Santa Cruz Beach Swim!

I'm visiting my parents in Northern California this week, and unfortunately they're not really close to any natural body of water good for swimming.  I brought all my swim gear up before I really figured out a place to swim at in hopes the conditions would be good.  I tried out swimming at the 24 Hour Fitness near their house but it was crowded, had some bizarre rule about only one person swimming per lane (it's two in a pool of the same size/divisions at my home 24 Hour Fitness...), and my ears hurt after swimming in the chlorine (leaky earplugs...)  So I was determined to make the ocean swim happen while I was up here.  I did more internet searches, and the most feasible place (distance, water quality, predicted surf conditions), it seemed, was Santa Cruz Main Beach.

Front of Boardwalk

The only way to Santa Cruz from my parents' house was the harrowing Route 17, which is part freeway, part really really scary two-lane mountain road with some pretty tight turns and a narrow space between your lane and a concrete divider and/or into trees.

I made it in one piece about 45 minutes later and parked at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk main parking (6 dollars since it was "off season" and they had limited operation of the rides/attractions.)  From the parking, it was only a short walk to the Beach.

Nice, glassy, non wavy water! <3 (But danged cold!)

I had previously checked the Surfline reports about the wave conditions so I knew it would be somewhat calm conditions, and that was what I found when I arrived.   The swim area was marked off with buoys that looked like a reasonable distance from the beach.  I stood and watched the surf for awhile (since I had never swam here before) and finally decided it was safe to swim.  I decided to go out four buoys and back.

HOLY COW it was COLD.  Surfline said it was about 51 degrees, which is about 10 degrees colder than I'm used to, but my wetsuit was 5/4/5 so it was okay for this temperature.  I had to jump up and down in the water for a couple of minutes before heading out for the swim.

Surface chop was minimal, but there was a notable current going against me and the cold was a bit demoralizing.  I was somewhat afraid of hypothermia (hey, I never swam in this temperature before!) so I decided to do the multiplication table in my head while I stroked.  That actually staved off the boredom and the compulsive sighting and really helped me finish the swim.  It was only .91 miles, but I couldn't wait to get out of the water and get something to eat.  I was hungry XD

Overall and excellent place to swim, as long as water temperatures allow in the off-season.  In the summer season, be prepared to pay full price for the parking!