some time and this was a nice opportunity to get reacquainted.  I like this swim, partly because the next leg to the Avila Pier,at 4/10 of a mile, is a nice long stretch and the navigation is easy so I can settle in and get into my stroke.  It was extra special this evening because our route was directly into the chop and current so there was some extra work to do.  From the end of the pier we continued to the last buoy of the line on the east side of the pier and then back along the buoys to the pier.  The water was noticeably colder but still 55+.  This swim was 1.5 miles and I had 51min. 30sec. for out total time in the water. 


niel