Swim Meet and Bay Boat Ride in San Francisco

Swim meet day in San Francisco, out at the pool on Frida Kahlo Way. A 25-yard course, eight lanes when they need them, and enough extra water that the Seals meets there can keep warm-up and cool-down lanes going while the races run. Seven feet deep at both ends, which is more than most of these kids are tall.

The girls stood around in their caps between events, one coach in a straw hat keeping them loose. The starts were the best part — a whole heat off the blocks at once, arms out, half of them already in before the splash from the fastest one settled.

Afterward we got out on the bay for a boat ride, which was a good way to shake off a morning of standing on pool deck. Hazy over the water, cool enough for jackets even in August. The kids were done racing; the rest of us weren't done with the day yet.