Want to start your day with a cool, refreshing swim in the ocean?

The water can give you an extra jolt of energy and get your blood flowing for the day ahead.

Southern California Aquatics (SCAQ), California Triathlon (Cal Tri) and XTerra Wetsuits are sponsoring organized ocean swims. Free and open to the public, they are not intended for beginners.

The weekly outings started this morning,

Every Thursday, they will take place on Santa Monica Beach at 6 a.m. Meet at Lifeguard Tower No. 26, at the end of Ocean Park Boulevard and Barnard Way.

Clay Evans, SCAQ head coach and Olympic silver medalist, is leading the coaching effort, with support from other SCAQ and Cal Tri coaches.

To participate, swimmers must be able to complete 1,000 yards freestyle (front crawl) in less than 20 minutes.

Lifeguards will be present on the beach.

If you are interested, attend a SCAQ Swim 101 workout before you show up to the beach.

They are held in Culver City, the Valley and South Bay.

Visit the website, swim.net/scaq, for a complete schedule. Click on free clinic to sign up for a Swim 101.

To have questions answered, email scaq@swim.net or call the office at 310.390.5700.

Ms. Artley may be contacted at news@swim.net