Boston ocean swim

July 4 wknd review & Aug. 18 Save the Date

/ Tom Baker / Leave a comment

Sunday’s swim was perfect for concluding the holiday weekend – we had perfect conditions all four days. As usual, we had many familiar faces, but we also had some new swimmers along with drop-ins from former regulars who now reside from as nearby as Pittsburgh and as far as Paris. The random photo as seen below never gets old and our model Ted looks good in the new Crusty Barnacle hoody that he wasn’t afraid to don in the hot sun. If you placed an order for one, contact Steve to make arrangements to pick it up and if you still would like one, given the demand a second order will be going in soon.

Random Shot July 7 2013 Hoodie Model

 

 

 

 

 

 
Looking ahead, it’s time to start planning the 3rd Annual Barnacle Bash Swim, which will be held Sun. Aug. 18th this year starting at 7:00 am. Mark your calendar, as we’re doing a few things different this year to make it a bit more entertaining. First there will be two options, swimming from Nantasket to Black Rock Beach going around Doctor Island (about 1.75 miles) or Nantasket to Sandy Beach (about 3 miles). We’ll have transportation back to Nantasket from both locations along with food and drinks to re-fuel after the swim. The 7am start time is to ensure we’re finished before parking or lifeguard restrictions go into effect.

Also, if anyone is interested in early morning weekday swims starting at around 5:30 am, there will likely be a group of people throughout the week greeting the sunrise. Email tom_k_baker@mac.com if you are interested so we can make arrangements.

Lastly, be on the lookout for some future changes of venue as we will occasionally be taking the sunday swims on the road.

In the meantime, enjoy the week…

 

 

 

 

 

 

4th of July Weekend Swims…

/ Tom Baker / 1 Comment

As a reminder, we’re planning to swim yet again this Sun. at the usual time, 8am, and place, beginning of Nantasket in Hull.

There have been requests to explore the Southern Coast of Hull. For those interested, we’re planning a swim to Gunrock Breach, which is 1/2 mile from where we enter the water. It’ll be low tide so we’ll have to swim a bit further than normal to get beyond the rocks. For anyone with a bit more ambition who hasn’t already worn themselves out from the long holiday weekend, the alternate swim on Sunday will be to the Beach beneath Green Hill (the cove just before Black Rock), which is 1 mile from where we enter the water or 2 miles roundtrip.

If we get enough people confirming the swim on Sun and if you let us know which beach you plan to swim to, we can make arrangements for food or coffee at one or both beaches to give you the extra boost needed for the return swim. Anyone with a paddle board or kayak that is interested in an early morning paddle, we always appreciate the company and the escort, not to mention an extra lookout for sleek pointy fins. Based on this morning’s swim, the water is crisp and clear, not too hot and almost not too cold.

Also, there will be swimmers heading out Sat. morning from the same location leaving anywhere from 7-8am to accommodate everyone’s early weekend schedule and obligations.

Lastly and based on popular demand, a complimentary crusty barnacle exclusive open water swim clinic will be held tomorrow, Friday, at 7:30 am at Sandy Beach in Cohasset for anybody that has the day off or who may not have the day off but is deciding to take the day off anyhow.

Take care and enjoy your 4th of July celebrations.

PS – if you ordered a CB hoodie, they’ve arrived. Contact Steve G about getting yours in time for the break of the heat spell. They came out really nice. If you would like one and didn’t order one, it’s not too late, just let us know.

 

Pectoraldate.com for all you shark lovers

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Courtesy of Wild Swimming New England (the greatest and most eloquently written swim blog in the Northeast), there is a potentially very useful website that tracks some of our largest friends of the sea, Ocearch Interactive Global Shark Tracker.

Here you can meet Mary Lee, Genie, and Lydia, who just joined in March after being tagged off the coast of Cape Cod, are just a few of the prospects you can find living in our area.

In all seriousness, I recommend you read today’s post on Wild Swimming about using common sense when out in the ocean and what we can expect from our pectoral finned friends this summer. Enjoy.

Memorial Day Weekend Swims & New CB Post-Swim Gear

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We’ll be swimming this weekend at the usual time and place, 8am at the entrance of Nantasket Beach on Sun. The ocean continues to warm up and should be pushing 60 degrees, which means it’s almost time to give up those wetsuits, booties and gloves if you haven’t already. Given the holiday on Monday, we’ll once again be meeting at the same time and place for the annual memorial day swim, which could involve a new course heading southeast toward Cohasset. Feel free to invite your friends who appreciate the open water or any fellow athletes looking to get ready for the upcoming triathlon season.  Coffee, donuts and 12-month fresh bagels will be on hand both days. And for those looking to get out on Saturday, it’s not uncommon for a few swimmers to informally get together at 7:00 am also at the same location to get in a quick swim before the weekend starts.

