I’m going to be flying in to and staying near Aptos, specifically at the Seascape Resort, next week. Any suggestions on places to hit an open water swim there? Also, is there somewhere I could rent a wetsuit?
Thanks.
Depending on your comfort level in the ocean you could swim right out in front of Seascape Resort. Just go out past the breakers and swim parallel to the shore. Otherwise I would recommend driving about 10 min. to Capitola Beach. It is usually pretty well protected by the swell. There are lots of buoys, boats and moorings to swim around. Plus lots of restaurants and coffee shops for after the swim. Or you could drive up coast a bit further to Santa Cruz and swim on Cowell’s beach, north of the wharf. As far as wetsuits go, I would try to google something. Sorry.
Yeah, that whole area there and in Capitola should be fine to swim along the shore as long as you are comfortable and the surf is down
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you could look up santa cruz triathlon club and see if they have any group ocean swims. cool bunch. google ‘cement ship’ and swim there. it’s in aptos and is a longer, shallower beach with a lot more swimmers and paddlers about so you can find a buddy. have fun.
Definitely check with local groups before swimming.
Santa Cruz Triathlon Assoc http://sctriathlon.com/
A good contact is Penni Bengtson. She is well-versed on all things tri, here’s her email: info@finishlineproduction.com
KS
Thanks for the contact info. I did reach out to Santa Cruz Endurance on Facebook, I’ll contact Penni as well.
Karen…thanks for the reference.
I would definitely suggest Cowell Beach/Collins Cove area right in front of the Dream Inn in Santa Cruz. On Friday nights there is usually a group swim at 5:15 where people either swim around the wharf or stay in the cove (depending on comfort level). Also a Sunday morning group at 8:30 or 9:00am Meet at the stairs going down to the beach to find folks going in for a swim – they will be the ones wearing all the wetsuits!
Around the Cement Ship at Seabright State Beach is another alternative but can be rough, not to mention stinky from all the bird crap on the ship, depending on how the wind blows. Better to swim there with a buddy and swim along the shore.
Seascape can be really rough with high surf, although we haven’t had much of that lately. I haven’t been out there in a long time but I recall an onshore rip current as well. Its another place to take a buddy on a swim.
You mean great white shark trolling?
Lots of big fish around there. Capitola, cowell’s, etc in shallow water with no surf you’re pretty safe, but swimming “past the breakers” (aka off the dropoff) at a beach with waves is pretty risky IMO (been surfing there for ~15 years…)
I’d avoid the Cement Ship area myself…
Specialized Helicopters video of sharks by the Cement Ship