Super 7 swim the big one

Firstly congratulations to Hildi, Ollie, Ruth, Lawrence, Sara, Paul and Pete - huge effort by everyone and a great acheivement. 4km in the sea is a real challenge. I have a broad smile on my face this morning as I note down the swim log. WE DID IT! Despite the south westerly wind and rain/drizzle those seven made it to the Marina to be greeted by cake and tea/coffee and a very kind Joan giving up her time to watch us home. (By the way that wasn't a choice of drink, that was the drink ;-) ) The sun wasn't quite up at Saltdean when we entered the slightly choppy and mid tide water. A slight eeryness and anxiety in the group obviously as we made it out to the start point level with the groyne. And then we were OFF! At about 6:35/6:40. The water felt patchy in places, sometimes giving us a tow and sometimes stopping us in our tracks, but this is our local water and we know this water now and what to expect having made it through the summer months - also a bonus - you could see the bottom! The first 20-30 mins to Rottingdean was, as usual, a period to warm the body up fully and get into the groove. Rottingdean came and went and we pushed on to Ovingdean. By this time some small groups had formed. Hildi, Ruth and Ollie were at the front, and then a little way back Lawrence and Sara had paired up. Behind that Paul C and then Pete. We made it past the windmill (eventually! - it felt like that was moving down the coast with us!) and then set our sights on to the Ovingdean cliffs that stuck out to the eye. Some waves were forming and it became enjoyable as we got a into the swim. I felt waves coming back off the wall hitting us from shore side, anyone else? The lead group of 3 made it past Ovingdean and on to the approach of the Marina. We had split up a bit by then but not by much at all. Lawrence had a moment where he thought he had lost Sara! And stood up to look around noticing her only a short distance away. The sea showing that it can hide swimmers very well even in smaller waves. And so to the finish, Ollie reached the Marina in 01:19:26 (new club record!) and Ruth followed shortly at 01:25:32. Hildi beached on the next beach along at 01:20:00. Then the others came in shortly afterwards. Lawrence and Sara finishing a couple of beaches down but didn't get the time, please let me know. Paul C came in next and actually touched the Marina wall in 01:58:40. Then binoculars and eyes looked for Pete and there he was making his way a little further back. We did save some cake for him which he garnished with a little seaweed after beaching a couple of beaches down after a 02:20:00 swim. Making it up the beach was a little fun on the rocks, but easier than trying to walk up a slippery groyne, images of the travelator from gladiators and sliding al the way down flashed across lawrence's and Sara's minds! After all warming up and getting changed the team felt thoroughly proud and looked back down from where we swam. The clouds had come in and the drizzle formed a mist over the shore. It had been a long swim, and one to remember. Some awards have to go out:

Ollie: 1st home
Hildi: Best cake and pacemaker
Ruth: Best crab impression over the rocks and biggest fan base
Lawrence: Best first swim with the group
Sara: Best slide down the groyne
Paul C: Best swim with a cracked rib and also the honour of being the only one to actually touch the wall!
Pete: Most heroic effort
Joan: Best support after her own swim at Saltdean and best weather predictions
(Written by Ollie)

Time: In 6:30, Out 9:05.
Swimmers: 8