As far as CB gear goes, we have several complimentary swim caps and 2012 bumper stickers still available on a first come first serve basis which were left over from last season. And through the inspiration and effort of Dr. Golden and Kimberly, the first and limited edition Crusty Barnacle hoodies are now available for order (see the mockup below). The pricing hasn’t been finalized, but they will likely be around $60. If you are interested, please let Steve Golden know how many and what size you’d like by emailing him at sgolden@healthcaresouth.com. I can’t think of a better way to warm up immediately following a dip in the brisk waters off of Hull.

See you this weekend.

SweatShirtfront_w_CB_logo Sweatshirt_back_w_CB_logo

Fall Swimming is Here!

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I apologize for having been derelict in my duty to keep the site updated this past month, as the fun of fatherhood has been a fun (but sleepless) distraction.

Fortunately, the turnouts have been great and importantly, Sept. is upon us, which means the water temps drop, the air gets crisper and, pending conditions, visibility gets clearer.

The Sunday swims are still on so if there isn’t an email, don’t worry, we’ll still be there. Keep in mind that tomorrow there is a high surf advisory, so all swim at their own risk.

Good luck to all the swimmers tomorrow today in Provincetown. We want to know how you fared and more importantly, see the photos to prove it.

Another swim that is coming up is the Boston Sharkfest. It’s name is more intimidating than the race itself, which is a one mile course from East Boston to Fan Pier. It sounds like a great event as you’ll have a wonderful view of the skyline (assuming you breath to your right). Here’s a link for info and registration – http://www.sharkfestswim.com/default.asp?PageID=21262.

Last year someone, I believe Missy, made the suggestion of a swim at Horseneck Beach. Although we never had a chance to go down there, we should make a point to take the Crusty Barnacles on the road to the South Coast this year. Start looking at your calendars for when you might be able to do a swim there this year.

And finally, here are some photos from the labor day weekend. Enjoy…

 

Weekend Review; Weekend Preview

/ Tom Baker / 1 Comment

Another wonderful weekend of swimming with swimmers coming out Sat and Sun.

We still haven’t heard how the triathletes did this weekend. Share the good news if you got it. Meg and her friends Jane and Greg completed a 2.4 mile ocean swim from Peaks Island to Portland ME – this will make for a run road trip next year (see their photo below of the impressive feat).

Kimberlee was awarded  Dolphin Dave for swimming strongly sans wetsuit after a multi-week sabbatical and rumor has it, and there is photographic proof below to substantiate it, that Vic is now a grandpa.

Otherwise, we’re on again this weekend at the usual times, 7:30 am Sat and 8:00 am Sun from Nantasket.

Lastly, the order for the famous CB Swim Caps went in officially today and should be arriving in a couple of weeks.

Open water race in Boston Harbor – Aug 19

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I just learned that the Save the Harbor/Save the Bay organization is hosting its 1st Annual Swim for Boston Harbor Sunday Aug. 19. It’s a 1-mile competitive (more importantly fun) swim, with wet suit and non-wet suit divisions. It’ll start from the L Street bath house, South Boston. Here’s the website with all the details – www.swim4bostonharbor.org.

It’s a great organization especially for those of us who appreciate the relatively clean and getting cleaner waters in our area. Some of our brave members supported their April Save the Harbor / Save the Bay Cupid Splash. I recall, based on the attire that day, that the conditions were borderline tropical, like most April weekends in Boston. Here’s a photo to help prove it and to bring back those memories.

Like the Cupid event in April, the race in Aug has post-event activities sponsored by Harpoon Brewery with prizes from Jet Blue, my favorite being the best costume/swimsuit (Jane L, that means you).

July 21-22 Open Water Swims @ Nantasket Beach

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Welcome to all the new swimmers who joined the swims this weekend. Congratulations to all those who participated in the Swim Across America one mile charity swim at Nantasket on Sat and for all the awareness for and contributions to such a great cause supporting cancer research and prevention.

Also, kudos to Chris D for bracing the frigid waters on Sat. in York Maine for the Nubble Light Challenge, a 2.4 mile swim to support the Maine Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. We have confirmed from two very reliable sources he completed it sans wetsuit.

Swimming times/locales are the same for this weekend and as mentioned previously, are merely guidelines as we know how busy everyone’s schedules are. To remind everyone, Sat, we meet and try to quickly get into the water around 7:30 ad Sun meet around 7:45 and get in the water around 8:00 am. Sunday’s have been known to have fresh fruit, pastries, bagels, animal crackers and coffee available following the swim. We will try a swim either Sat. or Sun to Gunrock Beach to change things up a bit depending on conditions.

The water temps right now are reportedly 72 degrees, which is unusually warm this time of year and if they hold, make it easier to head out swimming without a wetsuit. However, we strongly encourage you swim in whatever makes you most comfortable and we are in no way sole adherents to the bare skin doctrine adopted by other admirable but masochistic open water swim groups.

