Full Moon Swim, Friday August 27, 2010

RSVP here: I’m coming to the Full Moon Swim!

For those of you who made it to either of the Full Moon swims last year, you will recall what a great time we had. Well, it’s that time again. Those of you who have not, here is a quick overview/preview.
Technically the full moon is on the 24th, but hey, we’re close enough. The moon should be just clearing the horizon along the back wall (over the point) as we are swimming on our return leg.

As we have in the past, before our swim, we do a quick beach clean up, it’s a help to the park staff, who will have to work a little longer day for us.

For more background information refer to these previous posts: Full-moon-Deux 2009 and Full Moon Swim Recap

Here’s the tentative “schedule”
Friday August, 27
6:30 PM get together and Pizza Party at the beach!
7:15 PM start beach cleanup walk
7:30 PM set out light sticks at rockpile or point or both (TBD)
8:00 – 8:15 PM Full head count of all that are swimming, additional sign in
on the beach
8:30 PM Swim start
9:30 PM Last person out of the water and accounted for
10:00 PM Park gates locked, you’re spending the night if you ain’t
out by then.

How dark will it be?
Sunset: 7:45 PM
Civil Twilight ends (horizon still visible) : 8:14 PM
Nautical Twilight ends (getting dark): 8:46 PM
Astronomical twilight ends (okay it’s dark now for sure): 9:20 PM

Keep in mind we will have glow stick markers showing the point, rock pile and return to the beach as well as kayaks and everyone will have a glow bracelet. It should be a colorful event. When we start the swim, it will still be light enought to see the far wall, (the point and rockpile). On the return leg to the beach, the buildings have lights on them and are easy to spot. We’ll have kayaks in the water to track swimmers in the water. One kayak will set out the light sticks and follow the last folks in.

The night swims are really fun and different. The evening should be incredibly pleasant, the water warm, and glass smooth. The full moon swim has special meaning to Al and I, but that’s grist for another post….

Anyone not a member yet is welcome to sign up earlier in the evening, though please let me know if you are interested ahead of time at: sign_up@shadowcliffsorcas.com

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Membership Breaks 200!

Thanks to all of you for helping us set a record membership of over 200! Enjoy the water!

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A Happy New Year from the Coots

For those of you that couldn’t be there, or those that call it a season when the water dips below 67F, here’s a chance to be there.

These birds are my companions when I am stuck swimming in the lane lines. I never see them until the water drops down to about 63 F and once the water warms back up above that, they’re gone… They have a predominanatly black head and neck, a creamy white beak, and it’s hard to see in these shots, but intense dark red eyes (kinda spooky looking). Okay, so it’s just an 80 second nature film, but just the same. 😉

Enjoy,
John

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Just us and the Coots

Well it’s that time of year, if you are hardy enough, don’t mind the cold water, you can have Shadow Cliffs nearly all to yourself as long as you’re willing to share the water with the Coots.

After years of swimming late into the season, I can tell you these are one of the most reliable indicators of water temperature you can have. These duck like looking birds don’t even show up until the water temperature drops below 65 F, and once you see more than a few, the water is just about guaranteed to be 63 F or less. For some better photos, try here: Coots

Now for most, this is just way too cold, but if you can work your way to colder water temps, this is one of the most delightful times of year. You really seem to have the park and lake to yourself, the fall foliage is colorful, the sky a brilliant blue and the park has a serene air about it.

I’ll post more later on how to work your way to becoming a cold water swimmer.

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We’ve got several folks lined up for testing on Friday, the 5:45-6:15 PM slot. Tell your friends and buddies that aren’t already a member of our “Pod” to come on down. The weather has wonderful and the water is totaly comfy for a wetsuit-less swim.

If you think you would like to be tested, shoot me an e-mail here: sign_up@shadowcliffsorcas.com

If you are coming down for testing, please download the membership information and waiver form here (fill out page 4):
Membership application and release form

We’ve got an interesting event coming up at the end of the month, soe if you aren’t a member of the team now, it’s a good time to join!

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No Swim Days

Due to the Tri-for Fun Events the following are no swim days:
Saturday 6/20/09
Saturday 7/18/09
Saturday 8/15/09
Sunday 9/20/09

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