Wow! I decided to take my fins to the beach today to test them out on my low back. I was expecting the washing machine choppy water and I wanted the fins for propulsion and for working on my strength.
It turns out that the water was not as choppy and sloppy as prior days. It wasn't smooth, but just less rough. First off the water was a bit colder; I'd guess 66 degrees. It was very refreshing for a change. Visibility just a few feet. Waves 2-4 feet. Outside waves were crashing down straight down. I, with my fins, just kicked out through the rough stuff on my back like I knew what I was doing.
I'll pat myself on the back for getting farther out and pushing myself more today. I almost felt like a person who belonged in the ocean.
Now, for a general Oceanside beach update, I will report that Camp Pendleton has at least two fires going today, possibly a smaller third one. From out in the water one gets a good view of Pendleton in the distance. Because it is Thursday and there is a street fair in downtown Oceanside, everybody and his brother were driving there looking for a parking spot. Too much!
The sand at 6:30 PM was near empty--just how I like it.
A bit of excitement walking back to my car--one of our homeless, schizophrenic wretches--a man of about 35-40, shirtless, ratty shorts, red/brown weather-beaten face, way out of our reality, was ambling down Surfrider calling out repeatedly in a screeching voice "I'm gonna die; I'm gonna die; I'm gonna die..."
I'm being harsh in my description but I actually am terribly upset with our society that has pretty much eliminated our social service system for the mentally ill, the homeless, the addicts in need of rehabilitation, etc. There are so many of these throw-away people now that we pretend we don't see them anymore. I don't know.
"The first time you quit is the last time you try."
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Choppy Swim Again
I don't remember the beach being so choppy for so many days. I swam for about twenty minutes on the south side of the Pier this afternoon, earlier than usual for me. The water was warm, about 70, with visibility up to six feet, I'd say. A few surfers, but nothing to surf: 1-2 foot waves with lousy shape.
The Lifeguards again had everybody crammed in a much smaller area than last year. There's gotta be a new boss. I swam out, then south along the beach, and back in to the sand. I was tired halfway through and stopped to rest several times. But I'm ready for some smooth water out here. I need to make some progress.
Oh, I just remembered. I was bothered by the scuzzy young adult blocking the underpass walkway to the beach with the "Kick me in the balls for $20" sign. But the large-bellied Latino man who was picking his bathing suit liner out of his butt in the outdoor shower was too much.
"The first time you quit is the last time you try."
The Lifeguards again had everybody crammed in a much smaller area than last year. There's gotta be a new boss. I swam out, then south along the beach, and back in to the sand. I was tired halfway through and stopped to rest several times. But I'm ready for some smooth water out here. I need to make some progress.
Oh, I just remembered. I was bothered by the scuzzy young adult blocking the underpass walkway to the beach with the "Kick me in the balls for $20" sign. But the large-bellied Latino man who was picking his bathing suit liner out of his butt in the outdoor shower was too much.
"The first time you quit is the last time you try."
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Monday August 10th, Surfrider Beach
It was not crowded Monday at 6 PM for my dip in the ocean so I was happy. There was an unmarked police car working its way through the alley streets and side streets in the Surfrider area today. Good. Various homeless types, druggies, and ne'erdowells were about doing their furtive thing.
Water. First, because the sand was near empty, I just enjoyed looking at it. I like when the sun is moving downward to its resting place for the night. It still had a good hour to go but it's a neat time of afternoon. Same warm water, sloppy chop, and mild rip south to north.
I got into the blue sudsy stuff and headed out--no big waves--and floated a bit. Not to brag, but I'm a pretty good floater. I swam southward in the chop for a hundred yards. Then in half-way and out again for a brief swim. I think I'm doing the right thing--just short distances and building back up over time. I'm planning on a lot of time.
"The first time you quit is the last time you try."
Water. First, because the sand was near empty, I just enjoyed looking at it. I like when the sun is moving downward to its resting place for the night. It still had a good hour to go but it's a neat time of afternoon. Same warm water, sloppy chop, and mild rip south to north.
I got into the blue sudsy stuff and headed out--no big waves--and floated a bit. Not to brag, but I'm a pretty good floater. I swam southward in the chop for a hundred yards. Then in half-way and out again for a brief swim. I think I'm doing the right thing--just short distances and building back up over time. I'm planning on a lot of time.
"The first time you quit is the last time you try."
August 7th, Surfrider Short Swim
I got in at Surfrider Beach at 6 PM and it was still crowded. Things have changed. I used to have it alone to myself in the late afternoon and evening. Well, it WAS Friday evening so it's understandable.
Sloppy water. Warm, mild northward rip current as is oftentimes the case there. No big waves to fight through to get out tonight. Past the waves I swam a couple of hundred yards. I can't think of anything notable about this quick trip. There was a good chop outside so I wasn't able to navigate it. No stamina yet but the back was good in the water.
"The first time you quit is the last time you try."
Sloppy water. Warm, mild northward rip current as is oftentimes the case there. No big waves to fight through to get out tonight. Past the waves I swam a couple of hundred yards. I can't think of anything notable about this quick trip. There was a good chop outside so I wasn't able to navigate it. No stamina yet but the back was good in the water.
"The first time you quit is the last time you try."
Monday, August 3, 2015
Beach Swimming Oceanside CA South Side of Pier
I hit the south side of the Pier today for a swim. Today is a great day in Oceanside. 78 air temp at the beach. The lifeguard's tower board said the water temp was 66, but I'd put it at 68. Below 4 feet it was colder-maybe 64 degrees.
The swim area was very crowded. I don't like that. And for some reasons the Lifeguards are staking out large sections of sand with orange cones for vehicles--really ridiculous large areas. I don't know what's up with that, maybe a new boss.
There was one surfer in water with 2 to 4 foot waves and lousy shape. I swam out past the breakers but it took me a heck of a while to cover 150 yards. The water is very choppy today. I wanted to do a swim but I couldn't make much progress. I went south for a hundred yards or so and headed in. Chop, chop, chop.
Nevertheless, the water was clean, 5 foot visibility, warm, and enjoyable.
"The first time you quit is the last time you try."
The swim area was very crowded. I don't like that. And for some reasons the Lifeguards are staking out large sections of sand with orange cones for vehicles--really ridiculous large areas. I don't know what's up with that, maybe a new boss.
There was one surfer in water with 2 to 4 foot waves and lousy shape. I swam out past the breakers but it took me a heck of a while to cover 150 yards. The water is very choppy today. I wanted to do a swim but I couldn't make much progress. I went south for a hundred yards or so and headed in. Chop, chop, chop.
Nevertheless, the water was clean, 5 foot visibility, warm, and enjoyable.
"The first time you quit is the last time you try."
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