Thursday, September 24th, 2026

Swimming Around the Rodeo - 

I had a lot of Blue Water Task Force tasks this morning and I didn't get in the water until 9.

Tom Lorish got in at the same time but we each did our own swim.

At 9 AM the overcast was clearing, it was still calm, the surf was 2 to 3 foot, it was 66° and the water was 64°.  I swam short because I was meeting Tom Lorish and Duke Parmelly at 11 for pastries and stories. I stayed in close because the anchovies are in and with them are the waterbirds. There was a raft of birds offshore that extended from the far side of Fossil Point to almost the Avila Pier. Thousands, tens of thousands? I don't know. Avoiding the birds is a prudent thing to do. They use the water as a toilet and the bait fish attract seals, which will be attractive to sharks, so I avoid an area where everything is either eating or being eaten.       

With the water in the mid-60's it was very easy and pleasant swimming.    

This year the Cal Poly Collegiate Rodeo team is putting on their fall fundraising show in Avila Beach. The event will be at 4 on Friday and Saturday afternoons. They have set up bleachers for 3,000 spectators between the pier and the creek and it looks like a very professional undertaking. In the middle of the photo is the #2 lifeguard tower. I'll get a better photo Saturday morning.  

I'll swim Saturday morning at 7, then to Pismo Beach, north of the Grand Ave. ramp, for the Surfrider annual Hands Across The Sand protest against offshore oil drilling. 

niel 

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026

More of These Please -  

I had a very nice swim this morning. Things started out well, I felt relaxed and I never felt tight, tired, bored or anything other than enjoying being in the water.

Avila was gray with overcast skies, 59° and calm. The water was 61° to 62°, glassy with a SW swell and 2 foot surf.  

My plan was to swim over to and to the end of the Poly Pier and figure it out from there. I kept going around the loop and back to where I began.

At the end of the Poly Pier.

Here and at the Avila Rock it is far enough offshore 

that I feel like I'm out in the ocean.

I'll swim at 8 on Thursday and meet Tom Lorish and Duke on the Avila bluff at 11 for our occasional Old Guys Talking About the Ocean meeting.

niel   

Saturday, September 19th, 2026

A Yo-Yo on the East Side -

The morning began with a nice sunrise but the clouds quickly moved in over Pismo Beach and changed it into a gray day. There was no wind, the water was glassy with no chop and a swell out of the SW, the surf was 2 to 3 foot, the air temperature was 55° and the water was 61°.  The water looked like it was getting cloudy but that could have been caused by the lack of sunshine.  

It was just Jodi and I today. We decided to do a Yo-Yo on the east side of the Avila Pier.

Niel, Jodi and the #3 buoy with seagull

On the first leg from the end of the pier to the #4 buoy I spotted on the #3 buoy, I'm blaming the grayness and the swell, and had to swim over to #4 to meet Jodi. 

We enjoyed a nice swim and a good start to Saturday morning. 

I'll swim Tuesday at 7, Thursday at 8 and Saturday at 9. 

The CP Rodeo on the beach is Avila is next Friday and Saturday at 4PM, so it should not interfere with our morning swim.     

niel

Thursday, September 17th, 2026

More Coolish - 

This morning the water felt colder than it had on Tuesday, more chilly getting in and it took longer for me to get even with the water temperature. I measured a temperature of 60°+/- this morning which matched how it felt. Some summers the water doesn't even break 60° so this is a very nice water temperature for Avila Beach, but a 5 degree drop in 5 days is requiring some getting used to.

It was overcast and 56° with some cotton ball clouds and a peak of sunshine, no wind, a smaller swell than Tuesday and 2 foot surf. 

A four buoy Yo-Yo on the west side sounded right. 
  

The water has stayed clean and plankton free since early in the summer. It has been a treat to have nice clean water with good (for Avila) visibility at this time of the year.

I'll be back on Saturday at 7.

niel  

Tuesday, September 15th, 2026

When 61° Feels Coolish -  

The water temperature was 61° today and after Saturday's 65°+/- the water felt cool as I waded in.  Of course 61° was very comfortable but the 3 to 4 degree drop was very noticeable.  Avila was overcast and 56°, there was no wind, knee high surf and a SE swell that would give some variation to my swimming.   

