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.

Oceanside Harbor First, Then the Pier-Monday

So, I went to the Harbor and took some pictures. It was very rough but several surfers were trying to make it work. I drove over to the Pier and swam around from north to south, with the current. Rough chop, a good two feet. Cold water. I had to soak in a hot tub to warm up when I got home. I used up most of my energy in the water and was on all fours trying to stand up when I swallowed a gulp of ocean water that crashed in on me while I was inhaling. Darn! I could have done without the nausea from that.

Oceanside Pier 4-10-2011

I got into the water late afternoon today, and swam freestyle from north of the pier south. Very, very rough out there. A two-foot chop, I would say, is fair without exaggeration. However, I did swim in the correct direction today, that is, with the current. In fact, when I was finished and relaxing in the water before I got out, the current was carrying me south quite noticeably.

More jellyfish today, little ones, about 1 to 3 inches. The water was colder than yesterday. Let me check the temperature on another site...

Surfline says 59-61 degrees.

Here's a few pictures.