Tuesday, March 31st, 2026

Starting To Go Longer -  

The swimming conditions were very nice today so I decided to start pushing out my distance. I also had an idea for a different course. It would be longer than my usual 3,200M but I wasn't sure how long it would be, but figured I try it and quit when I was done having fun. 

The numbers were an air temperature of 58° and a water temperature of 59°. The surf was two foot, there was no wind or chop, just a swell from the SE. The clarity of the water is excellent (for Avila Beach).

My course would be to swim out and back along the east and west buoy lines and to connect the halves by swimming out and around the Avila Pier. A complete loop would start and end at the #1 buoy on the east side. I did two loops in 1:52:46 and 4,628M. Two hours is getting to the far end of my ability without any nutrition so I was starting to feel the distance for the last loop around the pier. 

My plan is to do 4 to 5K swims and to see if I get my distance up to where I'll do my 2026 Birthday Swim. It will be 7,600M this year. 

I have not heard from Dave Van Mouwerik in some time. Dave, if you are reading this Scott Zorning is moving to Cambria in June and would like to connect with you. Scott is also looking for local ocean swimmers to swim with. If anyone knows of people swimming in Cambria or Morro Bay please pass their info along.  Scott is a U.S. Masters Swimming All-American and the current holder of five long-distance open water swimming records.

And if you missed Dr. Chris Lowe's presentation about white sharks at the SLO Library a few months back he will be the April presenter for Science After Dark at the Central Coast Aquarium on April 28th. Tickets are still available from the aquarium's website. 

   

I'll swim Thursday and Saturday at 7.

niel