Sunday, October 14, 2012

Avila Beach was sunny and warm with not a hint of fall anywhere, except maybe in the 57 degree water temperature.  There was no wind or swell with 2 to 3 foot surf.  We did two swims today.  We all started out by swimming straight out to the end of the Avila Pier. At this point Sylvia, Yvonne,Bonnie and Dale headed for the last buoy at the creek while Niel, Rob and Duke, with Allison in her kayak, headed for the Poly Pier.  We have not been over to the Poly Pier in a while and it was nice to visit again.  The leg from the end of the Avila Pier over to the 1/3 point on the Poly Pier is about 1/2 of a mile so it is an opportunity to stretch out and focus on your stroke.  From the Poly Pier we swam back to the buoy at the creek and along the line of buoys to the Avila Pier, under the pier and in to the beach.  When we approached the buoy at the creek we swam into a horrible patch of water that tasted and smelled foul.  I wnated out of this right now but there was nothing to do but keep swimming towards the pier. This must be water flowing out of the creek that had been stagnant in the tidal zone for some time before making it out to the ocean.  The Health Department's test on Monday didn't flag anything but I sure would not want kids or anyone splashing around in kind of water.  We covered about 1-1/4 miles in 40 minutes.
Rob and Allison went back out to play in the surf and Rob brought in a nice crab that was amongst some kelp.

After enjoying this little guy for a few minutes Rob set him back on a pier piling.

Mid 80's to low 90's and offshore breezes are predicted for this week in San Luis Obispo so Wednesday nights swim should have beautiful conditions.

niel