Friday, December 30th, 2022

 The Last Swim of the Year -

Tom and Sue

Foggy and wet at Avila this morning. The swell was down but there was still a slow roll out there. Sue and I stepped into the crazy zone and actually swam around Avila Rock. It was a good swim, if a little crazy. 

Thanks Tom

Personally, I think this is the most hazardous time of the year at Avila and it is about tiny stuff. Not sharks, which are a summer thing and rare, or boats, or the storm surf that we get this time of the year but the high load of bacteria that San Luis Creek carries into the ocean when it rains. Thursday mornings samples by the Surfrider Blue Water Task Force have bacteria levels on the west side of the pier (opposite where Tom and Sue were today) at 6x the state limit for safe contact with the water, the creek mouth is at 9x and in the estuary it is 12X. Some areas further up the creek posted numbers 25X the state's recommendation. This is not unusual when it rains, with the numbers highest early in the winter when there is more poo in the creek's watershed for the rain to push into the creek.

The water from the creek disperses out into the ocean so if you want to swim in this water the game is to guess how diluted the bacteria load will be where you are swimming. Dial in how long it has been since the last rain, how robust your immune system is, how long you will be in the water and how much water you will get in your mouth, eyes and nose and you can arrive at a guess of your risk. 

Staying on the east side of the pier is a start but the surf, tide and the relative strength of the flow in the creek vs the tide and the waves will determine where the outflow goes. It is a guess and you hope you make a good one.

The Surfrider Blue Water Task Force collects beach and creek water samples from Pismo to Cambria on Thursday mornings and the test results are posted about noon on Friday at  

https://bwtf.surfrider.org/explore/34. 

If you like having this kind of data available before you get in the ocean consider giving your local chapter a few bucks.

In the early 90's there was no water quality information available and we were ignorant about the risk that creek runoff could expose us to so we were swam all of the time, including during storms in water that was so full of silt from the creek that it looked like a latte.  A number of our swimmers had chronic sinus infections and who knows how many of the other aches and 'colds' the rest of us had were due to exposure to the bacteria in the water. We have the ability to be smarter now.

niel 

Thursday, December 29th, 2022

 Sneaking In Before the Rain -

It is difficult to smile in 52° water

After a week out of the water and 1100 miles of traveling I was really feeling the need for a swim. The swimming conditions this weekend didn't look good so I put out positive thoughts about the water quality and swam this morning. I got in about 7:30 and swam for something less than an hour. It was great. I stayed on the left/east side of the Avila Pier to keep some distance between myself and the creek. 

The air and water temperatures were 52°.  It was pretty calm and gray. There was a combination of soft chop (see next sentence) and swell that made swimming pretty physical. 

Soft Chop, I just made this up to describe todays surface condition when there is no wind but there is a wind chop like surface (small wavelets close together) on the water, but since there is no wind they are not steep and peaky but 'soft'.  Does anyone know? 

I swam out to the end of the Avila Pier, turned left and swam parallel to the beach until I was directly off of Fossil Point, I roughly followed the coastline along the point until I was in line with the buoy line, angled left and swam parallel to the beach  back to the pier and in.

Gear Reports -

Garmin Customer Support - My Garmin 735XT died last week. I went on line to Customer Support page, entered my watches' seral number and selected the option to receive a return phone call in 1 minute. They also told me what number the return call would be coming from.  The call was right on time. The woman who assisted me was knowledgeable and helpful. I purchased this model in 2020 and there is a one year warranty. 😟 After some diagnosis she determined that my watch had leaked and had moisture inside. 😢 She then offered me an Exchange, where Garmin sends me a new 735XT and I return my dead watch to them. 😀

They put a deposit on my card which is canceled when they receive my dead watch. I could have avoid the deposit by first sending them my watch and they would send the exchange after they received it. That would take two weeks so the deposit is much faster. The only cost is the shipping.  I chose next day for $18. The call was yesterday morning and my new watch will be delivered today. I am very pleased with Garmin's customer support.

