Heat Wave is Over: Ocean Swim 4/10/2022
Woke up to solid cloud coverage over Dana Point which lasted throughout the morning and into the afternoon. While the heat of the past few days is over, I really can’t complain about a balmy 59 degrees at 5AM. It’s Sunday and I want to get a run and my swim in before 10:00.
After my morning meditation period and walking my dog Ocean, I head out the door at 6:30. I’m listening to Richard Rohr’s book Falling Upwards for the second time on my way to the beach. I start with a 5.5 mile run from the Strand parking lot up Pacific Coast Highway to Niguel Rd. Then I catch the bike trail at Del Avion which takes me into Salt Creek beach.
Looks like there is a WSA surf competition underway and the conditions don’t provide much to work with. There is a South East wind blowing and the ocean surface is textured+. Passing by the lifeguard tower on the point, the water temp reads 60–61. I run back up to the Strands parking lot and out to the end of Dana Strand Rd. and back. I can see a pod of dolphins swimming close to shore from the parking lot. Always a welcome sighting. I wonder if I’ll see them in the water (spoiler: I do not).
After my run I change into my trunks and head down to the water. I decide to leave the backpack in the car and take off with just goggles and trunks. Its just a touch cool but I feel warm after the run. There are a few guys fishing at the shore. I ask them if they have caught anything and they emphatically claim that they have caught absolutely nothing but seem to be having a good time.
The water feels about the same to my feet as it has lately but the cool air and my increased body temperature makes the water feel refreshing. I sometimes find the water more inviting on a cooler, cloudy day than a warm sunny day. I think the water feels colder with the warmth of the sun on your skin. Still - keep those warm sunny days coming!
I start the swim and it is a washing machine out there. I’m fighting current and wind to make my way forward. Although I absolutely love and in fact prefer the tranquility of a glassy smooth ocean surface, there is something to be said for windy days like these. The ocean feels alive (probably because it is). You are bouncing over wakes, water is breaking into your face, you are constantly pushed and also held back. There is a voice inside you that says, “push harder or you will never get there!” Then a smarter and more still voice says just relax and simply keep moving and you will find your way through the route in about the same amount of time that you usually do (an hour).
The water still feels good today. Like yesterday I would not call it warm but it is comfortable. On colder days these kinds of conditions can make the water more palatable. My body is working harder and maybe generating more heat and the rough and tumble takes my mind off the cold.
I finish the swim, walk quickly up the stairs and give myself a good rinse off at the shower head before changing into street clothes. It’s 9:30 and I have 30 minutes to get to my spiritual community gathering that is just 5 minutes away behind the Harbor House Cafe. I have enough time to grab a latte at J.C. Beans.
On Sundays like today when I swim before (and not after) my 10:00 gathering, I’m often shivering for at least the first half hour while my core temperature recovers. I was really hoping today might be the day where the water has warmed enough that I can sit sans shivers. Nope. I should have packed jeans instead of shorts, but man this latte tastes and feels good. That J.C. knows what she (or he?) is doing!
