Flipper Steps on the Sand

When you see only one set of flipper steps on the sand, it means you found a quiet place on the beach to nap.

Synchronized Yawns

Mother and pup seals on the beach at the Children's Pool getting their naps in sync.

Exiting the water

Mother and pup seals exiting after a morning swim at the Children's Pool.

Victory

On the rocks after completing the one-mile swim.

Breathing

Swimming near the front of the pack on the outbound leg.

Race start

Entering the water for the 10:00 am heats.

Ray entering

*thunderous applause* Ray entering the cove for the 10:00 am heats

Lifeguard On Duty

'Nuf said.

Best view in the house

The locals always know where the best seats are.

Crowds

I tend to get cranky when I have to share a lane. This kind of crowding would drive me nuts.

Safety First

The first heat proceeding under the watchful eyes of San Diego's Lifeguards.

Early morning wait

Racers waiting to descend the stairs to the Cove for the 8:45 heats.

Entering the Cove

Racers entering the cove for the 8:45 heats.

Crew of the Eileen

Still rowing hard despite having been tossed twice and suffered a capsized boat on the start. They went on to grab second place in the tumultuous event in heavy surf.

Dory racers

This boat was the one out of three that started without losing its crew, and went on to win the morning event.

Not how this was supposed to go

Start for two of the three boats at the morning Dory Boat Race. Both lost their crews and one flipped. Note the capsized white boat (Eileen) under the sitting competitor on the left of the image. That boat, the Eileen did go on to finish the event.

Tough day

It was a tough day for many of the competitors with big surf adding to the challenges.

Home stretch

Racers in the Surf Ski race at the final turn before heading to the beach.

Surf Ski racer

Racer at the turn shot from the pier.

Save me

One of the competing lifeguards between events.

Race start

"Victims" heading out at the start of the men's Rescue Relay.

Open-water finishers

Sprinting for rankings at the end of the Surf Race event.

Heading to the finish line

Finisher in the men's Surf Race

Surf Race finish

Finishers at the open-water swim race portion of the lifeguard competition.