Surf Ears Ear 3.0 Plugs -  I got these for Christmas and wore them for the first time today. They are very soft silicone and customizable with three sizes for the part that goes in your ear and two sizes of the part that fits in your outer ear and keeps them in place. They are very comfortable, let sound in but keep water out, come with a leash and case and are a quality product. Made for surfing but should work just as well for swimming. I didn't pay for these but now that I have tried them I would,  I think that my hearing and the comfort is worth $60.

niel         

Wednesday, December 28th, 2022

 Tom's Swim Report for Wednesday -

Tom's eye of the storm report: after a rainy Tuesday. Wednesday was clear and breezy at Avila, so I decided to go for a short swim. There was a big swell, and straight up and down jackhammer waves that were well overhead. The water felt about 51, and the breeze made it colder, nevertheless, I got a solid 40 minute swim in. And then carefully navigated my way out to make sure I was not crushed by one of the jackhammer's!  I'll be back whenever the weather permits. 

________________

I was hoping to start off today with a 'sort myself out' swim but yesterday's 10 hour drive back from Eureka in the rain had me feeling pretty beat when I went to bed. This morning I woke up early but just wasn't feeling the love of getting in the water.

Maybe tomorrow. I'd feel much better having gotten in the water but the runoff will be dirty so my best plan is to drive down tomorrow morning and see if the water looks too dirty for me to feel good about getting in.

niel         

Sunday, December 25th, 2022

Tom's Swim Report - 

King tide + one day.  The December 25 swim report: it is the day after the official king tide, so the gravitational pull was a little bit less… Nevertheless, it was a very high tide! I got in at 9:45, the air temperature was 62, and the water was about 51.  There is a decent swell in, so you can see the waves almost touching the top of the pier as they are rolling in.  Are the water was beautiful and clear.  I got out right at the peak of the high tide, at 10:45. Beautiful morning swim.  

Saturday, December 24th, 2022

Tom's Christmas Eve Swim Report

Another shot looking out towards Avila rock from the Bluffs…   I got to Avila about 930. The air temperature was 62. It looked to be right at high tide… And if this wasn't the king tide, it was definitely a queen, or a prince! Avila rock was just about completely underwater. And the rock buoy was straining to stay afloat. The water temp was up a bit to about 52, there was a decent sized swell and the swimming was excellent. 

Thursday, December 22nd, 2022

 Thursday's Swim Report from Tom -

 

Beautiful day..... Looking out towards Avila Rock. Pretty big high tide today, so only the tip was out of the water.  The water was vey clear and about 51 degrees.  Air temp was 57 when I got here.  An excellent swim and great way to start the day.

Thanks Tom

Tuesday, December 20th, 2022

An Almost Winter Solstice Swim - 

It was going to be cold, but it wasn't like I expected. My expectations were based on the air temperature being 36° at 7:30 and the water being in the low 50's. It was clear and sunny with a slight wind and the same small surf. The water has been very clean.

I planned to do two big triangles. Getting started had its shock and awe aspects until I got evened out about when I reached the reef buoy. I was not comfortable but it was tolerable. 

The water felt cold, definitly about 51°, but enjoyable until I rounded the Avila Pier and headed towards the left side of the creek. About 200M after the turn I entered some water that made me feel like I had just gotten in all over again. I measured the water temp near the creek mouth at 50°. The chill encouraged me to swim harder so I pushed on and when I swam out of the colder water near the end of the Avila Pier swimming harder was feeling good so I kept pushing all of the way to the beach.       

I had a great swim and felt good and tired when I got out.  

Tom's Swim - My coordinates: 46°F, 10.5°C. The water was calm and beautiful, as was the swim. I decided for a solstice around Avila Rock  swim.

