Sunday, May 24, 2009

Makapuu is all sharky.

That's what you always hear, anyway. I heard a group was going to swim from Makapuu to Sandys on Sunday morning and I knew I had to do it. I've been hiking up that mountain since I was 12, looking down at that clear water and watching the whales. Makapuu is just out of this photo, on the far right, and Sandys is the beach you see on the far left.


It's normally terribly rough out there, but we've had some really calm seas, so it was the perfect time to try it. A certain tough fireman/lifeguard that I know refused, something about seeing the sharks eat a person out there once...  but nine people showed up at 8:30 Sunday morning to do it, and Carrie and I were among them. It's nice to have a house guest who is an incredible swimmer and always up for an adventure.


Jean had found escorts. We had Tom, a Hawi-born lifeguard who has made countless channel crossings between all the islands, and Duane, who kayaked along with us as well. Tom took a look at Makapuu and told us all to get in our cars - we were going to have to swim the other direction because the current looked strong, in spite of the glassy water. So off we went to Allen Davis to jump in off of the telephone pole:





I made a quick decision to go with the fasties right off the bat, some of them, like Olwen, Tom Anderson, and Carrie, a former Cal swimmer, that I had no business trying to hang with.. but I was able to hang on as long as I drafted. There would be many more photos if I didn't spend the whole swim huffing and puffing to avoid getting dropped and left all alone out there. This was my view of Carrie's feet for an hour and ten minutes:


A school of kihikihi way down deep - I usually see them solo.

The visibility was incredible, my camera doesn't do it justice. The water was at least 50 feet deep for most of the swim, and there were caves and ledges and fish all around. The waves coming back off the cliffs made for some difficult chop and I got tired.. I haven't swam more than 2k in a while and this was 4k, easy. But we made it..

And some people (Tom) even had the energy left to bodysurf when we finished!

One of the great things about Oahu's triathlon community is just walking up to a group where you know one or two people, making introductions, and then heading out for an adventure. The Kailua Swim Club folks are so cool and I was reminded - this is why I train. This is why I learned to swim. So I can go out and do things like swim around Makapuu point, which for most of my life I thought only an olympian or a moron would do.

16 comments:

  1. WOW...brave woman..did you even think about sharks at all??? I think I will stick to the swimming pool and our no see murky water here in ugly land:)
    You look awesome...very cute suit:)

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  2. I am in awe how nonchalantly you mention the high probably of shark activity in areas where you swim! You are so brave...but after seeing the amazing places where you get to swim I can understand how the risk is worth it. Also, cute suit!

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  3. Hi Rachel! I'm a blog stalker of yours who is thrilled you are blogging:) Your photos are joy for my retinas - you are hands down the hottest mother on the block. Happy Training!

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  4. OMG, I'm so happy you didn't get eaten by a shark!

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  5. So glad to hear you talk about really liking swimming! :) That said... you're swimming the Na Pali Coast??? WHO ARE YOU?? AND WHAT DID YOU DO WITH RACHEL?

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  6. Oh that looks like my kind of adventure, I so wish I was there and WAY TO FINALLY DO IT RACH! Sometimes I wish we lived on the same island so we could make double the trouble...

    Have a good week! AND I hope it's a good one without missing Rams and your kids too much!

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  7. That looks like it was SUPER FANTASTIC!!!

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  8. Wow, how cool is that! Thanks so much for sharing...those waters look amazing!

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  9. um, wow. i don't really like sharks. and i know i would be the slowest one...not good. total craziness!!!

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  10. You take camera when swimming?? You island people are peculiar ;)) Looks lovely.

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  11. That last photo is great! Thanks for sharing your adventures.

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  12. what in the world is a telephone pole doing there. There's a logical story I would think.

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  13. Great pics Rachel. I have to ask- where do you put your camera while you're swimming? I always wonder how you and Bree are able to take cute pics in the water and then stow the camera while you're hammering away in the water.
    Good luck at Alcatraz!!

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  14. love the suit...you make island living look like a complete DREAM. Congrats on the swim and avoiding the sharks...brave woman!

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  15. Hey Rach (and Carrie!!!),
    Nice to see both your smiling faces. Last time was when Jeff, you and Carrie did the team tri :) You both look GREAT. Wish we could see you both in person. We just got back from our "long" run. Isabel took a tumble, popped right back up--blood running down her leg, and said "it just stings". I think she's been influenced by your strong example.
    We love and miss you
    Jan and Isabel

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