Tuesday, November 5th, 2024

It is Getting Physical Out There -

In the last two weeks the water at Avila Beach has transitioned to full winter conditions. 10 days ago the water temperature dropped to the bottom of the 50's and shows no signs of warming up. In the last week the swell has increased and we now have 4+ foot waves.      

The waves don't have the power of storm surf but these were breaking in 5' of water so they looked plenty large when I was standing there working my way out.

There will be king tides the 15th, 16th and 17th.         

Paying attention to timing the surf kept me from paying thinking much about the water temperature so it wasn't until I was swimming down the buoy line that the idea of 49° to 50° water became part of today' swim.  The air temp was 43°, there was no wind and the water is very clean. I could feel the swell everywhere along my route and it was adding quite a bit of vertical to the water near the reef buoy.  

I have a new pair pf 3mm Patagonia surf booties that are the warmest ones that I've had. They also have the most durable sole of any of my previous booties and look like they will stand up to getting in and out of the surf. 

 

I'll swim Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

niel