Calm with a patchy current and no red container

A good turnout saw three make it to Rottingdean and back and others make it to the corner beach and back. The water was calm enough to spot each other as we spread out along the pass to Rottingdean, which I have never done before with eyes at sea level. Very gentle sets of 1 foot waves meant it was easy to enjoy watching the house on the hill that wouldn't go away no matter how hard you swam, or the pink buoy about half way or 3/4 of the way ;-) that seemed to mark out the area of strange current that was a battle to get through. Once past that area (perhaps slightly deeper water) swimmers were able to move on to Rottingdean and return on a slightly easier leg. A shade warmer than last week it seemed, maybe less breezy, with perfect swimming conditions. At higher tide we may have been able to see the bottom. People were able to sight the two towers in brighton centre on the way there and the large white cliff (second from the right) on the way back. Welcome to Joan for her first swim with us - ask Joan about the conditions, she knows the water and local conditions very well at Saltdean.
(Written by Ollie)

Swimmers: Paul C, Paul W, Sarah, Ruth, Anita, Joan, Pete, Ollie.
Time: In 7:08. Out: 8:01. 

A slightly chilly time trial

When I woke this morning I sat on the bed, took the binoculars and gazed at the sea (I love the view from my bed!!). I had packed my waterproofs the night before and the waterproof bag to sit on the beach. I was expecting to swim in the rain in rough seas. but on the contrary, the water was calm, we were greeted with a lovely sunrise to the east (obviously) and so I thought today is the day for the timetrial. With the nice weather I thought this should draw those hardy swimmers to the beach and most people can set a time for the 4 buoys. not to be! Paul and I met Paul and Sarah on the beach and went over introductions. We swam to the first buoy on the East and then three of us set a best time for the 4 buoys, anticlockwise. Distance is approx 600m. Paul W 10:26, Ollie 11:22, Sarah 12:20. then had a relaxed swim back around the buoys clockwise. Met Paul C on the beach. We also had two ladies take a dip closer to the shore and meet us on the beach which was lovely to see! i didn't catch both names but Judy was one. Temperature is starting to drop so be aware of that - approx 14 deg c.

Time: In 7:10, out 7:50
Swimmers: 6

(Written by Ollie)

Is this going to be a pain in the ar*e?

When the 4 souls that showed up lined up on the beach, well 3 (Russell had already gone in up to his ankles) we looked at the water and after I said the strapline above it dawned on me we had a title for this swim. the sea looked nice through those binoculars :). It was so far away I thought how are we physically going to do this. We could set a new world record for crossing the channel just by running! The nearest buoy flapped about on the sand helpless with no water to keep it afloat like a beached fish. the seagulls had flown away, nowt going on her for them. Even the little waves had given up that morning, they looked pathetic, barely creating a noise as they gently folded onto themselves. But did that deter SSF? NEVER ;-). The 4 of us waded out over rocks and seaweed and after reaching the furthest buoy (still able to touch the bottom), we turned right and swam to level with the corner beach and back again. Outbound was against the current and took 25 mins, and return leg was obviously with, and took 12 mins. By the time we came back to Saltdean the tide had come in enough to give the buoy some life but not too much to wash away Russel's flip flops. It was a good stretch of the arms at least. Calm waters (note to self, stop trying to predict weather conditions) and slightly colder temp - sign of things to come? (hope not!!)

Time: In 7:10, Out 7:50.
Swimmers/waders: Ollie, Pete, Russell and Anita

(Written by Ollie)

A swell time

Swam at mid to high tide with a 5 ft messy swell. Ollie took to the board to look at strokes and realised that if you don't go out on your borad for a while you get very stiff shoulders!! For those who have never done it its a different workout to swimming, slightly, and your body lets you know! Trying to sit up on it and ride 5ft swell does knck you off balance too! still only came off once. Water temp was lovely, I believe approx 16-18 deg. Swam a warm up to 1st buoy and they turned right to start loops of the buoys. South west to north East current and wave direction made some of the loop quite a challenge. Swam in drafting groups with interval efforts to and away from shore and full race pace efforts or more swimming along the shore. Most manageed two laps which was good in these conditions.

Swimmers: Ollie, Ruth, Anita, Ricardo, Hildi, Keith, Paul C
Time: In 7:05 out 7:50

(Written by Ollie)