I felt really good. I relaxed and just enjoyed myself 

and had a nice float at the finish. 

I'll be back at 7 on Thursday and Saturday.

niel

Saturday, September 12th, 2026

Very Warm Water - 

Before we got in I measured 63° water temperature off of the Avila Pier, the water was a degree or two warmer most everywhere we swam today. When we were at the  Poly Pier the water temperature reading was 65°.  (I checked this on their website after the swim at  https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/realtime2/CPXC1.ocean).    

Jodi, Avery, Tom and Niel

at the Poly Pier

The surf was 2 to 3 foot, the water is was nice and clean with good visibility, it was overcast and 60° on the beach.  January's mid to low 50's water temperatures seem a faint memory now, but in November the ocean will begin changing to winter conditions.  I'll be happy if the water temperature stays in the mid 50's this winter, instead of the low to below 50° of previous winters.     

We swam a tour of the water between the Avila and Poly Piers, finishing up with the 1000M leg from the end of the Poly Pier to the beach. 

For this coming week I'll swim Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7.

niel 

Tuesday, September 8th, 2026

A Quick Start Followed By Great Swimming - 

When I arrived in Avila at 6:40 it was calm, sunny, 55°, and looked like the start of a beautiful summer day. I had checked the surf report and a large south swell was predicted but the water in Avila was pretty flat with 2 to 3 foot waves. When I walked in the water felt warm, I'd measure a 63° water temperature while I was swimming. When I was chest high a 3+ foot wave came through and the next one had a face that was taller than I am. I swam under it, surfaced and found that that one had a bunch of friends.  I think there were 5 or 6 5 to 6  footers before the waves went down and I got out to the buoy line.  Today's waves were not packing the energy typical of waves from winter storms so it was easier to swim under them.

I swam down the buoy line to the east. When I was at the 4th buoy Jim swam up next to me. We swam to the end of the Poly Pier. Jim swam in to the beach and I went to the end of the Avila Pier, to the second crossbars on the Poly Pier, to the 4th buoy on the west side and along the buoys to the #1 buoy on the east side.         

Niel and Jim at the Poly Pier

Sunny skies and 63° water was a very nice way to start my day. 

I'll not swim on Thursday morning but I will be back at 7 on Saturday. 

niel 

Saturday, September 5th, 2026

Summer Isn't Over Yet - 

There were eight people in the water this morning; Paula, Claire (Paula's daughter), Tom I., Illiene, Jodi, Niel, Jim and Hillary.  We are still enjoying summer swimming conditions; low clouds, no wind, a 55° air temperature and 61° water that is nice and clean. The swell from tropical storm Marie had pushed up the surf in Avila Beach to 4 to 5 feet. There was a long period between the sets and the waves were not carrying a lot of energy so getting out was just a matter of timing.

From the left is Jim, Claire, Niel, Tom L. with Paula and Eileen behind him, 

Jodi in the background and Hillary on the right at Buoy #1

Tom and Eileen went bareback and were planning on going short. After we got out through the surf and grouped up at Buoy #1. We swam to Fossil Point and came back to the #2 buoy, not getting too close to the pier to avoid the fishing lines. Clare, Eileen, Paula and Tom went in while Niel, Hillary, Jodi and Jim swam to the end of the Avila Pier, to the #2 crossbars on the Poly Pier, to the #2 Buoy on the right side of the Avila Pier and came in.   

This coming week I'll swim Tuesday and Saturday at 7 and maybe slip in one more as a make up for not swimming on Thursday because of a 9AM appointment. 

niel

Saturday, August 29th, 2026

Swimming With Silly People - 

The conditions this morning were favorable for a swim to the Avila Rock, so Hillary, Tom and Niel took the tour.  I measured a water temp of 62° from the Avila Pier. It was 58° under low clouds with a chance of sunshine.  The surf was 2 to 3 feet and there was a small chop on the water.   

Niel, Hillary and Tom with the Avila Rock in the background 

Hillary's party boat with Niel, Hillary and Tom

The party boat has flags, a GoPro camera, a hula doll, a shark hula doll, 

a figure of Jesus that was found on the  beach and a yellow ducky to tow behind. 

