And You Thought Santa Monica was Choppy! (7/7/01)

Well at least it was sunny and the water was relatively (SCAQ Shivering Scale roughly 4.2 I'd say) warm at the Newport Pier to Pier Two Mile this past Saturday. But it was definitely oceanswimming. You were either inhaling salt water, getting smashed by the waves, or getting smacked by Kathy Mann in the head (but she did apologize). Even some of the more macho swimmers like Parks admitted to battling a queasy stomach by the end. However, all in all, a fun morning swim, and some great swims by fellow SCAQers. And I even managed to catch a shower with handsome man Eric E. after the swim but that's another story, and another type of webpage.

Many more swimmers entered the race this year we all agreed, including many young fast types. Randy (from the rivals to the North) and Alex were 3rd and 5th overall, indicating just how tough the competition was. Tracy swam awesome as usual (another yawn), capturing 16th overall. Eric was next at 17th and third in his competitive agegroup. Parks soundly beat Bill (to be honest, Bill didn't actually swim the race as he was resting for the wimpy Santa Barbara Six Mile. However, as a result he recorded a finish time of infinity and thus from a mathematical perspective it was a race in the win column for Parks. Go Parks! Of course, on the other hand, I don't think Parks is doing the six mile, so perhaps it's all even. Stay tuned for more trash-talking and macho-posturing from these two handsome men throughout the summer!). The next SCAQer in from the deep was Kim Davis at 30th and first in her agegroup. Richard E. was a strong 42nd (third in his agegroup) and then speedily ran off to make his way to the Vineman triathlon, where John J. is also competing this Sunday. Pat also nailed third, running up the beach in 47th, closely followed by Adriene Miller at 48th and second in her agegroup just behind Kim. Jenny continued her domination of the beautiful women's category, placing first in her agegroup and 50th overall. Wow. Steve Johnson also did well with a strong second-place finish in his agegroup, and was congratulated by Reiko who encouraged all us bedraggled swimmers as we struggled on up the sand. Ann Finley from the South placed second in my agegroup, after also swimming well in Santa Monica, and Kathy M. placed as usual in the beautiful women's division. Other SCAQers who participated were Adan, Bill Casael, Ira Dupere, and Max Prixione. I am absolutely sure I have spelled some or all of those names incorrectly. As usual, for the official correct results, go to the bottom of the SCAQ webpage. As usual, I am writing this report before the official results are posted, thus absolving me of getting anything correct. And lastly as usual, please come up and introduce yourself at an oceanswim to get your results reported. A small bribe will help. I'm the tall blonde who tries, with limited success, to finish at about the median.

Today promises both the Wildwoman oceanrace in Hermosa as well as the Santa Barbara Six Mile. Next weekend's Zuma and Seal Beach. Hope to see you at one of the swims if not before oceanswimming buddies!