Eleventh Swim - November 2014 - Esquimalt Lagoon

Beach: Esquimalt Lagoon
Water Temperature: 9.1
Sand Temperature: N/A
Waterkeeper Rating: Not monitored at this time of year.
Outside Temperature: 7 Celsius
Weather Conditions: Wind: 0 knots of wind and cloudy
Water Conditions: A few weeds
Tide: In most of the way.
Time: 3:00 PM

The last time it was this cold for my swim was in January of this year. However, I don’t really consider 7 C to be cold. I am currently getting a cold, so the salt water helped to burn out my nostrils and throat. At this time of year, the waterkeeper rating on the the Swim Guide app is not updated. As soon as we arrived at the beach, my lucky swim charm greeted me (a harbour seal stuck his heady out of the water. There was a mix of sun and cloud which also made the swim more enjoyable.

I think it is fairly safe to say that the water temperature stays fairly average throughout the year. Today at Esquimalt Lagoon it was 9.1 C, in January and February this year it was also 9. However, the anomaly is in July when it was 14 but this was probably because the water was shallower and the tide was part way out so this water was heating up as it sat in the sun. I will take the temperature in the same spot with the same tide level and the same thermometer next month for my last swim of the year.

9 C

So exhilirating.

I am holding my glasses.

Seventh Swim - July 2014 - hot sand

Beach: Esquimalt Lagoon
Water Temperature: 14.1 C
Sand Temperature: 20.8 C
Waterkeeper Rating: Green and safe to swim.
Outside Temperature: 17 Celsius
Weather Conditions: Cloudy, windy and looking like it was going to rain.
Water Conditions: Choppy waves and a few weeds.
Tide: Coming in. (medium tide)
Time: 1:00 PM

I finally bought a new meat thermometer but unfortunately I couldn’t find the same brand or model as my old one (it would have helped if I had known the brand or had a picture of what it used to look like). The water has really heated up since my last reading in March. The water is 5.8 C warmer now than it was in March. I had to measure the water temperature in a bucket because the choppy waves were coming too close to drowning my thermometer. Since the sand at Esquimalt Lagoon is usually blistering hot, I decided to check the temperature of the sand too and it was 20.8 C today.

Due to the wind and threat of rain, my son and I were the only two brave swimmers on the entire beach. The wind was warm so I immediately warmed up after my swim. I swam for 10 minutes. I still thought the weather was perfect for swimming. During our two weeks of really hot weather at the beginning of this month, we spent a few evenings going for swims at Esquimalt Lagoon. I have also been swimming in Parksville and Dolphin beach this month. Get out and swim while you can.

Water temperature 

 Sand: Warmer than the water and the air. 

Wave sitters.

The looming clouds and my husband’s Ural.

A tiny blip.

Second Swim - February 2014 - Why don't locals swim in the winter?

Beach: Esquimalt Lagoon
Water Temperature: 9 Celsius
Outside Temperature: 8 Celsius
Weather Conditions: Sunny with no clouds and a light breeze.
Water Conditions: Clear. No weeds. Tiny waves.
Tide: Three quarters of the way up the beach (almost all in)
Time: 12 PM

We were on this beach on Saturday, February 22, 2014 and even though it was snowing the water was calm enough for me to go in. However, I had a really bad cold and decided to wait for a sunnier less snowy day like today. Although the pictures would have been neat with the snow.

Originally, I was planning to visit a different beach each month. However, I want to see how much the water temperature changes each month throughout the year. Therefore, I thought for comparison it might be best to visit the same beach. I didn’t see any sea lions in the water today. However, my 2.5 year old daughter did get her feet wet with me. She said it was way too cold and immediately wanted her socks on. I suppose this is probably why locals don’t swim at this time of year (unless they have a wet suit).

Speaking of locals, a lady who was out walking her dog (also from Alberta) chatted with me as I was getting out of the water. She thought that I was a local and that perhaps locals really do swim here all year round. I assured her that I haven’t seen any other swimmers when I frequent the Esquimalt Lagoon.

After my swim today, it took me less time to warm up (the sun helped) than after my January swim. I think it helped that I went for a 20 min run before my swim today too.

Pre-swim run.

Same water temperature as in January.


Kids make great towel holders.