Swimming in the ocean vs. swimming in a pool

[featherfire]

My setting is uh... well, I guess it's the Pacific coast, present day(ish) AU northern California, in the summer. My character has never been to the ocean or any body of water. He's only recently learned to swim in a pool, and he's pretty good at it, but he's only been swimming for a couple months at this point, and obviously he has no idea what

Comments

[squibstress]

I don't swim much and can't answer most of your questions, but you may want to note that the ocean in Northern California is very cold. People do swim in it, but those that are going to be in for more than a few minutes tend to wear wetsuits.

[silentg_canada]

That's true. I was going to mention that but forgot. :)

[featherfire]

Oh yeah, I know (I know it's time to leave the beach when my feet start going numb ^^). I'm probably going to have them wear wetsuits, but I also might change the setting entirely, I haven't quite decided.

[silentg_canada]

The biggest thing he will notice that will be a major deal is the waves. Even a very calm ocean will have enough waves to make it a bit more challenging to take breath without getting a mouthful of water, the waves will lick up against or wash over the swimmer as he's swimming, splash in his face if he's doing the backstroke, make him feel like he's sinking when he's not, make it tough to gauge progress if swimming with intention.

Also even in deep water there's often a lot of stuff in the water. Bits of wood floating a bit below the surface, seaweed etc which can be a bit creepy and off-putting to feel until one gets used to it.

Also salt water is very strong-tasting and can sting the eyes and skin. You get used to it very quickly so that after a few times swimming in the ocean you don't notice it any more, but at first it's noticeable.

I've never swum where there has been a noticeable current, but perhaps others can address that.

[featherfire]

Thank you, that's so helpful. I do know the Pacific, at least around San Francisco (though I think this takes place a bit more north? I'm not sure yet) has a wicked undertow, so I hope someone does say something about it.

[houseboatonstyx]

I've been caught in a 'rip tide', about waist or hip deep. It kept pulling the sand out from under my feet. I think I made a little progress wading toward the beach when a wave came in, but when it went out it was so strong it sucked me with it.

Dunno about ocean currents, but a big river current is a little scary because it NEVER stops pulling. With ocean waves you get a breather when it changes direction.

[meridian_rose]

I'm not a great swimmer and don't get to swim often, but I've found that once you've got over the cooler temperature and waves as other comments have mentioned, it's slightly easier to swim in the ocean than the pool. More buoyant, I suppose because of the salt :)

[featherfire]

Really? I guess that would make sense if you think about it, but that's kind of surprising. He'll definitely make note of that.

[meridian_rose]

Hopefully someone will come and confirm that I'm not just imagining it :)

[cryptaknight]

No, you're right. The Dead Sea, for example, is super buoyant because it's so salty.

[srsly_yes]

I agree with the above. Here's a good article about swimming in the San Francisco Bay Area.

[featherfire]

This is great, thank you!

[orange_fell]

Where in Northern California? You should research a location first, to make sure it's not one known for heavy surf or rip tides. Also, why would the experienced swimmer want to take the first timer to a beach without a lifeguard?

The Pacific is COLD. There's a story in my family about my grandmother, who moved to LA from St. Louis in the 1940s. She had previously been on beach trips to Florida, so she ran right into the waves expecting them to be warm and inviting . . . and then she ran right back out again! If your characters want to go beyond playing in the surf and go for a fairly long swim in the open water, they should probably wear wetsuits. Besides being cold, ocean water is salty and very rough compared to a pool. Your character could be knocked over by the waves and scrape or cut himself on rocks, hazards he wouldn't find at a pool.

[featherfire]

It's more like the first timer wants to take the experienced swimmer to the beach because he can't go on his own because of reasons. I've actually never been to a beach with a lifeguard. None of the beaches in San Francisco or Pacifica (which are my only experience) ever have lifeguards, so they're kinda like mythical creatures to me. ^^; My brain automatically starts in San Francisco and goes northward, but I could send them a bit farther south. Do beaches in Santa Cruz have lifeguards? According to the article the commenter above you posted, Santa Cruz has beaches that actually get warm. >> I've only been there once, when I was too young to know wtf was going on, so all I remember is playing in the sand near a wall., But I do remember the sand being very warm!

[orange_fell]

I don't know, I've never been to Santa Cruz (or any beaches north of Morro Bay, to be honest). But here's an article about beaches north of San Francisco: http://www.fostertravel.com/californias-best-beaches-north-of-san-francisco/