Swimming on Wednesday

Stevie Ray got rid of the boot! His foot healed and he’s well on the road to recovery. We carpooled anyway - carpool therapy puts everything in perspective. The carpool and the sauna create a sacred space - kind of like Las Vegas.  What happens in the carpool, stays in the carpool. If you want to know, join the carpool. Enough said.

We arrived at the club at the same time as Paul. We detoured to Starbucks, ensuring Stevie Ray could infuse himself with sufficient caffeine to pilot our ASSes (Alcatraz Swimming Society). Even though his foot pretty much healed, he planned to shepherd today's weekly Wednesday morning crossing. When we entered the day room, the sun hadn’t risen. The other ASSes had taken station in the comfy seats. They looked pretty tired. Sure, it was 6:00 a.m. There were a few other pods milling about. The Sunrisers had just left for the beach and the B Team, appearing more alert and cheerful, chatted with the sleepy ASSes. 

We left the dock around 6:50 a.m., just as the first lights shined on the bay. Today’s pod included  Dusty, Jenn, Joe, Kristine, Paul, Sarah, Susan and me. We made our way to the west side of the Rock, anticipating a dying flood. After much debate/heated discussion on where to jump - near the buoy, closer to Sunriser Beach, or further out into the channel - we went through our individual morning rituals prior to entering the water. Some took in a Gu, others released a few expletives, and I sat on the pontoon with my arms extended, appreciating the gift of cold water and mystery of unknown adventure about to begin. 

Expecting the flood to push us east, we planned to land at Pier 39. A few of us sighted on Sutro Tower while others targeted the Palace of Fine Arts. The ASSes swim at a mere mortal medium pace, so in theory, the pod moves in unison across the channel. Kristine pulls to her right, Joe pulls to his left, and I zig-zag hoping to benefit from Joe and Kristine being lane bumpers. I swam next to Jenn for the first part of the swim. For our last two crossings, Jenn nailed the landing while I had to crab to finish. Jenn claims she stays near Paul and it all works out. Paul must know something.

About halfway into the swim, Stevie Ray, looking quite like a pro in Big Red, our support boat, pulled up to us and told us to swim toward the Golden Gate - straight into the flood, effectively swimming in place. As we moved our arms and legs making no forward progress, the pod regroup and consolidated. Sarah captured and photographed our pure joy. At that moment, together as a team in the middle of the bay, exposed to the cold, chop, and blue sky, my world came into peace. It was the highlight of my day, and one of my most memorable swim moments.

We swam on, continuing our fight into the flood. Before we knew it, the flood turned into an ebb and we were only a few hundred yards from the Creekers. Stevie Ray zoomed up in Big Red, smiling ear to ear. He knew we would end up at the club's beach, effectively 'sticking the landing'. The flood turned into an ebb. WTF? Where was the slack? Don’t get me wrong, it’s great when we complete a crossing at the South End Beach. Dusty and I had podded tightly for the last part of the swim. As we entered the opening Sarah waited with her camera and captured yet another moment. We swam into the blinding sun towards the beach. 

Another adventure completed. It was a good day.  59 minutes in 57F water. 

*Photos by Sarah