Vashon Verité
A candid slice of Island life, from short feature digests to guess-where snapshots.
Dipping in
June 16th, 2011 at Thu, 16th, 2011 at 7:21 am by heidiskrzypekI know I can’t RUSH summer – heck I can’t rush spring for that matter – but I really want to swim outside in the Sound these days. The best I can do is in the constraint of a wetsuit and neoprene cap, and I’ve been going for it. Other than a propensity for neck rashes (despite copious amounts of Body Glide) the secondmost challenge is that frickin’ cold water. It’s getting better, just not great. The shock is jarring at first. Just breathe into it, right?
You have to love a Hero water camera. A flick of the wrist...
After a few weekly dips at Dilworth with the ladies who rock (“G-Pod,” represent!) and swim fervently on a regular basis out there, I have ventured with a friend to Burton where Whulging is a regular summer affair. We’ll go again this afternoon. Yesterday, I decided to dip in a little closer to home, by La Playa on the North End. Kayak escorts (son and hubbie), I went marker to marker on the east side of the dock. The tide was high, the kelp was all around, and halfway through a surprisingly tidal swim (my heading was challenged by current) I realized a harbor seal was in tow just a few yards behind me. BIGTIME!
Water, water everywhere: Vashon's north end
Suffice it to say, this sight of a head outta water staring at me - one bigger than a human head – and those big dark eyes, yeah, it expedited my swim. I triangulated straight back for the restaurant with close escorts, and am pretty sure that was probably my best swim time yet! At any moment I pictured an angry mama seal body-bumping me from beneath on the way back in…or worse yet, a male pursuing a potential mate in a black Xterra wetsuit! The imagination runs away, really. Yay, boat ramp! The only thing better would’ve been Miguel running out with a shot of some-some to warm me up. LOL.
I think I’ll stick to Dilworth and Burton…
View of Whulge Beach/Burton from the water.
heidiskrzypek Island mom and wife. Gainfully employed Seattle copywriter. Vashon forager. Emerging swimmer. Fan of dancehall reggae, good cooking, shallow reality TV shows, and public radio.
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