To maintain our fearless leader/swim recruiter Vic’s tradition, here’s the “random” photo from last weekend taken by none other than a friendly officer that checks in on us from time to time to ensure we’re safe.

 

 

 

 

 

Quote of the day:

“Did you know that dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish?” Anonymous (or I’m too lazy to research who said this – anyone know?).

Upcoming Swims/Save the Date: Aug 12, 2012

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Upcoming Swims:

Weekend swims for July 14th and 15th remain the same – meet around 7:30 AM on Sat. morning and around 7:45/8:00 am Sun. Both days we start from the Southeast end of Nantasket Beach (take your first right into the beach parking lot where you’ll see Beach Fire restaurant). I promise fins casting long 10 foot shadows will remain south of Cape Cod.

Another option for this Sat (July 14) is the Swim Across America one mile swim in Hull starting from the Mary Jeanette Murray bathhouse. It starts at 9:00 am with a post-swim celebration at the Red Parrot. To register or to support a swimmer click here. The Crusty Barnacles has it’s own team this year and it’s looking for more members.

Save the Date

August 12, 2012 is the 2nd Annual Barnacle (Mass) Bay Bash at 7:00 am. This is an approximately three mile fun swim where we plan to have kayaks and paddle boards escorting us from our usual meeting place in Nantasket to Black Rock Beach in Cohasset. We had to change venues from last year’s swim from Black Rock to Sandy Beach and back due to limited parking at BR Beach and very vigilant lifeguards at Sandy (we would pose a liability to the town if we swim in during life-guarding hours).

This is purely a fun swim only and is NOT a race. There are two coves along the way swimmers can stop and either rest at or turnaround from. The early 7:00 am start and day were selected for the 8:00 am high tide on Aug 12, allowing everyone to swim with safe clearance over breakwater rocks on the way there and back that will significantly shorten the swim distance.

Limited edition 2nd Annual Mass Bay Bash shirts will be made available for a nominal price, so RSVP as soon as possible. More details to follow…

Swim Caps

The first run of bright orange, can’t miss you swimming from a mile away, Crusty Barnacle Swim Caps has been depleted and we have had requests for more caps. We’ll be placing a new order shortly, but to help get the most accurate number of caps, email us at swim@crustybarnacles.com if you think you would like another, don’t have one and would be interested in keeping your noggin warm, or you know someone else who just likes to wear bright orange with blue accent caps out and about.

Quote of the Day

“When life gets you down, do you wanna know what you’ve gotta do? Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming”, as spoken by the modern day philosopher extraordinaire/blue fish named Dory from Finding Nemo. I admit I stole this one or perhaps received inspiration for it from the book “Swim” by Lynn Sherr, which I had promised to review but have not yet finished on account of travels with an infant which is a comedy of errors the precludes one from staying focused on any one task greater than 15 seconds. Stay tuned or just go out and get the book (it’s available on those Nooks, Kindle and Ipads if it’s easier, as The Old Colony Library Network was an extended wait-list). But seriously, does swimming not make your day all the better compared to those days you don’t swim?

Lots of Happenings: New Summer Hours…

/ Tom Baker / Leave a comment

Unseasonably warm waters made it a perfect weekend for swimming for the Crusty Barnacles on both Sat and Sun.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Cohasset Tri and/or Mile Swim Off. See the photos below (if you have more that you want posted, send them along or if possible upload to the comments section).  Sufficed to say we had a good turnout and even a first place finish in the swim for Andy Strehle.

Too early to predict next weekend, but we are now enacting our new summer hours – this means meeting around 7:30 AM at Nantasket on Sat. morning and around 7:45/8:00 am Sun. Of course, these are merely guidelines and we encourage everyone to show when it’s convenient as there are sure to be swimmers coming or going. Just arrive before 8am, as that’s when the parking lots begin charging. But no worries if you arrive before 8am and leave your car. They will not charge for parking once you’re inside the gate.

Summer Reading: NPR had an interesting interview today with an author of a new book titled Swim: Why We Love the Water. I can’t speak intelligently about the book, but the interview is worth reading or listening to. here’s the link – http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2012/06/25/swim-lynn-sherr. I’ll post a review if someone else doesn’t beat me to it. For anyone who does swim, I suspect it’ll be something we can all relate to in some way.

Enjoy the week…

Quote for the day: “I’d far rather be happy than right any day.” Douglas Adams

And now some of the photos (reminder: send more if ya got ’em)

Disclaimer: The image with a likeness to Senator Brown may or may not be him and if it were him, which we’re not saying it is, doesn’t swim with us, but he would have an open invitation. That said, this website takes no political position nor does it affiliate itself with any political party, other than as a generalization based on no scientific fact we would venture to say the political leanings of the collective organization are fanatically moderate.