Penn Cove, still cold.
The Cold Water Challenge ran out of steam a long time ago.
Once the one-timers got their 15 seconds of braving the waters of Whidbey out of their system, it got a lot quieter for the rest of us.
The very few rest of us.
As I hit Day 100 in Penn Cove in 2014, my fourth straight year to top the century mark (I still have a ways to go to reach last year’s high water mark of 222 days), I, once again, had the water completely to myself.
Well, except for the occasional fish, or bird trying to dive-bomb said fish, that is.
For once, the sun was out, not that the water noticed enough to brings its temperature up any.
For the one-timer who looked down the Hill O’ Death and saw Penn Cove glittering in the Sunday sun, it would be deceptively inviting.
Don’t believe it.
The truest image of swimming in Penn Cove is of one that shows an overcast day, with wind whipping a salty chop into your face on a steady one-two-one-two beat.
That’s the Penn Cove I know.
And no worries, I’m sure it’ll be back on Day 101. But so will I.
Coupeville Sports 