I'll be out of town Thursday through Tuesday and plan to swim Wednesday morning to get the kinks out after a couple of long days in the car. 

niel

Sunday, December 18th, 2022

At 11AM the weather at Avila Beach was clear and sunny, 54° with a light wind. The waves were 2' except for an occasional sneaker at 3 foot plus. There was a small swell from the west that was noticeable if you were far enough offshore to be out of the shadow of the Port San Luis breakwater.

I was the only one swimming today and I decided to take a lap around the Avila Rock.  

The water measured a degree or more warmer than yesterday and with the warmer air temp it swam two+ degrees warmer. I measured the water at 12°C/53.6°F.  The swimming was still cold but much more comfortable than yesterday.   

At the Avila Rock. Out here I could feel the lift of the swell and there was a bit of a push towards the east but neither was enough to require much attention. 

The rock got lost in the background but it is darker than the cliffs behind it. 

This is a lovely time of the year at Avila; sunny, comfortable and no crowds. There were maybe 12 other people on the entire beach on the left (east) side of the pier. And in a 'Normal' year the water temperature would be 54° to 56° until spring. 

I'll swim Tuesday morning at 7:30 and then we will be traveling, so I'll be back in the water at about 9 on Wednesday the 28th. Yes, not my usual day or time but I'll be driving all day the day before and swimming will get the kinks out.

niel  

Saturday, September 17th, 2022

I got in at 7:30, the air temperature was 36° with high clouds and a nice sunrise. There was an offshore wind out of the NE and the water was rippled but not choppy. The surf was 2 feet +/- with waves that were very close together.

 

Starting out it seemed colder than it has been but I wasn't sure if it was me or the conditions. Once I turned right at the end of the Avila Pier and headed towards the CPP I had what I'm calling corduroyed water. There were little swells that were close together and easy to swim through that gave a rhythmic vertical motion to the swimming.  And the water temp dropped. Everywhere further out then the end of the Avila Pier was a degree or more colder than closer to shore. I measured 11°C at the CPP but it didn't feel like 51.8°F. More like 50 - 51. 

I saw Tom afterwards. He got in at 9:20, the air temp was 45° by then and he thought the water was 51°.

I'll swim tomorrow at 11 and early on Tuesday, and then take another week off to travel for the holidays. 

niel

Thursday, December 15th, 2022

 After a weeklong rain induced break from swimming I decided to sleep in a bit and get in at 8 instead of my usual 7, hoping that it would be warmer. It didn't work.  At 8 the air temp was 38° with thin high clouds, a light breeze and minor chop out of the SE. I took the long way over to the Cal Poly Pier and doubled back along the same route.   

Sitting our for a week really showed in my navigating. I had such a backlog of stuff in my head to work through that I was all over the ocean, especially on the way back. I felt great afterwards. 

I measured a water temperature of 53° but the air temperature and weak sun had me guessing 51° -52°.

It was wonderful swimming. The water was clean and we are not expecting any rain in the next week so I'm looking forward to getting back in my groove before Christmas.

Tom got in at 9:30 when the air temperature was 48°. His toes thought the water was 10.5C/51°F.  He usually estimates the water temperature to be a degree or so lower than my thermometer reads but since he swims in a farmer john with a long sleeved rash guard it probably does feel that much colder wherever he is. He swam about 3000M.  

We'll both be back Saturday morning, Tom at 9:30 and me at 7.

niel

Tuesday, December 13th, 2022

 I stayed dry today but Tom swam. His report:

As they say a picture is worth 1000 words.... air temp was 48° when I got in at 9:30, water was 51° based on my toes and teeth. Beautiful day, beautiful swimming.

We will both swim on Thursday.

niel

Saturday and Sunday, December 10th and 11th, 2022

 Tom and I didn't brave the silty water in Avila this weekend. 

I did have breakfast with Rob Dumouchel in Avila on Sunday morning. He was in town visiting family and friends and enjoying the sunshine.  Before becoming the city manager for Homer Alaska Rob kept the Avila Dolphins cred shining by swimming bareback no matter what the water temperature was. 

