I'm starting this thread as a way for people to check if there is going to be an open water swim at second beach in Middletown RI, any given day. We do these swims from June 15 to November 15, usually on Tues and Thurs. We also sometimes do an early morning swim on the weekend, from 1st beach to 2nd beach, around Easton's Point, about 1.9 miles. Starting in June I'll be posting the plans and the reports. I usually send out emails, but this won't require an email list, and anyone who is interested will be able to check. Who knows, maybe others who swim at 2nd beach and have access will chime in and organize their own swim dates using the forum!
Aloha
Mike.
Here are five of us after swimming the 1.7 mile first to second beach swim Today.....None the worse for the wear I'd say but the skinny one said he was losing some power because of cold arms in the second half.
Beautiful day.
Nate and I braved the cold waters (59F maybe) yesterday in a moderate south breeze that kept us bobbing up and down a bit. We're picking our days at this point. No Ice Cream face, but I'm using the neoprene cap and booties and we're limiting our adventures to 20 minutes. Brian did shore support, walking the beach and keeping track of our time. We had a pretty decent swim.
MG
Hey swimmers. Unless someone tells me otherwise there haven't been any more Sachuest beach Ocean Swims lately. (At least not from our gang.) So we wrap it up. This was the best season ever, and I'm quite grateful for the group who makes it now possible for me to go swimming just about whenever I want, at the "best place to swim in the world." My plan has ultimately reached its goal, a regular group of ocean swimmers at second beach. What was a lark is now a habit. Those Sunday morning first to second beach swims are etched in my mind like cases of fine wine, savored and remembered. Tuesday through Friday 430 swimmers (non-wetsuit) and 530 swimmers (wetsuit) worked very well, like a machine almost.
If you are in Rhode Island between May and October and want to swim with this group you can email MikeGarr@usms.org or send a PM via the USMS Discussion Forums. We keep a regular email list during the season.
ALOHA
I checked the Newport water temp data and we have begun to warm up. Good things are on their way. We're still at 43F though. I'll keep you posted...... As soon as we get a 60F we're back in business...:anim_coffee:
MG
We reached a milestone today. Unseasonably warm weather in Rhode Island has pushed the Newport water temp above 50F.
According to the most diehard open water swimmers this is swimmable with the right wetsuit, cap etc. I am not buying it.
But if anyone on the list wants to go let everyone know.
So we're still in "Spring Training" mode. I've been trying to average a mile per day but it hasn't been practical. Had a great winter competition season and have seen Mary Phelan at practice frequently. She is swimming well, too.
Looking forward to reconnect with you all when the water temp caps 60F.
:applaud:
I am hoping for a beginning to our season by the end of next week.
Temps have gotten as high as 56.5 at the Newport NOAA measurement station.
Should be chilly but invigorating.....
I've sent an email to "the list" indicating we will start up this week, Thursday and Friday, 430PM. Now we'll see if we have participation. Open water RI here we go!:bliss:
We have had a slow start but the waters have finally warmed to the point where we can regularly swim. Max participation so far has been four swimmers at a time, but the swims have been great. If you want to join in we go 430 and 530 Tuesday through Friday meeting at the main lifeguard chair. We keep a regular email list so folks can check out whether they should expect a buddy on any given swim time. email me if you want on the list
mikegarr@msn.com
Yesterday finally felt like summer. Maybe now the swims can get going.
Last Saturday several of the crew did the Narrow River turnaround swim, which was alot shorter than a mile due to a drifting turnaround marker. Water was quite warm (above 70 easily) in that section. There were 110 participants overall, and fewer kids than last year. I swam 2 miles with Fred and a medium sized group on Sunday at Sand Hill Cove, where a mild Northerly had the ocean temps back down to 61F. Then all week we got into this fog and Thunderstorm pattern which wiped out most of our interest (deservedly).
The weather is setting up for a much better week next week. Let's get in some swims, and try to increase participation.
Current Newport water temperature (in the Bay) is high sixties, and I anticipate by Wednesday second beach should get near 70F in the afternoons. I am planning to get there for 430 Wednesday and Thursday, and am finally going to go without wetsuit.
Big winds and waves Tuesday and Wednesday this past week, and lovely calm conditions today (Friday). Thursday was a washout. Plenty of participation (as many as 11), mostly with wetsuits, though the temps have gotten into the "comfortable without" region. We are planning our first Sunday morning long swim around Easton's Point for this Sunday.. No critters in the waters yet; and as usual every swim is different.
Cheers,
MG