Thank You Sea Lions!

Our Beloved Golden Gate - View from Anita Rock

 Celebrating the Festival of Lights in the Sauna!

We went rogue today. Our planned swim from Anita Rock back to the club turned into a Coughlan - Anita Rock - Coughlan Sunriser/nutcracker. For those who chose another option, just know you were missed while we enjoyed a rare and spectacular Bay Swim. We'll not likely have this much fun again, ever! Eleven swimmers boarded 3 Ribs. Notable pod participants include Vanessa, David R, David S, Sarah R, Kristine and me. Vanessa and David S swam, while the rest of us piloted. The considerable flood let the nutcraker live up to its name. Everyone completed the swim in the allotted time.

A recurring question goes back to seal/sea lion activity. Yes - they joined us along the swim - in numbers typical of every other Bay swim. We swim in their home as their guests. Some folks swam in the cove this morning - no judgment will be offered on their choice. They need to be at peace with themselves.

Upon returning to the club, we 'erged' (a technical term). With our ergs on the deck, we all put in a few K meters, taking in the spectacular Bay view from the deck. Reid was preparing for his erg challenge as we headed out to breakfast.

In the spirit of trying something new, Sarah G suggested breakfast at the Pub in Ghirardelli  Square. It's always good to try something at least once. We should continue our adventure quests in search of a better breakfast.

To keep on schedule for the day, we advanced to China Beach to find the ever cheerful Joe hanging with the Noon pod. Sarah, Joe and I took a quick swim in the chilling 52F waters - my first time in the 'Big Water'.

When we arrived at the beach, we noticed a group of young ladies sitting in a circle, all wearing flower crowns. They seemed to laugh, enjoying themselves while engaged in a ritualistic ceremony - kind of like the Fast Kids on the Friday morning beach, and similar to the Fast Kids, they seemed not to notice or acknowledge our presence. Undeterred, we swam anyway.

And this is where things went a little beyond expected. As Sarah and I were getting out of the water, the ladies nearby suddenly stood and began taking off their clothes - undergarments mostly excepted - then ran into the water. They only stayed in for a minute or so while they experienced the pure joy of cold, open water swimming.

Ever in search of truth and solving a mystery, I approached the partially clothed flower wearing group. "Why, why would you possibly want to go in the cold and shark-infested waters," I asked them. They answered in unison. What they said, I didn't hear other than one of their lot was getting married and they were practicing a traditional bride cleansing ritual. I offered my congratulations and wished them well. 

To think errant seals/sea lions made all this possible.