The water that was coming our of San Luis Creek was the color of a latte and only a few surfers were in the water.

niel

  

Thursday, December 8th, 2022

 It is a good thing that I don't work at a business making change in cash. My rough estimate was that today's route would be a bit longer than my usual 3,200M +/-, and it it was longer. At 4,547M it was 1,347M longer. So I overpaid myself my 8/10ths of a mile. If I had known I was being so generous I could have done just 250M more and made it an even 3 miles.

This is a good way to train up but not so good if I'm working in your store. 😏

It was bright and sunny and I had a great swim just cruising the distance.    

The Back Story:

The County had give an all clear on the post rain water quality so the creek side of the pier was back in play.  I had not been under the pier in some time and I liked the idea of a big triangle and knew that once around would be a longish mile, so twice around would be two miles plus some. It seemed like a good plan.

I got to Avila about 7 and got in the water at 7:15. It was frosty. The air was 35°, it was clear and there was an offshore wind. All of the dog walkers were bundled up and here I was getting in the water. The surf was small and the breeze had put a lumpiness on the water that wasn't yet a chop.  I measured a water temperature of 12°C/53.6°F  but no way. I'm with Tom and think the air temp had it swimming one or two degrees colder.  

Who's feet are these? I can't feel mine.

At almost an hour forty with no gels to top me up I was feeling the chill when I got out. This time of the year the area around the showers is in the shade until noon and that wet concrete was cold. Next time I'm going to bring sandals or put my stuff out in the sunshine.  

Tom's Swim Report - 

My report is: air temp was 48 when I got in at 9:40. My toes tell me the Water temp was 51 degrees.  The water was beautiful and clear. Lovely blue skies with wispy clouds creating artwork above.  Excellent winter day at Avila.

niel

Tuesday, December 6th, 2022

I'm back in the water after a two week break and it was sure nice to be out there this morning.

Avila has winter conditions now with a 7:30AM air temperature of 42° with thin high clouds, a light breeze and a ocean with a glassy but lumpy surface and a push from the SE.  I stayed n the east side of the pier just in case the creek was still dirty for the recent rain.  

I expected to have lost some of my cold water mojo but was still surprised when I measured 12.5°C/54.4°F. It sure didn't feel like the mid 50's to me, mor like 51 or 52.  We'll see what tom's toes told him when I get his swim text. 

Tom's Toes Say:  Beautiful swimming today! My toes and teeth said 51–52, which seems to agree with your thermometer. Beautiful air and water clarity.  I love this time of year! 

Tom misunderstood me. I think he is right and my thermometer needs to go into the shop for a calibration.  

Regardless of what the water temp was Avila is a beautiful place to swim. 

Tom and I will be back Thursday AM. Rain is possible Friday night and Saturday so we'll figure the weekend out depending on how much rain we get.

niel

 

Saturday, December 3rd, 2022

 

Tom and I are sitting out this weekend.  As of Saturday morning this storm has dumped 3 inches at our house in San Luis Obispo and the County has advised a 72 hour closure of all beaches. I haven't always strictly adhered to those guidelines, but I was in Avila Friday morning and the waves on the west side of the pier were brown with silt from the creek. That is a red flag for me for possible high bacterial loads in the water, so Tom and I will wait until Tuesday to get in.

niel    

Thursday, December 1st, 2022

Today's Tom's Toes Report (without the water temp guess) - 

Tom swim report for Thursday, December 1: cloudy and breezy at Avila this morning. Air temperature was 55 at 9:45 when I got in the water. There was a significant wind chop that was counter to the direction of the swell. It made for a good rough water worth (?), water swim!  Overhead the clouds were thick in places, and at the same time, there were several streaks and spots of blue sky showing. The air quality was amazing - I could see Point Sal like it was next door.  I'll be back on Saturday for another round.

