I caught up with Nick on the walk out to L1 from Clark Street, and we knew we were in for a very different kind of swim this morning. A strong and steady wind was already hitting us while we were still 1/4 mile from the lakefront – not a good sign! And when we got to L1, it was a ferocious scene.
The aforementioned wind had created some rather massive swells – anywhere from 6 to 8 feet tall – and they had completely saturated the L1 area all the way to the bike path. We thought last week’s swim was bad, but this one was WAY worse.
Despite the raging lake, the cutting wind, and the total absence of sunshine, we had quite a few people show up. Given the circumstances, however, I strongly encouraged everyone to consider opting out if they had even the slightest of reservations about getting in the water. As it was, only a few of us got in, and most of just just swam around the L1 area where we more than got a workout in the chaotic lake.
The lake temperature came in at a surprisingly comfortable 57F. But given the strong, sustained winds and the lack of any sunshine, I opted to don my neoprene top for the first time this year – and I was glad I did! The extra buoyancy made a big difference in the water, and I didn’t lose much heat at all while in swim.
Also, a funny side story to recount – Jason and I swam out to the 1/8 mile mark and met up with Obed who had found a running shoe in the water. I didn’t think anything of it, although it did look passingly familiar. As it turns out, it was MY shoe that had been washed into the lake by a rogue wave about 15 minutes earlier! But for Obed’s vigilance, I would have had to have walked back to my car barefoot!
Kudos to all who came out on such a yucky morning. We definitely got to see Ma Nature in one of her more tempestuous moods!
Angry lakefront
Step into liquid
The view at water level
Lake Monsters in their element
Retrieving my shoe!
Tenuous approach and exit
Looking back
Haiko, Lake Monster 334
Today’s video footage:
Wow – wish I had been there! It looks like it was quite the challenge swim.
A really great swim today! I’m happy to have used this once in a time opportunity to swim in Lake Michigan. (Though the conditions certainly did demand some minimum of dexterity, tenacity and experience to feel at ease.) But the weather condition was far outweighed by the atmosphere among those swimming, thanks a lot!