Life is short. Swim at Sunrise.
Sunrise at Nantakset Beach, June 12, 2018
What never gets old?
South Shore and Ocean Swim
Memorial Day 2016 Weekend Swims
Regular swims this weekend will begin at 8:00 am to avoid the holiday weekend crowds – may need to arrive a little bit earlier to sneak threw the parking although there are new parking meters this year. If anyone is interested in an early bird swim, feel free to arrive at around 6:00 am each day starting Saturday for what will likely be a smaller crowd. The water temps are close to 60 so we’re getting a bit of a warm current just in time. The jackets and caps from the first swims of the year as shown in the spirited photos below can hopefully remain at home until October. Enjoy the weekend and see you out there.
Early Start to Season
Crusty Barnacles are getting off to an early start to the season this Sunday, April 24 – the meet time is 8-8:30 at the same usual location at the entrance to Nantasket Beach (1st parking lot entrance on right off 228). It may only be a dip, but for those more ambitious swim folk, bring your thick skin, cold blood, or wetsuit depending on your tolerance for what could potentially be less than tropical water temps. Oh, and don’t forget goggles, towel, coffee and conversant humor – seriously.
Memorial Day Swims and Beyond
Memorial day weekend swims are upon us. Sunday we’ll be meeting at the same time and place and Monday we’ll meet at 7:30, to avoid the crows and to make sure we have enough time to get off to our other Memorial Day festivities. Monday is supposed to be a beautiful, warm and clear day. I know it’s hard to believe but the waters really are warming up and getting quite comfortable.
Importantly, save the date for the James Doty One Mile Memorial Swim on Sat. June 14 from the L Street Bath House.
As many of you know, Jim is an iconic swim figure for the Boston area who was instrumental in restarting the Boston Light Swim and in forming the New England Marathon Swimming Association (NEMSA).
Preregister online for only $10! The first 30 registrants are guaranteed an event shirt. Signup here: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=28089. For more information: http://bostonlightswim.org/james-doty-memorial-mile-swim/
Sun. May 18 is Get Back in the Cold Ocean for a Brisk Open Water Swim Day
The ocean temp is nearing 50 degrees, which means it is time to get back in the water, or time to congratulate those of you who never got out (Helen, Ted, and others).
While I’m sure there will be swimmers out at Nantasket starting this Sunday at 8am (all are welcome), the regular swims are returning Sunday, May 18, at 8:00 from the same place in Nantasket Beach. If you need directions or have questions, feel free to email me. It’s been an exceedingly long and cold winter so it’ll feel good to get out of the pool and back to the expansive Mass. Bay.
More details will be forthcoming on the memorial day swim…
Enjoy the weekend.
2013 Barnacle Splash
As expected, cold yet clear and calm waters for the Barnacle Splash. A tremendous thanks goes out to the kayakers, shuttle drivers, and Hull’s famous restaurant Toast, which served up hot and tasty post-swim breakfast. For your enjoyment, here are some of the photos of the pre- and post-swim entertainment. If you have photos you’d like to share, send them along and I’ll add to the post. And if you missed the swim this past weekend, there are still plenty of remaining swims between now and Thanksgiving each Sunday (and most Saturdays for that matter).
Vic’s infamous random shot
The whole group
Trust me this time, I know what I’m talking about
Stretch them muscles
The shark’s mouth was this large
Why are we doing this again?
I swear to Crusty, I did not inhale
Swim route at dawn – what lurks below?
That was fun, what is next?
The swim was tiring, I’m just going to walk the rest of the way.
If I have to go back into those cold waters one more time…
I deserve a shoulder massage after this swim
Let’s do that again!
That was noth’n.
I will not blink first
Larry, Moe and Curly of swimming?
My job here is done
I’m not feeling so well
Grandpa stealing a moment with grandson
What every self-respecting annual swim needs, bright red shoes with checkered flag laces. But do you know who this famous person is?
Weekend swims for July 27&28
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
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
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.
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…
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.
Crusty Barnacles 