Niel - 

I'm healed up and ready to swim, but I am going to see how much rain we get between now and Saturday morning before deciding about the water quality.  If San Luis gets the inch plus that is predicted I'd be concerned about the bacteria load.

niel 

Tuesday, November 29th, 2022

Tom's Toes Report - 

Toms, swim report: my toes were in the water at 9:45. Air temperature was 52°, water temperature 51. A slight breeze, a bit of a bump on the water, and clear blue skies. Another beautiful fall day of swimming at Avila.  

I been thinking of having some fun by dropping in a plot of one of my runs but don't see the humor is sitting out. 

Trying to swim through the rash on my neck was a mistake. I've been able to do that before but this time it was bad enough that it wasn't going to get better until I stopped. I have been planning on swimming this Saturday but it will rain Thursday/Friday, so I may have to sit out the buggy water.

niel 

Saturday, November 26th, 2022

A Tom and Niel MIA Swim Report -

Tom is in the Bay Area this weekend. I expect he will be swimming at Avila on Tuesday. 

Me, I'm waiting out the wetsuit rash on my neck to not be scabby before I get back in the water.

I did my part trying to emulate Duke and Jodi by swimming through the injury to my neck but the solution was to just stop and let it heal.  I'm estimating next Saturday for my return.

A Black Friday Deal On a Patagonia Wetsuit -

I'm selling my almost new Patagonia R3 Front Zip Wetsuit. I have used it for 6 swims and it is just not going to be for me.

The R3's are a great wetsuit. I've worn out 7 R3 back zip's. They are 3.5/4.5. They got me through the coldest water temperatures and kept me in the water through every winter. I decided to try the front zip version this time and getting it on and off is too difficult because of an old injury to my right shoulder.  I can do it but it feels too risky. 

So,  It is a Medium Tall. $489 new. Yours for $225.

Call or TEXT - 805.704.1817 

niel

      

Thursday, November 24th, 2022

 Tom's Swim Report - 

Tom swim report for Thanksgiving morning: clear blue skies, air temperature was 60° when I got in at 945. There was a rolling bump on the water along with a 3 foot wave.  The water continues to be a solid 51°, although I hit some spots that I am calling 50 on the west side.  All in all, I am thankful for the beautiful water and swim! And, thankful for the brownies that Blog Master Niel brought me after my swim! Treats!  

Great to see you Tom. Kris and I had a very nice walk along the seawall. The Holiday's in the Central Coast can't be beat!

niel 

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022

The Word For Today Was:

Stimulating?  Invigorating?  Inspiring? Shocking?........or

It was obsoletely beautiful in Avila Beach this morning except at 7:30 the air temperature was 32°F Only 19 degrees less than the water.  Everything else was the same, clear water, a swell out of the SW. Getting in didn't seem too bad. I sure didn't linger once I got out of my car. I already had my wetsuit on, just grabbed my cap and goggles, kicked off my Uggs and in my haste almost locked myself out of my car. Not being able to get to my stuff and my swim and dry off would have been too much extra fun.     

I did the Big Triangle, which can be close to 2000M if you get the corners in the right places.  

I had some trouble with my wetsuit. I didn't get it on right and the inner collar kept coming out letting water in. 

Unfortunately, I've got a bad rub on the back of my neck and will need to site out for a week (?) until it heals.  

I saw Tom parking as I was leaving. He sent this swim report:  

Solid 51 in the water today! Significantly, smaller bump, though. Beautiful day, beautiful swim. Oh, whenever you make those brownies, if you're willing to share, I would love to have one. :-)

(I had a box of brownie mix on the front seat) Tom probably needs the extra calories more than I do so I'll oblige him. 

niel

 

Sunday, November 20th, 2022

 Winter At Avila Beach -

Super clear skies, light winds, no crowds, a clean ocean with no red tide and great visibility in the cold water. 

