Like many water residents on New Years, I was invited to take a water plunge to kick-off 2016. But unlike your routine plunge, or quick dip in the local lake or beach, the members of Santa Cruz's local Masters had slightly different plans.
I was their guest this fine morning and the air temperature was a pleasant 63 degrees. Of roughly 15-20 swimmers the average age was around 52, the oldest swimmer was 67 and the two top swimmers were 30 something women---both with full Monterey Bay route experience and one with an English Channel tour beneath her cap. What I was to realize was that this New Years Day Plunge...it was an acclamation swim for their annual "Will Swim For Food" to take place two weeks later. Meaning this was one of many. SEE ( http://www.classy.org/cordoni )
The water temperature was estimated at 52 degrees F. Not something I considered crippling but definitely a good start for a novice to the world of open water swimming.
I was accompanied by my with and daughter, as well as plenty of blankets and hot-wet towels stored in a small cooler.
The rest of the swim group began disrobing---my cue to get chilly. Once I pulled off my sweats and let the brisk coastal air hit my speedo the shrivel factor was colder than flattering. I was beginning to have second thoughts...my wife winced sympathetically and my three year old daughter began to take off her clothes in a moronic effort not to be left out.
My mentor Dale and his wife Jan...both in their fifties we all giddy. I was not sharing their enthusiasm but played along in my cold ness.
Dale tossed me an orange coloured swim cap to go over my insulated cap, "You'll be seen easier with this on"
I slid it on.
Dale gave me a quick coaching "We put you with Steve...he's slower but consistant. Just remember the big three and you should be fine---"
The big three to cold open water swimming for the novice class--
1. Keep your head above water for a couple hundred meters --- reason: there's some strange nerve in your forehead has a mainline to your reptile brain that makes you fall down the ladder into fight or flight and refuses you ability to control your breathing---segway here
2. Exhale---deliberately---frequently---your reflex to gasp will be unmanageable. You must battle hyperventilation or you'll passout and drown---especially when you submerse your head for the long stroke---segway here
3. Slow down your swim---your fight or flight response will kick in, inspiring you to try to out swim the cold---you'll burn out---cramp-up---stall and drown.
...and that was it. His barrel chest frame beelined to the water. Steve came up beside me as I "dead man walked" towards the foaming soup before me. Note: it was beautiful and sunny. A consistent cold breeze. A perfect winter coastline in California. Shattered by the fear of the cold shorten mile ahead.
Steve could see me pale, "Once you get to a certain point---just swim---" We were now walking in the water up to our knees.Tiny needles and heat followed by a low ache and a flush of fear. I gasped a bit over the waves "Is it normal for the my shins to ache"
Steve looked at me with a crazy smily "Oh yeah man...isn't it crazy---by the way---I'm gonna leave you in a second---I have to jump in a go---"
Almost immediately he dove in at a lazy angle---when his head came up he yelled almost like a cowboy "Yaaahhhh"
I was to shriveled shut to piss my self in terror...I took five more steps and leaned in---
H---H--OL---Eee FUCK-FUCK_FUCK
SWIM---SWIM
Head---up
can't breath--EXhaLe--again--blow--OUT
My torso began to fell hot as shit---I felt dissy.
I was about 300 meters adjacent the pier---I kept swimming. At one point I felt dizzy---twice--
I exhaled so hard I could hear my grunts and nothing else. I imagined a great white eating me in one bite---and welcomed it.
At some point I could see a few other about 100 meters ahead---the group was huddling---out of somewhere Dale swam to me---his face frozen white but smiling. He spoke through numb lips. How are you?
I lied "Good---jeeezesss"
He urged me on, "It's cold!!! Lets go---almost there."
Eventually we reached the end of the pier where a group of 6 plus huddle for a group pic---I floated in back---grateful to be breathing and we headed back to more of the same
Cold--exhale--pace
I reached the shore---total time was around 25 minutes. About .8 miles.
It too an hour to stop shivering
I ate everything in the house and slept like an infant---meaning I sucked my thumb and pissed myself (just kidding---about he thumb part)
Bad news: Next time around the pier---about 1.20 miles. 16 January 2016
Good news: The proceeds go to food banks in my area...specifically where a lot of my Veteran brothers and sisters get their meals so if you would like to support (no obligation): Google "Santa Cruz Will Swim For Food" http://www.classy.org/cordoni (swimmer:Shannon Kleinschmit)
half headed me huddle in back...yay!!!
Crazy cold with the BEST welcoming party EVER!!! She's already ready to get in...
...fin
