Tuesday, February, 4th, 2025

 No Rain But Plenty Bumpy -

San Luis Obispo received just 3/100" of rain last night so I wasn't concerned about the water quality this morning. 

Today's swim number was 103.  At 7 the air temp was 51° and the water felt warmer than it has been, maybe 52° +/-  with no shock to bare skin. The ocean was in storm mode with a strong, steady wind out of the SE that was pushing a one foot chop on top of the 4' waves. The waves were close together without much of a break between them.    

This photo was taken after I got out when the light was better.

To get out I pushed my way out through the breakers until I couldn't touch the bottom to jump over them, and then started swimming and ducking under the waves until I was outside the break.  Coming back in the waves had laid down and I was able to swim directly to where I could stand up. 

The first leg from the #1 to #4 buoys was the most difficult. It took me a while to figure out the tempo of the water and to figure out how to time my stroke.  Each leg was different. Today swimming across the swell was the best because it made the swells seem flatter.     

Near the end of the Avila Pier. 

Between now and Thursday enough rain is predicted that I do not expect to swim Thursday morning. The Surfrider Blue Water Task Force will collect water samples at Avila Thursday morning and will have results posted mid-day Friday. If the bacteria counts are OK I'll swim Saturday and Sunday.

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

niel