Day 4: The Sun, The Sand And The Sea!!

Heard lots about the California beaches.. Seen them on TV on Baywatch, and many other movies.. heard from friends and strangers.. And today is the day where we gonna have a taste of the Pacific waves!!! Cowabunga!!

Had some burger lunch at Jack in the Box down Laguna Beach and headed for the waves at Dana Point, Salt Creek Beach.

Finally the time has come.. with my super-see-thru blue BBall shorts on, i was prepared to faced the pacific waves. Out i went and woooooow, the water was cruelly cold (18-20 degrees C?), and the waves were rather strong, for an Asian man.

As you can probably see the pictures on the left, the wave absolutely rolled over me. And i went on to swim out to where the surfers are... I must be crazy!! Why? Read on..

Summary for the Pacific Experience:
It is not that easy to take on the Pacific waves without a wetsuit. Becos the water is far too cold for a normal person to stay in it for too long, i must admit that hypothermia almost hit me if i haven swam back to the shore. And with the waves and current so strong, i was pulled back to the sea when i was closer to the shore. It actually took me quite a while and lots of effort to try to reach the shore. And i ended up about 50 metres away from where i entered the water.

I won't say it is a near death experience, but should i have been in the water for a bit more longer, something dramatic might have happened. I rest for a full 15 mins before i could get back up to try again.

My advice for 1st timers: get a wetsuit and dun go too far until you are comfortable with the temperature and waves/current.