Camp Pendleton Buoy Swim

No wet suit needed today. I swam out to the buoy at the 21 area beach, around it, and back in. A quick swim, but fun. The water is cleaner, albeit rough. I was dumped swimming in by a large wave that I didn't see coming. The current was running from north to south pretty strongly. Afterwards, I jogged up the beach on the sand and I could hardly pick up my legs as I finished up. A fun, quick workout. No camera, though. I need to put that thing in my car.

Swim on Camp Pendleton

I haven't been in the water for a week because my neck has been acting up. Today, a friend and I went into the water after work. I didn't have a wet suit so I just wore my bathing suit with rash shorts underneath. I also had my swim cap. The water was warmer than last week. Surfline says 61 but I think it was a few degrees warmer.
The beach at Pendleton was jumping with big, rough waves. It was fun. We went out about 250 yards to the buoy and returned to shore. Good fun. No pictures, though.

Sunday Afternoon Rough Water Swim Oceanside

No pictures again. I probably need to purchase an inexpensive waterproof camera. The water was about 62 degrees, dirty, very sloppy, and very rough out there. I swam against the current; the current was running very strongly from south to north. The chop was rough, at least two feet. It kicked my butt. With my fins and webbed gloves, I barely had the strength to pull and kick myself around the pier.

Kayak/Swim Oceanside Pier Saturday, April 16

No pictures again. Went to the beach with a used kayak I bought with my son. The plan was for him to be a safety kayaker while I swam farther out. The water was warmer, probably 62. Waves nice, medium to small size, 3 feet. However, the tide was coming in and the waves grew, to 3 to 5 feet on the big sets. Very hard time getting the kayak launched into the surf, flipped over at least 3 times. The paddle we had is a piece of junk; it kept separating into two halves, wouldn't stay together. I need to buy a new paddle ASAP. Also, after home, realized that I was missing a 1 inch drain plug at the bow, so took on water below decks in the kayak, making it heavy. Altogether, a kayak disaster, but my swim was nice, with smooth water and gentle 3 foot sells out there. Wish I had a camera but I didn't take mine because I knew that it would get wet and ruined.

Oceanside Tea Party Rally at the Pier Friday April 15

No pictures today. I had three days off with a painful neck, and when I drove by the Pier after work, I was thinking that if it was calm I'd swim. It was much calmer than a few days ago, so I took a nice, slow swim around the pier with fins and gloves on. My neck hurt and right shoulder but it was good to ease along and relax. The water isn't very clean; it has a slight brownish tint to it. No visibility. Small waves. Not too cold, probably 62 or so. When I got out and was walking past the bandshell toward my car parked up above the strand, I heard country music playing, which was very nice. I think it was the Zack Brown Band's "I got my toes in the water, my a** in the sand..." I was feeling good that there was a get together with country music and American flags until I saw the signs "Tea Party Rally," and "Taxpayers Revolution," etc. That ruined it for me. I support our government helping those who need help, like the poor, the elderly, the working poor, the middle class, people who want health insurance & jobs, and sharing the wealth. The Tea Party is anathema to me. But it was a nice atmosphere in spite of the signs and placards with which I disagree. I think that I'll be back in the water tomorow, and I'll bring the camera.