Sunday, July 28th, 2024

The beach was gray and cool when I arrived but with glassy, flattish seas but while I was swimming the sun came out, the wind came up and the water became very bumpy.  The air temp went from 61° t the upper 70°'s and umbrellas started flying down the beach. I spoke with Sue and Tom, they has swum out to the Avila Rock. They said that there was a seal next to the pilings at the end of the Avila Pier that was acting strangely and should be avoided. A lifeguard told me that in the past week seals had been rushing up onto the beach and generally acting unusual. I decided to stay a good distance from the end of the pier and any distressed wildlife.      

I decided that a clockwise loop to the Poly Pier and a swim in along the pier would be nice and not involve the end of the Avila Pier. What I did not consider was how this route swims in a building summer wind. I came around the kelp patch at the reef and realized that I would be swimming 1,200M into a building chop all of the way to the Poly Pier.  Ah, so meditative.  

The water ran warmer and colder but was generally 57° - 58°.

 

Two views from the end of the Poly Pier    

Even the last bit along the west buoy line was bumpy. When I got out there were whitecaps at the end of the Avila Pier.

Next week. I'll swim Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 7AM and Sunday at 11AM

niel