Swim Report – August 31, 2008 – Ladders edition

Okay. Perhaps things got a little out of hand this morning. But it’s the last big summer weekend, so we should all expect things to be a bit more rambunctious…

Since I’m officially no longer in training for anything, I was planning to do a very unstructured swim this morning – kind of like a post-triathlon “victory lap.” Also, I was hoping to perhaps borrow an inner tube from the Ochoas or maybe do another leap or two off of their mini trampoline.

So I show up at good old OL#1 only to discover everyone jumping off of a huge freaking ladder. Now I’m a fairly brave fellow, and I even had a stint as a sport skydiver in the 1990’s. But this stuff was harrowing to watch. In fact, some of us actually turned our backs a couple of times rather than watch the Ochoa brothers as they repeatedly sprang off of the top step of the ladder.

So I did my swim, and I came back to check out the festivities from a safe distance. However, I must confess that my curiosity got the better of me, and I did give in to peer pressure and take the “leap of faith.” All I can say is, I have to hand it to the Ochoas – they are absolutely fearless! I could barely do this one time without having a heart attack.

Apparently, though, we must have also given some high rise resident a serious case of tachycardia as well. We were soon visited by the Chicago police who proceeded to shut down the whole show. Diver Dave must have worked some heavy charm on the officer, because he eventually softened his stance and became quite amiable. And, if you can believe it, the whole thing ended up with a group photo (officer included) in front of the police car.

I can’t make this stuff up, folks…

Final August sunrise

Chris, Lake Monster #17 (congrats!)

The infamous “Ladder of Mischief”

One big happy family!

0 Replies to “Swim Report – August 31, 2008 – Ladders edition

  1. Great photos! Too bad I had to leave early and missed all the real fun. I had a feeling that Chicago’s Finest would show up eventually.

    Provided I’m unscathed after Big Shoulders next Saturday, I’ll be out there Sunday morning.

  2. Hey Natalie! Can’t let that swim time stand unchallenged…

    We’re still going to give it a shot with the weekly swims, but we’ll be meeting an hour later to make things easier on everyone. Besides, since my tri season is over, I’m finding myself staying out later on weekend nights…

  3. What a great report, Steve! Sorry I missed it; I chose to sleep in after sprained-ankle Amanda gave me an out. I needed to recover from vacation, anyway.

    So what happens now that the beaches are officially closed? I hope to get some good swims in yet this year. I need to practice since Amanda beat big sister’s swim time in the triathlon.

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