Cold Swim on Camp Pendleton

That's the buoy that I swam out to, around, and back in-just once today. Hey, what happens in one day? The water was freezin' today-my face hurt just like winter-so that probably means a temp of about 57 or so. It got a little warmer about 100 yards out there, which was nice. The day was beautiful, though. Sun-tanners but only a few people in the water. I had brought my wet suit and fins but decided not to wear either one. The water was flat and nice-relaxing.

Oceanside Harbor to Pier Swim May 1, 2011

So this evening (or late afternoon) I got in just north of the south jetty where the surf contest setup tents are located. I swam out about 100

yards and headed south to the Pier and around the Pier.

I passed a few hundred yards south of the Pier and then in to the beach. The inside waves were still throwing me into the sand at the low water line. The water was chillier than yesterday, but no wet suit necessary. It was brisk, clean, and crisp. The water was flat out there today, so breathing and swimming were easy. It makes such a difference whether the chop is making you inhale/swallow water or one can breathe and relax while swimming. I wore fins but would have been ok without them. I probably swam a good mile in my own personal ocean. Then, I had a bit of energy left so I jogged back to my car at the Harbor. I did have to stop about four times briefly to gasp for breath on the run back.

Oceanside CA Open Water Swim

The water was extremely rough today, much like yesterday but more difficult to breathe with an interesting strong chop blowing to the southeast. Water temp a bit chillier but no wet suit necessary for the intrepid. Fins were required by myself, as I desired to return to dry land on my own power. These pictures give a more pleasant view of the water than the view experienced 150 yards from shore by this swimmer. A vigorous swim, worth the trip.

Rough Water Swim Oceanside CA

Wow. Friday afternoon the water was angry. From day to day one never knows what we'll experience out past the breakers. The inside break was rough and surgy at about 3 feet. Then, there was a distinct outside break all chopped up and rough, also running south at about 3 to 6 feet. Swim under those waves or get pounded! Fun! I had air yesterday so no stress under the rough waves. There are days when I don't have the air so I get a bit of the panic under the rough stuff getting the heck beat out of me. Those are the days that I love my fins.

So, I swam a lap around the buoy. All the way around it was rough. Getting out required enjoying a throw-down by a few waves into the sand. I swam a second lap and had enough. What was different today was that out there the water was much cleaner today-a beautiful, deeper blue hue. The depth there is about 30-35 feet which I suppose reveals the prettier blue color. I did enjoy the fresh feel of the clean water today. A good swim. I jogged a bit on the sand and my calves wimped out on me. That's another long-term project. Bye for now. Darnit-no pictures again.

Open Water Swim Oceanside CA

Thursday after work the water at the beach on Camp Pendleton was beautiful. It's summertime warm water now. The water out there was pretty calm so the swim was mellow. You never know what's out there-how the current or chop is, so I wore the fins and swam a lap around the buoy. I swam another lap without the fins, and finally a third lap with the fins. I was feeling energetic. Forgot the camera again.