No Ducks, No Sunbeams Crashing This Party

Feb 19, 2022 | temp 40 F ish | Time in water: 24:40

Today at the lake, there were crazy wild white-capped waves. They didn’t look too bad on the shore, but once I was in the water I could see how impressive they were. Wow. 

I took a few photos and a quick video of the water, toss my stuff in my buoy, and basically charged right in. Got myself to the metal post without falling over, tied my cane to it, and then tried to jump, hop, walk into deeper water. I was not going to be able to swim to the north to acclimate, then turn around and swim south today. 

The Swim/Bob

I wasn’t sure what I was going to be able to do at all, so I just tried to get a little ways toward the north, get into deeper water, and try to swim a bit. The waves were too strong. I couldn’t really swim. I would try to breast stroke a few strokes, but I was getting tossed all over the place. The water was so turbulent that there was all sorts of debris in the water, which just made me thick if parasites and germs. So I decided to modify and try to swim with my head out of the water so I could at least see the biggest waves coming. I tried side stroke, but it didn’t seem especially bright to have my back to the waves. I flipped around and tried to do side stroke facing the waves. That was not so pleasant. 

I don’t know how I did it, but I managed to get into deep water and a nice distance from the cement dock. I alternated between trying to do a few strokes and treading water. I kept my arms perpendicular to my body and moved my arms back and forth at my sides (forward and back, I guess) while imagining my toes pointing to the lake floor and trying my best flutter kick. For one second I thought, “pull in your gut, protect your back.” Maybe less than a second. 

A few people were at the park, and I hoped that they would check me out but not worry. I had my yellow buoy and cap, so I was visible. I was also having a blast. The waves are so much bigger when I’m in them. Some curl and bubble at the top, some just move across the water like a big mountain. I floated in the valley and try to bob with the waves and lull with the valley. 

As usual, I had no idea what I was doing, but I was not about to give up. Twice I made it to the cement dock, then turned around and dog paddled (J!) out into the fray. The waves were so high they were touching the bottom of the dock. It was fascinating to watch. I didn’t know what was causing the waves because I’m dumb. It’s a lake, not the ocean, so what makes the water so choppy? It didn’t feel windy out but that must be it. Maybe it was windy out. How can I not know any of this? 

Risk and Preparation

In the distance I could see a kite twirling, diving, and rising in the air. I was a bit mesmerized with it, wondering how someone could be flying a kite like that from shore. DUH. Then I realized that some crazy person was out there kite surfing. Then I realized that I was also a crazy person for bobbing around and riding waves and trying to stay out in the water for my 20 minutes. 

Except, it’s not crazy or foolish to have fun. There are risks, but I’m assuming the kite surfer, like me, has been doing this for awhile and has practiced in these very conditions. When I swim in big wave water I change my approach. Swimming doesn’t work, and I need to keep my head above water so I can see what’s happening. I try out strokes and strategies so I can know what my options are if I need to move through the water or get to the shallower water. 

Most of all, I go with the flow. Literally. It’s one of the few times in my life (and a wonderful experience/lesson to learn). The waves are bigger and stronger; they’re doing what they’re doing. I just tried to fling myself in and be part of it without getting hurt. 

I’m not in great shape, but I’m a decent swimmer, I had a buoy attached to my body, and I stayed fairly close to the cement dock (or I put myself in a position farther from the dock where I could ride the waves in if I need to). I would have killed to have had a GoPro today because then I could show people what it’s like to float in the valley and tread water and be part of the lake’s movement and energy. Exhilarating. (Today’s waves were not even close to some of the crazy waves I’ve jumped into.)

Also exhausting. I was paying close attention to how hard I was breathing, and even though I wanted to stay out for my 20 minutes I knew that the minute I felt dizzy or weird or anything was just too hard I would get out immediately. The water felt amazing. Some always gets inside my suit, and it’s chilly for a second. I didn’t feel colder because of the waves, and after the swim I checked my thermometer. The temp was what is was the other day, just above 40F. 

I don’t think what I did today was dangerous because I was respecting the water and adapting my approach and expectations. I have no interest in drowning. The water was intense, but I didn’t feel out of control or scared.  It was a lake. Not the ocean. I’d never get in the ocean with waves like that. (I sustained a bad neck and head injury many, many years ago trying to body surf in the ocean and being thrown to the ocean floor by a wave…..not doing that again.) I don’t swim in the sound across town because it’s another level of experience and awareness. It’s also a long drive from where I live. I’m happy with my lake, and someday, if I have time I might explore the sound and try swimming there with a group. For now, I’m too in love with my lake. I can be a sea witch and swim in a lake. I can be whatever I want. 

The People

Just as I was getting my gear out of the trunk today, a lady walked by with two adorbs dogs. She yelled something to me, but I couldn’t hear her under my two neoprene hoods. I made teh hand sign for “I didn’t hear that,” holding my hand up to my ear. She got close and said something like, “you’re crazy.” Then immediately said, “I’m an open-water swimmer, too, let me give you my phone number.” Wha????? I couldn’t believe my luck and told her that nobody every does this with me and as a midwesterner from a small town it’s all I ever want to do: meet nice people at the park, talk to them, then exchange numbers so we can do it again. Her name is H.

Oh, also, my thing is: before I go for a swim I text my friend to let her know where I’m going and how long it should take. Then I text her when I’m out of the water. I might text again when I get home. I also called H and left a message on her voicemail that I had made it out of the lake alive and was happy to have met her. I hope she calls me soon for a swim!! She had the best answering machine message. I won’t share it here until I ask her permission, but let’s just say it was positive and happy, and I feel lucky to have met a nice person. 

The Gear

Today I am testing some insulated booties from Outdoor Research. I will post the review on my other site in a few days. So I am happily bundling in my sleeping bag, a warm flannel shirt, my fav fleece KÜHL hat, and these booties. My feet are warm and happy. 

That is absolutely all I can write today. I am cray tired. I have more I wanted to get into today. Like how I just threw all the towels I used today into the wash after one use! So extravagant! I’m not that clean, and I’m crazy frugal about using water and buying laundry soap. So, wow, that was a surprising release. It’s ok to just not deal with it. Throw it all in the wash even if I could use both of those towels a few more times. 

Ok. Bye for now. Hugs. 

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