When I got to the beach this afternoon I decided to wear my Churchill Slasher fins along with this thin, wet-suit jacket that I have in the trunk. The water looked quite rough and ugly, and I wanted the fins for survival. My neck is out of whack again so I couldn't freestyle swim; I decided to go for a kick swim lying on my back. The water was a cold 55 degrees. The waves were up to 4 foot with lots of power in them. Also there was a chop up to 2 feet everywhere. I was kicking away to get out through the surf zone; moving across past the pier was ok; but the kick in was surprisingly difficult. I kept thinking that the water didn't make sense. If I'm kicking hard against the water to get out farther (this is out past the breakers), then kicking in on the south side of the pier should be easier, because I'll be kicking WITH the water flow. But this didn't occur. How can I be swimming against the movement of the water on both sides of the pier? Really, I don't get it.
It took me 44 minutes to do the swim.
So afterward, I'm putting clothes on at my car in the parking lot, and there is this lady with her son parked next to me. The boy is looking like a small, fourteen-year-old kid in his wet-suit who is heading toward the rough water with his surfboard. I was impressed with the kid's guts and assumed ability so I say to the lady, "Hi, is that your kid?" I follow it up with, "I'm amazed at these young kids who go out in that water. They sure are tough." (or similar words). She is annoyed by my existence and walks to the far side of her car (a Mercedes 4 door expensive car) and opens her back door and gets in. End of my attempt at being amiable at the beach. I got dissed. All I wanted to do was compliment her son. I HAVE to learn NOT to be nice to people at the beach. What is wrong with me?
"The first time you quit is the last time you try."
She sounds like a beez
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