Fourth Swim - April 2014 with the Whole Family

Beach: Cordova Bay Beach Park

Water Temperature: It’s a long story.
Outside Temperature: 21 Celsius
Weather Conditions: Sunny with no clouds and no breeze.
Water Conditions: Clear. No waves. Few weeds.
Tide: Coming in. (low tide)
Time: 2:00 PM

New swimsuit top from la Vie en Rose Aqua

The sand is so soft.

It would only read the outside temperature and not the water.


I guessed that by the end of April it would be nice enough for my entire family to go swimming and it was. Today was the hottest day of the year yet. We tried to go to a new beach but there were too many barnacles. Next we went to Island View Beach Regional Park but since the tide was out I would have had to wade through weird brown feathery weeds to get deep enough to swim laps. Therefore we went to our tried and true Cordova Bay Beach Park.

Unfortunately, I could not take the temperature of the water because I lost my meat thermometer to customs. It was rather embarrassing and funny at the same time. We went to Edmonton for 2.5 weeks in April and on my way out the door I grabbed my winter coat. I didn’t think to check the pockets. The last time I wore the coat was for my last swim in March. I had a seashell, sea glass and a meat thermometer in my pocket.

It is ideal to swim at Cordova Bay Beach Park while the tide is out because the water is super warm. My son crawled in and out of the water for 30 minutes. My daughter and I ventured out to a tiny sand bar island that has the waves come in from both directions. We had to fight the sea gulls for the island but enjoyed building sandcastles and watching them disappear. My husband even got we up to his knees and he stayed in with my son. There is a nice little playground at this beach too.

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.