The swell was hiding the smaller Avila Rock so I was swimming

 towards the much larger Bird Rock which is another mile further.   

I'll be swimming on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7 this coming week.

niel 

Friday, August 28th, 2026

Tom's Friday Swim - 

Beautiful tropical cloud cover, glassy water, and a 3 foot wave rolling through. The air temperature was low 70s and the water temperature was low 60s. Swimming was excellent. 

Thursday, August 27th, 2026

Tropical Conditions - 

On my way to Avila Beach I saw lightning in the clouds over Pismo Beach and outside of the car it felt like thunderstorm weather. At 8 when I was getting ready to get in there was light rain. The air temp was 70°, there was a gusty wind, and the ocean had a small swell running. The water temp was 62°. The clouds looked stormy but there was no lighting or thunder so I got in.

   

I swam a couple of triangles. The swell was out of the SE so each direction had different conditions.

When I was heading to my car I saw Tom Lorish, standing in the rain, getting ready to get in. 

I'm swimming with the group on Saturday morning at 7.

niel 

Tuesday, August 25th, 2026

Is Swimming Art or Just Fun?

I was hoping that there would be some art in today's plot. I'd hoped that the plot would look more like an arrow. It's OK but could use a tweak. I swam from the beach to the end of the Poly Pier, which at 1,064M it is a favorite, starting a swim with a long leg to sort myself out and set the tone for the swim, then to the end of the Avila Pier, to the third crossbars on the P. Pier and back to the beach.  Going to the second crossbars nextime would square up the arrowhead and make this route about 4K.      

Summer swimming conditions continue; in the east towards Shell Beach the sun was trying to break through the overcast, at 7 o'clock it was 56°, the water was 62°, and this photo taken at the end of the Poly Pier tells the rest of the story. 

I'll swim at 8 on Thursday and at 7 on Saturday.

niel 

Sunday, August 23rd, 2026

Avila to Pismo, Pier to Pier Swim - 

Eileen, Paula, Tom, Jodi, Avery and Hillary swam from the Avila Pier to the Pismo Pier. They got in at about 7AM and finished in 3:42  to 4:08.  The water temp was 60° - 62°, the water was flat, there was no wind but patchy fog that was dense at times. 

Avery, Eileen, Paula, Tom, Jodi, Hillary

Jodi

Avery

Hillary

Paula

Tom

Eileen

There was a well earned post swim carb loading at Old West Cinnamon Rolls.

Congratulations to all of you!  

niel 

Saturday, August 22nd, 2026

Back to the 60's -

A nice surprise today. The water temp was up to 63° after a flirtation with 59° on Thursday so I had a very relaxing and enjoyable swim. Out beyond the end of the Avila Pier there was a small swell but there was flat, clean water everywhere.

As I was walking to the water I met Chris, who was here for the day from LA. He swims in a pool and the ocean and wanted to get in and swim at Avila Beach. I suggested that he would enjoy swimming the buoy line. He liked the idea, I didn't see him after I got out.  I swam over and back to the Poly Pier from the end of the Avila Pier hitting the end of the p. pier, the mooring and the third and second crossbars.      

While I was at the showers Duke rode by and stopped to chat. Then Phil Toriello joined us and he filled us in on his recent participation in a lifeguard competition in Florida. His experience included placing in the top 3 in his age group in some of the events and a major GI meltdown. Pro Tip: when in Florida don't drink the energy drink that is provided by the local race organizers.

All together, a very nice start to my Saturday.

At the showers.

This coming week will swim at 7 on Tuesday, 8 on Thursday and 7 on Saturday. 

niel
 

Thursday, August 20th, 2026

Back to the 50's -

No, not Happy Days, the water temperature this morning was 59°, still very nice but it could be just an early hint of fall......... will the water go back up to 60°+? I'd expect it to but this may be the beginning of a Yo-Yoing water temperature until we have the fall drop. 

The waves were up to 3 foot and there there was a small swell on the water, otherwise the water was clean with very nice swimming.   

At the second crossbars on the Poly Pier with a heron 

on a crossbar looking for breakfast. 

I think that I will be the only one swimming Saturday morning at 7, everyone else is swimming 10K Sunday morning from Avila to Pismo, and then a post swim cinnamon roll carb loading.

niel