Showing posts with label dolphin club. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dolphin club. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Signs, signs, everywhere signs


"And the sign said, 'long hair freaky people need not apply'" - The Five Man Electrical Band ('72) Actually, that isn't what this sign said. I just had that song running through my head all day. Click on the image to see what the sign at the Dolphin Club really says.

Nobu and I joined the Dolphin Club tonight. We attended the monthly board meeting and were surprised at the turn out. It was an unlikely band of like-minded folks. The room was split evenly between those interested in swimming and those interested in rowing. As I listened to each of the 11 new members introduce themselves, it was apparent that each shared a love of the sea and San Francisco.

I introduced myself as a friend of Jon Nakamura who swims with the crew at 6 am. The reaction in the room was a bit of a surprise. I surmised that, even among the membership of the Dolphin Club, the 6 am swimmers are viewed as a bit crazy.

The president of the club described swimming in the bay as a "spiritual experience." Another said he felt reborn after each swim. An older fellow, drinking a martini in front of a remarkable view of the sun setting on the Golden Gate, simply said "its f*#@n cold." I'd say they all hit the mark.

At the close of the meeting we got a tour of the club. I learned that the club has a full kitchen and a boat building shop. I also realized it was the first time I had seen the Dolphin Club beach in daylight. Here are a couple of pictures I took. In the background of the first picture you can see the "Cathyer" that I described in an earlier post. The second picture is Aquatic Park and the Golden Gate. Click on these images, they are really nice!



Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Who dares to swim in the bay at 6 am?


After two days off, I hit the bay this morning at 6 am. It was much lighter out this morning. Here is a CLASSIC picture of the usual morning crew at the Dolphin Club. From left to right you see Jon, Sunny and Mark.

Jon is very generous and is always smiling. He is the former president of the Dolphin Club and has been swimming in the bay for nearly 20 years. I thanked Jon for sharing his space with me and he replied that 20 years earlier his co-worker invited him for a swim and he was merely returning the favor.

Sunny and Mark and super nice folks. I was surprised to meet their grand-daughter at the club one morning. I was surprised because they are superstar triathletes and in better shape than any 20 year old I’ve ever met. This morning Mark casually mentioned he went biking with Floyd yesterday. My brain was still thawing, so it took a moment to register. . . Landis? I asked. Yep, he replied. Check out Sunny and Mark’s web page.

Huge congrats to Nobu for joining us this morning! Poor Nobu had a tough start as he forgot everything but his wetsuit. Borrowed cap, goggles, towel is no way to start your first dark swim. He swam well and was all smiles when we returned to the beach. I hope he joins us on Friday morning.