Friday, August 1st, 2025

Tom's Friday Swim - 

Overcast with a little bit of blue showing. Toes in the water at 900 a.m.  The water had lost the tsunami eerie calm of the last couple days, but it was still pretty flat. There was a slight breeze and the water temperature was 60°. By the time I got out an hour later lots of blue sky was showing and the crowds were pouring into Avila.  I am guessing the valley folks are getting their last beach days in before the kids go back to school. A lovely Friday morning swim. 

Thursday, July 31st. 2025

 The Tsunami Conditions Continue - 

Yesterday Tom reported that the tsunami seemed to have flattened out the ocean to an unusual level.  The conditions were the same today. There was no swell, maybe 1 foot surf, no wind and a spooky flat and calm ocean. The overcast and the clean 58° water were familiar.   

Things were right for a visit to the small cave on the west side of Fossil Point. The cave is accessible when the conditions are right, I was able to swim up to it once and climb in, but this morning I didn't like my chances of floating over the sea urchins that are on the rocks in front of the entrance. 

After my swim Duke and I met for some coffee and to catch up. His PT wants him to get back in the water so when he is ready I hope to see him on the beach. 

I'll swim Saturday at 7 and Sunday at 11.

niel

Wednesday, July 30th, 2025

 

Heavy marine layer, a tsunami no-show, and two dolphins.  The port had signs up saying the beach was closed when I arrived at 820 AM. This did not match up with the flat, calm water.   As I was changing, the lifeguards came and removed the signs… I asked them if they had seen any sign of the tsunami and they said had not. Perhaps there is a type of tsunami that actually makes the water more flat and calm because those were the conditions this morning. Flat, calm, and glassy. The water temperature felt about 60°. And it was nice to see a couple dolphins casually swimming on the east side inside the bouy line.  An excellent Wednesday morning Swim. 

Tuesday, July 29th, 2025

On Tuesday at 6:50 it was 58° in Avila with 58° water, no wind, one foot surf, and glassy to rippled surface conditions. It was foggy but I could see the Poly Pier from where I park my car at Front and San Miguel Streets. 

At the Poly Pier

I just wandered about today and swam for an hour. When I got out the fog had become overcast with a hint of sunshine.

I'll swim at 7 on Thursday and Saturday.

niel 

Monday, July 28th, 2025

Tom Lorish's Monday Swim - 

What can I say, the conditions remain largely the same… Overcast, a very slight breeze, flat and mostly calm water. Toes in the water at 920 AM. The water temperature was 58°. The swimming was excellent. 

Sunday, July 27th, 2025

Sunshine at the Beach - 

At 10:30 it was already sunny and warm at Avila Beach with just partial clouds. It was 74° with a light wind and clearing skys.  I measured a water temperature of 59° off of the pier and found plenty of warmer spots out there. It was comfy swimming. The surf was 1 - 2 foot. 

There was something on the camera's lens,

this is the least blurry photo.  

I did a ping pong route between the Avila and Poly Piers. The leg from the end of the Avila Pier to the third crossbars on the P Pier was a push into the chop but the downhill leg back to the Avila Pier was a nice way to finish.

I will swim this coming Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7 and next Sunday at 11.

niel   

Saturday, July 26th, 2025

Jim and I got in the water a bit before 7. The conditions are holding at a 58° air temperature, a 56° to 57° water temperature, no wind, hardly any waves, a  -.8' tide this morning made for a short swim to the buoy line and visibility was excellent (10'+), for this time of the year.    

We liked the idea of doing a Yo-Yo route on the east side of the Avila Pier so we swam out to the end of the pier and then to and back each buoy starting with #4, so that each lap is shorter.  

I had some issues operating the GoPro this morning so the best photo is 

a bit of Jim adjusting his cap, my finger, and a lot of glassy water. 

There is a hot rod Chevy truck meet and show in Avila this weekend and from what I saw on the road there will be a lot of amazing vehicles. 

I'll swim tomorrow at 11.

niel  

Friday, July 25th, 2025

Tom's Toes for Friday - 

The conditions continue… Except for one thing: the water dropped to about 56°. No doubt yesterday's wind had something to do with it.  The water was dimpled and the clarity remains very nice.  Excellent Friday morning vitamin. 

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

 

Just one lap was the right distance for this morning.  The conditions are stuck in a nice place: 59° air, 58° water, smooth and flat with no wind or swell, 2, maybe 3 foot surf and nice unseasonably clean water.  Just the thing before a 11 AM meeting.

I'll swim Saturday at 7. Paula may be the only other member of the Saturday Club there. 

niel

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025

Another Nice Swim for Tom - 

Overcast with blue sky showing on the horizon. The water was calm and glassy and the beach was bustling with  lifeguard activity.  The water temperature was 57° in some spots and 58 in others. It was a beautiful morning Swim.  On a sidenote: I give a full Neptune salute and hearty applause to BMN (Blog Master Niel) for his amazing birthday Swim!  7500M for his 75th!  Well done, Niel. 

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025

 My 2025 Birthday Swim - 

Done after 3:17:42 in the water. 

Is that just goggle face or am I actually a bit tired?

Swimming conditions couldn't have been better. When I got in at 6:40 the air and water were 58°, it was overcast and calm with glassy water and 2 foot surf. It was the same when I got out.

My birthday is on January 27th but the swims have not been on my birthday for several years. Winter water conditions are often too cold and too likely to have high bacteria for me to get the distance in to be able to swim my age so I get it done this time of the year.   

7761 M for my 75th year.

I'll swim at 8ish on Thursday morning, at 7 on Saturday and 11 on Sunday. 

niel    

Monday, July 21st. 2025

Tom Lorish's Swim Report

Classic summer day at Avila this morning… Overcast, a small wave rolling in, calm water and good swimming.  The water temperature continues to be about 57°. 

Sunday, July 20th, 2025

Tom Lorish Takes His Crew to the Avila Rock. - 

Grey skies, a slight breeze and a small bump on the water. Four of my Water Polo girls and one of their dads joined me for the swim. The dad is preparing to do the 20 bridges Swim around Manhattan, New York in September.  Now I know where his daughter got her speed. He is an impressive swimmer.  To to give him the proper introduction to Avila swimming, we swam around the rock. It was a good swim. The water temperature was 57°. 

Saturday, July 19th, 2025

 

Niel, Tom and Jodi with the Avila Rock and Fossil Point in the background. 

I can do this almost by memory: at 7 this morning the air temp was 58°, I measured a water temp of 57°, but it swam colder, it was overcast and calm with flat, glassy water with good visibility.  The surf was 2 to 3 foot with a small swell. 

Niel, Tom Israel and Jodi, swam to the Avila Rock. Once there we looped around the rock and swam towards Fossil Point, stopped to chat with a gentleman on a paddleboard and continued to the 4th buoy. Then we swam to the end of the Avila Pier and in from there.

There were some cold spots but the water stayed flat for us so the swimming was very nice.   

I'm taking a rest day tomorrow. I'll swim at 6:30 on Tuesday, 7 on Thursday and by myself at 7 on Saturday. Paula will be in Ireland, Jodi will be in Greece and Tom will be hiking near Mineral King, so I'll have the pool all to myself.

niel 

Friday, July 18th, 2025

 Tom Lorish's Friday Swim -

Heavy overcast, glassy calm water, and the odd 3 foot wave. Toes in the water at 915 AM. My toes tell me the water temperature was 57°. If all that sounded incredibly similar to Wednesday, it's because it was. And the swimming was lovely.