 

Tom was getting out when I arrived. I spoke with him as he was getting out. He thought the conditions were the same as yesterday. 

 

The air temperature was in the upper 60's, the water was 52° (my thermometer said 53°+ but Tom, David and I say 52°) and there was the same short period swell out of the SW that was pushy but not bothersome. It didn't look like much from shore but it grave the water a nice character.

 

David and I went out to the end of the Avila Pier and did four crossings between the Avila and Cal Poly Piers. We swam to the second crossbars, to a spot on the Avila Pier directly across from us, to the third crossbars and back to the end of the Avila Pier. It turned out to be a nice distance.  

David and Niel at the third crossbars on the CPP.

I expect to be back Tuesday morning at 8.

niel 

Saturday, November 19th, 2022

Saturday was another great day for swimming at Avila. At 7:30 the air temperature was already about 60°. It was clear and sunny with an offshore breeze and small, short period swell from the SW. The water was 11°C/51.8°F. I took a lap around the CPP on the west side and the reef buoy on the east side.   

I saw Tom arriving as I was leaving.

I'll be back tomorrow at 11.

niel

Wednesday, November 16th, 2022

My schedule is all messed up this week, so here I am swimming on Wednesday morning.

The conditions were great. at 7:00 it was 49°, sunny and there was an offshore breeze from the NE. The water was nice and clear and 11°C/51.8°F. Some 3 to 4 footers would sneak in amongst the smaller waves. 

The County's water samples from Avila Beach on Monday were within state standards so I swam on both sides of the pier. The wind freshened during my loop back to the start making things a bit pushy and bumpy.     

Cal Fire Pismo was there training new recruits.  

I'll be back on Saturday morning.

niel

 

Tuesday, November 15th, 2022

 Tom's Swimming Report - 

Clear blue skies, glassy calm water. 51° air temperature, 51° water temperature when I got in at 9:30.  Beautiful day of swimming. A prediction: The water will be in the 40s by early December. 

Thanks Tom

niel

Sunday, November 13th, 2022

 

Avila's numbers for Sunday: Air temp. - 60°, Clouds - 0, Wind - Light but getting gusty, Water temp. - 11.5°C/52.7°F, People to share the beach with - Less than 10, Surf - 1 foot+.  The surface of the water was picking up some texture and looked like it could get blown out later.    

I'm going to avoid the west side of the pier at least until Thursday. The county will have water samples from Monday morning to see if the funk from last week's rain has washed out.

I decided to swim to Avila Rock and to come back via Fossil Point instead of doubling back. 

On my right four pelicans on Avila Rock and on my left Fossil Point.

The water is beautiful, very clear with great visibility. It felt warmer today than yesterday morning. I think that was the warmer air and sunshine and not me feeling a .5° increase in the temperature.  On the way out I had an easier time of it than it realized. The wind was picking up and coming back was pretty bumpy and a bit of a slog.

Tom swam earlier. We both saw Duke, Tom when he was getting in and myself when I was getting out. He is planning on being back in the water to swim a U Burner on December 15th. I'll be there.

I'll swim Tuesday morning on the east side of the pier. 

niel   

Saturday, November 12th, 2022

Somebody Turned Off The Water Heater While I Was Gone 

I was back in the water this morning after a 10 day break. It was a perfect morning for swimming with clear blue skies, no wind, flat and glassy water and knee high surf. The hiccup was that in the last 10 days the water temperature has cratered into the low 50's. Off of Fossil Point I measured a water temp of 11°C/51.8°F.  Over the last week Tom toes have been reporting 51° to 52° so he is well calibrated. 

When I got in at 7:40 the air temperature was 38° but the sun felt strong and it was going to warm up nicely. It was in the 50's at 9:30 when I left. 

 

The Blue Water Task Force numbers at Avila and up San Luis Creek from Thursday morning were high to very high (50X the limit for contact with the water) for bacteria so I planned to stay well away from the creek mouth and the right side of the pier.  

https://bwtf.surfrider.org/explore/34

I swam to Fossil Point, to the end of the Avila Pier, to the reef buoy and back to the pier.

