It was 56 degrees, and I wonder if I would've gone in today, if the man with disbelief had not teased me into it?

Date:   4/10/2005 7:48:49 PM ( 19 y ago)

Off for a swim, the water was really, really cold-the air warm and sunny. YIKES, it took all I could muster to get my core in that cold water. One of the men who was enjoying my dilemma as I inched my way into the water, began with "yes, it's 3 degrees colder than last week" I guessed that it was 56 degrees. He nodded with a big smile, obviously having some fun with me. He said "you could jump right in and get right out" I said "no, I swim from Peckhams to Southwest yacht Club" He looked impressed but not totally convinced.

Of course, now I must go in to have my swim for his benefit (haha-gotta get over this competitiveness - but it is my nature..) Truly, the worst part is over after I jump in-the rest is cake, enjoyable and absolute Heaven. FREEDOM to move in ways the earth does not allow, self expression through movement..Beauty, freedom, beyond words.

So I get to the top of my legs, oh dear that next step-then the drop off-Damn IT IS COLD! He is beaming with enjoyment at the sounds I am making little huffs of air through my teeth. He is truly rooting for me now, because this whole experience is so humorous to him. "Go, Girl!", he says. And I do! I shriek at the contraction of my skin on my back and arms- He is doubled over now, laughing out loud-but with some admiration-! Ah ye of little faith! Do not Toy with the Durga, I am full of beautiful determination (and willfulness-).

I slip on my fins while dog paddling, he is nodding his head-I have made a believer of him! I begin a smooth, strong stroke out to the first buoy, he waves, shakes his head and keeps walking. I am kicking strongly now enjoying the strength of my legs and the response of the water to my demands. I am swimming fast because the water is still cold.

By the second buoy I am getting numb, but atleast the stinging is over- I redouble the kicking efforts for warmth more than speed-and try and keep my head as dry as possible-By the third buoy I have core warmth and leg warmth, but back and arms are frozen. Right at the 3rd buoy, I do a fancy push kick and turn off the slimy buoy hoping for a little momentum for the swim back to the pier.

I begin at last to enjoy the swim but my ears are stinging and full of water, I decide to switch to the back stroke and to hell with dry hair-I need to save the ears. I wonder if the nice man on the beach hadn't been there if I would've gone in-hard to say.

Finally as the water starts to get shallow (15-20 ft) I feel some warmth. I make a concentrated bulldoze, slapping that water around- I thank God I am strong. And getting stronger. I climb out to shore and get my towel- towel off, lay down and shiver. But blessedly about 10 minutes later I feel the heat of the sun, and my muscles begin to melt under the warmth, I relax with joy and a new appreciation of what it means to be alive. I lounge and read Thomas Moore's "Soul book". I stay a half hour in the sun, but it is late in the day-I could'a skipped church today to commune in my church-the mother sea/ocean. This is where I feel most at home, and happy.

Ah well, next time! No seal this time, I do keep my eye out for him. I'd like to see him again.

 

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