Sea Lions in Oceanside Harbor

Here's an article in the North County Times April 3, 2011 about sea lions in Oceanside Harbor: share

IRONMAN TRIATHLON OCEANSIDE CA LATE AFTERNOON

So, after the crowds of athletes had departed, I went down for my late afternoon ocean swim at the pier. The wind had whipped up beginning in the early afternoon in Oceanside and the sky had clouded over. Well, to my surprise, once I got into the water, I realized that someone (perhaps God) had changed the whole flow of the ocean backwards, and in one day. Well, I suppose since He created the Heavens and the Earth in seven days, for Him to reverse the current of the water at the beach in Oceanside was small potatoes. I could see before I went in that the water was rough and choppy, so I wore my webbed gloves and swim fins. I didn't think that it was so rough that I might want the safety of my US Divers swimmer's safety vest, so I didn't wear it. Once in, I had a hard time swimming out past the breakers, and then a more difficult time swimming southward, because I was swimming INTO the current. It was really strange. I had to swim and kick HARD to get toward the pier, and also the water was pulling me out seaward. I couldn't keep myself on a straight line, as the ocean had its way with me. The water was washing machine choppy, so there was no rhythm to my swimming. Once I got around the pier, it was still difficult swimming in; usually it is an easier swim IN as the flow of the waves building helps push oneself toward the sand. Not Saturday. Oh well, all in all it was an interesting swim; however, as I am a safety guy, there was a short time out there when I realized that I should have been wearing my safety vest. Here's a few pictures, but, as usual, pictures don't show the true nature of the water; One really has to be IN it to appreciate the power (and also the beauty) of the ocean.

As it turned out, having the Ironman Triathlon swim inside the safety of the Oceanside Harbor, even with its oily, dirty water, proved to be the safer and wiser venue for the athletes. I was wrong again; what else is new?

Ironman Triathlon Oceanside Tomorrow April 2, 2011

After work I went down to the beach and took a long, extended swim around the pier. It was flat and beautiful. Warmer. About 60, maybe warmer. Waves 1-3 feet, good shape, surfable all along the beach, spread out. Lots of beachgoers and surfers. As usual, I was the only ocean swimmer. I have Oceanside beyond the breakers to myself. Wow!

Wet suit still, no gloves, fins.

Here's some pictures of the scene.

pre ROHTO IRONMAN TRIATHLON OCEANSIDE April 2, 2011

I swam the pier after work today and it was very nice. The water was glassy flat out past 2-3 foot, well-shaped waves ready to be surfed. The surfers were scattered along a long stretch of beach because there were so many corners to surf-no need to crowd in on each other today.

I took a few pictures from the street above the beach.

No webbed gloves today, but I did wear my fins (my security blanket).

Temp about 59-60 degrees and I hit several warm bands of water.

Gosh, it was so nice having the whole ocean past the breakers to myself! One really does have it all to oneself out there; it's really hard to believe when you think about it. On a day like today, there should be a hundred ocean swimmers out there taking advantage of how lucky we are to have this resource free-just the cost of a parking meter. For me, $1.25 to $2.00 per day.

The Pier area was bustling with athletes and locals taking advantage of a beautiful day-low seventies for air temperature.

The athletes must be enjoying themselves, those who are in town for this Saturday's Ironman Triathlon. They really should have their swim in the ocean; who the heck wants to swim in an enclosed boat harbor?

Oh well, more ocean for me. Best of luck to you triathletes-you are amazing.

Much-Improved Water Conditions for ROHTO Ironman Triathlon Oceanside April 2, 2011

I got into the water for a swim around the pier this afternoon and the water was MUCH nicer than yesterday and the last few weeks. It felt warmer than the 59 degrees that the report said. The ocean was quite flat and smooth for relaxed swimming and breathing. This bodes well for swimming conditions at this weekend's Oceanside Triathlon Swim if conditions hold.