This was a nice route and one that I have never done before. 

'Normal' winter water temperatures in Avila are in the mid 50's with a drop into the low 50's in the spring when we have offshore winds. Two years ago the water went from 55° to 51° Thanksgiving weekend and didn't pull above 52° until May. Last winter was back to 'normal'. I'm guessing that we are going to have a lot of cold swimming this winter.

Tom and I will be back tomorrow. I'll get in at 11.

niel

Tuesday, November 8th, 2022

The county Health Dept. has closed the beaches for 72 hours due to the risk of bacteria in the water.

Tom and I will be in the water on Saturday.

niel

Saturday, November 5th, 2022

Tom's Swim Report - 

Another excellent fall day here at Avila. Sunny, clear blue skies and scattered clouds.  Slight breeze, and a bump on the water.  The water was 53° again.  Excellent morning of swimming.

Thanks Tom, I'll be sitting out until next Saturday so it is all yours until then.

niel 

Thursday, November 2nd, 2022

 Swim Report By Tom - 

Oh, Niel! We lost a degree this morning… My toes and teeth are telling me 53–54. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful fall day at Avila! Swimming was beautiful. 

Thanks Tom!

My Oh My. The usual winter water temps are around 55° so this is early for the water to be this cold. We may have a second extra cold winter ahead of us. 

Two years ago the water hit 51° right after Thanksgiving and didn't get above 52° until April.......

niel

November 1st, 2022

It was very fallish in Avila Beach this morning. It was getting light enough to swim at 7AM. There was a light wind. The ocean looked wintery or stormy with a small chop and a lot of swell. The waves are now 3 to 4 feet and are traveling faster and carrying a lot more energy. Even the whitewater wants to push me over.  The air temperature was 49°F and I measured a water temperature of 12.5°C/54.5°F at the end of the Avila Pier.  It didn't feel colder than last week but duck diving through the surf kept me from thinking about the water temperature. My feet are starting to stay cold for the entire swim so that is a sign of entering the lower 50's.  

I swam back and forth to the four buoys on the west side of the pier.

I'm guessing that last weekend was the end of the season for the lifeguards and that the swim line buoys will be coming out later this month.  

I have a meeting Thursday morning and will not be able to swim after. If this meeting becomes a regular thing I am going to need to find another day for my Thursday swim.

I will be back Saturday morning at 7ish. The time changes Sunday so I'll have more daylight for my early morning swims. NO, I will not be showing up at 6. 

As I was leaving I spoke to Tom as he was getting ready to jump in. If he texts' me I'll post his comments:   

Beautiful swimming this morning. Definitely fall conditions – my toes had 54°. Crisp, blue skies, scattered clouds. Decent swell, with a bump on top.  

https://www.npr.org/2022/10/31/1132768433/katie-ledecky-world-record-1500

If you missed this: Katie Ledecky broke the world record for the short course 1500M by 10 seconds. 

niel   

Sunday, October 30th, 2022

 

At 10:30 it was 73°, clear, sunny and breezy in Avila Beach. The beach felt as empty as the photo. The water was clean, the lips of the waves were transparent and there were occasional 3 to 4 foot waves. The water temperature was 56°. 

David and I swam from the end of the Avila Pier to the second crossbars on the CPP, along the pier to the third crossbars, back to the end of the Avila Pier and then out to the end of the CPP and back. The wind was picking up and the leg from the Avila Pier to the end of the CPP was uphill all of the way and steeper near the CPP. The ride back had a nice push but was still choppy.  

Tom's report:
Swam at Cayucos again this morning...  wild conditions! Pretty decent size swell was in along with the wind chop. Made it a good adventure swim!  Water felt 56 again… 

I'll be back Tuesday morning at 7. 

niel