Swimming With Sharks

I’m pretty pumped to tell you that this past weekend, I fulfilled a semi-lifelong goal of swimming around the Santa Cruz Wharf. 

I’ve always wanted to do this, but it turns out, it’s illegal and blah blah blah…except for two annual races, one being a triathlon.

My dear friend from high school, Molly, invited me to do the Roughwater Swim with her, and I was so happy she did.  We coordinated a few workouts in the weeks leading up to the race, and on the actual day, our friend, Kelly, joined us.

Kelly, Julia, and Molly...pre-race with the wharf behind us.

I should mention that Kelly and Molly are REAL swimmers.  They are hard-core, awesome athletes whose abilities I admire so much.  Molly has done the Alcatraz Swim, Kelly shows them who's boss each year at the Golden Gate Bridge Swim, and (spoiler alert!) they both ROCKED this race, coming in at very impressive times and placing third and fourth in our age group.

I’m the fool who left her only bathing suit in the miracle spin-dryer at the community pool last week…never to be found again.  I was the kid who was afraid to do Junior Guards, and the local girl who has only been surfing once.  (It turns out, I am WAY too Type-A to remain chill between sets.) 

So, you know…this race was a “low-expectations, positive attitudes” kind of event for me.

To make things more exciting, there have been several recent shark sightings at local beaches, including the one at which we were swimming.  I’ve never bought into the whole “Jaws” fear.  There’s so many things to be afraid of…plus, it’s way more likely you’ll be pulled out to sea by a rip current or pummeled into the shore by a gnarly wave than attacked by a shark.  But if you are, punch it in the face and then swim like mad.  But...positive attitudes!

GAME FACES at the start line!

But back to race day…based on previous workouts, Molly and I thought it would be a good idea to get in the water before jumping in for the actual race.  The water temperature right now is about 59 degrees, and putting your face in the water is like an intense ice-cream headache.

Me: “Okay, Kelly, we’re going to get in and cool down now.”

Kelly: “Don’t you mean warm up?”

Julia: “Ummmmm, yeaaaaaaaah.”

We cooled down, jogged down the beach to the start line, got a quick race instructions briefing from Kelly, and then it was time to go!

See our cool anklets?  Very legit.

As I began my swim, I experienced an incredibly familiar landscape from a whole new perspective.  There was a Stagnaro Bros sign hanging from one of the pier posts, something you’d never see ordinarily.  There was the echo of the seals under the wharf…mere yards away! 

When I saw the Dream Inn for the first time in my peripheral vision while coming up for a breath, I knew I was getting close. 

As I ran up the beach and under the yellow banner, my parents and friends were cheering.

Julia Ando, number 549, official time: 37:20.

And the best news?  I was not the last one to finish!  I beat a nine-year-old boy.  And seventeen other people.  Also, I came back with all my limbs.

 All in all, I'd call that a success.

$30 – Early Bird Registration Fee

$24 – One Time Fee for not being in Master’s Swim

$25 – Five Lap Swim Workouts at Harvey West Pool

$16.19 – SPEEDO® Swedish Goggle 2-Pack

$12 – Victory lunch at Walnut Avenue Cafe 

TOTAL COST: $107.19 for making one dream a reality.