Ocean Swimming and Boston

Annual Barnacle Splash Sun. Aug 18

/ Tom Baker / Leave a comment

This Sunday will mark the 3rd Annual Barnacle Splash Swim starting at 7:00 AM. This year we’ll be swimming from the usual starting spot at the entrance to Nantasket heading south east along the rocky coast, out and around Doctor Island, and into Black Rock Beach in Cohasset. This is 1.5 miles. If you’re winded, in need of food, or suffering from caffeine withdraw, we’ll have a car bringing people back. If however you want to continue, you can turn around and swim back, which makes the route a nice 3 miles. The tide is perfect for the swim and conditions as of now appear to be ideal.

This will be a supported swim with kayakers or paddlers along the route guiding the way and keeping an eye out for the south shore’s own indigenous venomous jumping lobsters that are starting to cause havoc on the traps. One was spotter swimming with goggles and a speedo taunting beach-goers just last weekend. Go figure?

Importantly, breakfast will be ordered. If you plan to swim, send an email to swim@crustybarnacles.com and let us know if your bfast preference is eggs, pancakes or french toast. Our friends at Toast (the restaurant) have offered to deliver. Also, Barnacle Splash Swim Caps, made up for just this occasion, have arrived. They’ll be available on Sun. for a nominal fee.

For those interested in swimming during the week, people are swimming from the usual start location at around 5:30 as the sun is rising later. Also, there have been requests for afternoon swims. If you are interested, email me at the CB address as I’m happy to put you in touch with others looking to swim. It’s always more fun in a group.

Enjoy the photos from our swim last weekend and see everyone this weekend. By the way, we’ll still be swimming Sat., with groups starting as early as 6:30 am. Random Shot Aug 11 2013 Group Photo 08.11.13

Weekend swims for July 27&28

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If the rain this week has kept you confined to the indoors all week, there is no better release than a swim in the ocean. The weather is expected to clear and the water remains relatively warm for this time of year.

On Sunday July 28th, we’re going to try something a little different – we’ll be starting at the same time, 8am, but further North along Nantasket by the bath house which is about one mile from our usual starting spot. From there we can swim toward Point Allerton. The bath house has showers so this could come in handy. To get there you make a right turn just after the Nantasket Beach Resort and drive along the section that has the parallel parking spaces. Go toward the end and you’ll see the brick bath house and swimmers in speedos.

For Sat., we will meet at the usual place with swimmers showing up as early as 6:30am.

Weekday Swims @ Nantasket

/ Tom Baker / 1 Comment

There seems to be quite the interest in the morning weekday swims based on recent turnout.

From now until the it starts getting light later, you’ll most likely be assured of seeing other swimmers out and about in the ocean starting at 5:15 am all days of the week. However, Wed. and Fri. be designated as the days to make a concerted effort to get out there. Note that weekday swims are mostly but not entirely all business with no photos so that we can all get our days started.

If you haven’t tried an early morning weekday ocean swim, I can personally guarantee you there is no better way to begin the morning. Being in the water as the sun is rising over the horizon is pretty special and is something to really take advantage of during the summer.

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

/ Tom Baker / Leave a comment

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

/ Tom Baker / Leave a comment

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!

/ Tom Baker / Leave a comment

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…

 

Open water race in Boston Harbor – Aug 19

/ Tom Baker / Leave a comment

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?).