The Pier Swim Game

Today there was only a handful of surfers in the water.  The south side had some 4 foot waves now and then that looked nice, but most of the beach was very choppy and closed out in close.  I had a hard time swimming out against an incoming tide that was really cold and very choppy sideways.  I had 2 small gulps of water to make me gag a bit.  I froze for 16 minutes pretty good until I hit the end of the pier.  The swim was 30 minutes; it took a bit less coming in because I had a little push from the tide.  I may have to take a few days off; I have a pinched nerve in my neck where it's fused. 
Good swim today. Getting the year off to a good start.

"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

Second Annual New Year's Day Pier Swim Oceanside CA

North County Times Article New Year's Day Plunge

I added this link to today's article in the North County Times covering the cold plunge in the beach.

I do my own cold plunge in Oceanside.

It was a little rough getting in but nothing like yesterday.  The water pulled south mildly; farther out there was no current.  The water temp says 56-58.  It was cold today, like yesterday.  I froze for a good 14 minutes, which was when I hit the end of the pier and checked my watch.  The way in was warmer.  Lots of beachgoers enjoying a gorgeous day.  Only one idiot doing a pier swim in trunks: that would be me. Time 28 1/2 minutes. 
I can tell you in that cold water you really think about kicking harder and faster, and doing a quicker and more effective arm stroke.  I declare myself the winner, once again, of the Second Annual New Year's Day Pier Swim.  And once again I was the sole participant.  Perhaps next year a few of the Del Mar Plungers will do the Oceanside Pier Swim.

"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

New Year's Eve Pier Swim Oceanside, CA

The water was freezing today.  Surfline has it as 56-58 but I'd bet $$ on the 56-57.  Face hurt, body froze, hard to get through the surf zone cold.  I was pretty frozen by the time I was done in 32 minutes.  The ocean was extremely choppy: about a two-foot chop all around.  No kidding.  I swallowed some water a few times.  Getting out it was difficult to get past the surf before I was pulled into the pier.  I had my doubts whether I could make it.  There were about a dozen surfers on the south side but crummy shape to the waves.  As I was coming through the surf, one surfer asked me, " Are you frozen?"  I said, " Yeah, I am today; I really am."  He said there was an upwelling of cold water.  The ocean was dirty; I guess with the recent light rains running off into the beaches. 
So, what about my New Year's Day Pier Swim?  I suppose I'll do it alone.  It will be my second annual.  I hope I come in first place.


"The first time you quit is the last time you try."