Archive for Swim

6-2, 3-6: so the day begins

March 24, 2026 at 8:19 pm · Filed under Swim, Tennis

… the tray

Out there since 7:30am.

Frist, time my 100 yard for a possible swim in September, which is 2:09. Not too baad, it was 2:06 near 2 years ago.

It has been a while to time my swim, since the second Fitbit broke in less than a year. but I generally do 1k yards under 25 minutes: I alternate 100 free, 100 breaststroke/frog: this way, it’s easy to count, remember.

Then, I practiced on court. When the play finally began, it’s 9 already. The first set Tony and I won convincingly or Joel and Gordo. But the second set we lost to Dave L and Matt: I was tired, but able to hold my two service games.

… to serve: here is how, says the coach.

And here is how a day starts

… and the warm-up

 

 

 

 

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A mile @ Biltmore

March 17, 2026 at 11:21 pm · Filed under Swim


The Biltmore pool

the 25 yard lane

The pool opens from sunrise to sunset. When I get to it at 7:30 in the morning, a group of campers are there (from 7 to 8am), leads by a female coach, who told me the 25 yard spot to swim with the lane on the bottom – just perfect!

I did my mile in the main part of the pool, and moved to the smaller section by the cabanas after they left.

… the swim

 

 

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Biltmore pool

March 16, 2026 at 3:45 am · Filed under Swim


1200 Anastasia Avenue
Coral Gables, Florida 33134

The beautiful, free form swimming pool at Biltmore Hotel is one of the largest in the US. Image, how much joy I’m having – totally enjoying it!

Many groups of black starlings (?) and other little birds are always present, keeping us company, regardless how empty or busy the pool is.

The local residents can join the membership club and swim here too.

In the morning 7-8am, there is a swimming camp, heads by an ougoing lady, she said I can post her front face photo -:). I did a mile the following day.

There are eight cabanas for rent, complete with shower, mini fridge. Depending on the day of the week and time of the year, and size, it cost from $240 for four, to $725 for eight people, per day.

The poolside cafe Cascade becomes my workplace -:) the Blue of London Earl Grey black tea from Yunnan & bergamot (?) is my fave.

… the pool

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A cold clinic

November 28, 2025 at 9:49 pm · Filed under Swim, Tennis

Since Thanksgiving, the weather has been cold, 48° at 8 am. The swimming pool water temp is 79°: comfortable for me, cold for the rest, or most.

Today’s clinic: waiting position.

Coach said my waiting stance shouldn’t be flush to the baseline, which is how I stand, but should be one leg ahead, such as Kei Nishikori (1989-).

Today, there is just me and Greg.

After hitting from baseline and volley, we played canadian doubles, and I was able to win a game.

~ forehand
~ volley

 

 

..

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Morrison Hill swimming pool

November 27, 2025 at 1:12 am · Filed under Swim

摩理臣山游泳池
7 Oi Kwan Rd,
Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Someone posted two photos of this pool today, where I used to swim daily.

It’s Thanksgiving in the US, but our prayers are with Hong Kong: the big fire Wang Fuk Court structure fire has claimed 75, and many more are expected; 3 arrests are made as of now.

 

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Swim …

November 22, 2025 at 7:37 pm · Filed under Musing, Swim

With a little extra time on hand before tennis, instead of the warm up laps, I record myself.

The most obvious one is my free: thought I’ve fixed my hand/arm crossing the middle. But my right arm is still doing it.

I rarely swim the fly, which looks kiddish. And the backstoke: do I need to turn more?

Four strokes: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle, in the individual medley (IM) sequence:

  1. butterfly: kiddish
  2. backstroke
  3. breaststroke
  4. freestyle: my right hand is crossing the middle

 

 

 

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A wavy ows

November 9, 2025 at 10:16 pm · Filed under Swim

Another shoreline ows morning. Air temp 75° and water 72° (or about), feeling a bit cold as I’m wading into the ocean. But once in, it’s a most wonderful temperature. We swam 1:25, about 1.5 miles.

A partly cloudy day, and the skies look beautiful, with the moon. Many sea birds are around us.

The waves are pretty strong. My partner felt nauseous, so we returned before reaching the hotel.

 

 

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OWS: 1 miler

October 27, 2025 at 2:05 am · Filed under Swim

A gorgeous day for open water swim at Pass a Grill Beach @ Hurley Park, by 8 am the air temperture is 72° and water 77°@ Pass-A-Grille Beach.

The swim is alone the shoreline. Some swimmers do time, while others do distance. I did 1 mile, in less than an hour.

Pass a Grill Beach is a 4-mile long beach. 

 

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Two moons & 9 serves

October 9, 2025 at 7:42 pm · Filed under Swim, Tennis


The autumn moon is still full. The reflection in the pool makes an interesting photo.

Tennis: 4-5, 5-0, 2-3 on serve but our court time runs out.

The first set was w/ Larry: we should have won. I served first, 30-0, 30-30, 40-30 and won the first game. The second time I served, an ace and 40-love … but lost. This was terrible!

 

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Swim at sunrise

August 1, 2025 at 9:25 am · Filed under Swim

A lovely sunrise, over the tennis courts and the pools.

A little discovery: holding my breath at the beginning is definitely shorter than after a few laps in the pool, or a few holds. i.e. I’ve to struggle a little to reach the end, which is 20 yards. But after a few laps, I can finish the 20-yard with ease in one breath.

… is this the so called “Warm-up Effect”?

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