What’s your Point of Entry???
It may be a bit early to talk about this but summer’s close by & its time to consider one of the biggest yearly questions….”When will I go swimming?”
This is not an insignificant question. Despite the inviting blue of the water & the warmth of a truly sunny day, the waters of spring & early summer Torch are bone chilling at best. So careful consideration must be given to exactly WHEN the right time is for that first dip. After serious & not-so-serious conversations with numerous swimmers I can offer you several ways to approach this decision…
1. The calendar…This technique appeals widely to organized souls who like schedules . Calendars never change, the dates remain the same year after year. All you have to do is look at your trusty calendar, pick a date & circle it in red (or some version of your favorite color). Then you simply put on your swimsuit & wait for the aforementioned date, & in you go. The added benefit to using the calendar is that once you have chosen your date, your can use the same one year after year! The downside is that the lake doesn’t own a calendar & therefore may not have the same idea about water warmth on any given day.
2. The thermometer…Also high on the list of decision-making aids is the thermometer. People who are a bit more flexible & concerned about creature comforts like warmth, seemed more likely to use the thermometer. Like the calendar, it’s easy to use & the numbers don’t change. The biggest challenge is in finding the number that fits your body type & personality but once your found it, throw on your suit, & wait for the temperature to rise. The downside is that the lake doesn’t own a thermometer either & you run the risk of never reaching your target temp.
3. Your vacation schedule…It’s a sad but true fact that not everyone has all the free time in the world, & not everyone lives on Torch Lake. So some people have to resort to using their vacation schedule to determine their entry point. This can be very beneficial in that you know when you will have time off, & once on vacation, you’re better able to enjoy the water because you’re not carrying all that stress around with you. The downside is of course, Mother Nature. She doesn’t know your vacation schedule & she doesn’t always cooperate.
I hesitate to mention this last method of choosing your point of entry because it’s reckless & unpredictable, with no control over the outcome…
Reckless Abandonment…this is the method we used before we knew there were methods, before we were grown ups with a finely tuned sense of responsiblity & a deep inclination towards self-preservation. It’s difficult because there are no rules. In fact, it requires that you throw out the rules & just go!
Like Nike says… “Just Do It!
Reckless Abandonment says you simply look at the water one day & go…no thinking, no weighing the consequences…just a mad dash down the dock, a wild leap into the air, a mighty yell, & a magnificent splash into summer fun!
I can’t tell you which technique will work best for you. That’s a decision that rests on your shoulders alone, but whichever one you choose to use to determine your Point of Entry, the result is the same…total emmerision in Torch Lake’s blue water, big fun, & this year’s summer season!
The Heart of Torch Lake 