End of the year

No fog, no sun, adequate visibility, high tide, slight roll, Water temp approx 6-7 deg C,  air temp 3 deg C, Sara and I enjoyed a long and relaxing swim. Paul C again checked on us on his way to work.

The Saltdean Sea Swim Fitness Duo - will we have company tomorrow at 10.30???

Swimmers: Sara and Joan

In: 0740, Out: 0755

Swimming in the Christmas half-light

I met Isabella, the cleaner of the beaches with torch in hand warning that no one would come down and I should return home!  Then her spotlight shone on a faint figure at the tunnel and it was Sara.  It  was: dark; dank; gloomy; no sunrise; no light; poor visibility and we could barely see each other's faces. The fog was thick but the air temperature was pleasantly warm with a light drizzle. Then suddenly a light appeared on the brow of the shingle and a form slowly walked towards us and Paul C appeared with his usual smile checking on us  as he headed for work.  There was a roll on the edge as Sara took the plunge and Joan slowly made her way in; both promising to keep the dim  glow of the street lights in the distance within our sight as disorientation could so easily be had. Water temp. a fraction warmer than previously and it was noticeable on changing; no numb fingers and toes. At least that compensated for the gloom that surrounded us. We confirmed our meet on Friday morning at 0730 and hope that the hellrunners/riders/pool swimmers/iron folk will join us for an acclimatisation dip prior to the meet on NY's D. It gets a bit lonesome at times.

Swimmers: Sara and Joan

In: 0740, Out: 0750

(written by Joan)

Ollie goes hardcore

We swam again today and this time I thought I would bite the bullet and take the plunge without a suit on.  Unsurprisingly, it was cold and rather a shock to the system.  I used to describe it as a kiss from mother nature but after some time in a wetsuit I think I need to re-catagorize it as a slap round the chops from mother nature.  Joan I don't know how you stay in for so long...!! I managed about 5 mins! and never caught my breath!  Still, warm tea and home cooked goodies supplied by Joan and Sara helped tremendously.   I'm sure my resilliance will grow with time as I get used to it.

Time: In 7:39, Out 7:49.

Swimmers: Ollie, Joan, Sara and Paul C

(written by Ollie)

Ollie, Sara and Joan

Duvets at minus 3C

The stones on the beach did not scatter under foot because they were all frozen solid. Air temperature a steady -3C (that's minus three). Sea temperature - well, you get the idea. Whilst I thought I would be too late to do anything other than lend moral support, Sara and Joan had kindly waited patiently for me to arrive. Clearly I was not going to get away with it.

So, to business, Joan and Sara were first into the sea, I laboured as much as I could whilst putting my body armour on, which was not completely without merit as the temperatures had rendered my fingers mostly useless. Eventually, after much huffing and puffing everything popped into place and I gingerly headed down to the water, just as iron-Joan was getting out. High tide, so quick and easy to get in, no lengthy journey across the sand as has been the norm in recent weeks. The swell was a little more pronounced than I originally thought, although this was only an issue whilst getting past the breaking waves. I quickly joined Sara who was having a wonderful time swimming a slalom through the ice field. "It's beautiful", she exclaimed several times, as the lazy sun attempted to rise above a blanket of cloud, However, the red tints and hues also surely bore testimony to the snow that was menacingly gathering pace just beyond the horizon...I opted to take my inspiration from the SeaSwimFitness Duvet Chapter (who were not present) by practising my breast stroke, largely to avoid my face (my only exposed skin) having to go anywhere near the freezing water. Back on the beach, Joan distributed mince pies, and our cups of tea provided welcome respite for frostbitten fingers. And Joan also had the foresight to bring a bottle of hot water, although by the time it was poured down the inside of my wetsuit ... ! So, once the windchill had worn off, we continued to admire the sunrise and the tapestry of rich colours adorning this wintry scene. Sara pointed out some comorants and penguins that had drifted into view although and a lively debate followed as to whether these were of the Emporer or Rockhopper variety. It all happens on Saltdean beach folks!

The stones were still frozen as we left to go home.

Time: In 7:38, Out 7:52.
Swimmers: Sara, Joan and Paul C

On the second day of Christmas ... two girls a swimming ... and a ...

Sara and Joan made their way in the darkness down the shingle bank and set up for their swim. A hint of a golden glow sparked on the eastern horizon. There was a stiff north wind blowing and the calm waters lapped gently on the shingle. They walked into the freezing waters and Sara sped off to the visible end off the groyne.  Returning to say to Joan, "I'm enjoying this" and with that ploughed into the waters doing two widths of the groynes. Joan meanwhile  wallowed around looking at the flocks of gulls and cormorants overhead. Water temperature nearer 8 degrees C now. We came out of the sea and Sara had her hot water bottle to the ready with Joan pouring a bottle of warm water over her and her numb fingers.  The sun was rising; a great orange ball. A hot drink was had with mince pies and a promise to meet again at 0730 on Friday.

Time: In 7:40, Out 7:50.

Swimmers: Sara and Joan

(written by Joan)

Look for those bare extremities, those simple bare extremities, forget about your worries and your strife ...

Something of a heatwave today, air temperature up to 4C. Having initially thought I would be joining the ranks of the iron-men busying themselves in the duvet division, I headed down to the beach to link up with the other brave souls who were planning a dip. I'm late and I cannot see anyone else, and I am beginning to think that the iron-men and hellrunners have the right idea. But then I notice two silhouettes scampering across the sand into the water of the low tide, so armed with my new gloves and boots I head in after them. The cold is not so noticeable today, probably a combination of my body armour and the warmer air temperature, but it is still very hard on the face and takes a bit of getting used to, so it is not possible to swim more than a width between the groynes. At least these conditions provide Keith and myself with an opportunity to polish up our breaststroke and backstroke. The three of us continue to amuse ourselves with a variety of different strokes, purposeful thrashing around and frozen smiles like synchronised swimmers. After five minutes of this, we seem collectively uncertain if we ought to attempt some longer distances or whether we are just being foolish. Joan was out first, which makes sense as she was first in, followed by Keith and myself. Sea conditions were generally good although there was a wicked current coming in from the west (at least there was where I was standing). However, the real satisfaction is just being able to get into the sea water on a morning such as this. As has become customary, Joan supplied a bottle of hot water to revive those extremities that were feeling decidedly numb and frost-bitten. Thawed out, we drank our tea before trooping off home, confidently promising to see each other again on Wednesday but secretly wishing there were a few more swimmers in attendance just so that we did not have to feel guilty in the event of the alarm not going off.

Time: In 7:36, Out 7:54.

Swimmers: Keith, Joan and Paul C

(written by Paul)

Hot water bottles and balmy seas

I knew it was going to be a tough swim when, setting foot onto the beach, the stones did not scatter under foot, instead remaining frozen solid like slabs of rock. Joan and Sara were already on the beach preparing for their swim with the aid of hot water bottles. We began with some discussion about sea and air temperatures, the consensus being that the sea would seem to be quite "balmy" at a mighty 7C. In keeping with tradition, Joan was first in, followed by Sara and then myself. Sara suggested swimming a width between the groynes and then back to base. Gingerly I agreed, although on this morning the cold got to my exposed fingers so I had to abandon that. Sara went on to complete the course, Joan following, with myself heading out of the sea first, looking for any source of heat that might be available. Fortunately Joan had brought a bottle of hot water with her, and this was the most welcome respite. These unseasonal conditions continue ... but so does the SSF group. Just.

Time: In 7:40, Out 7:51.

Swimmers: Sara, Joan and Paul C

(written by Paul)

Mind over matter

Thick snow on the stones, bitterly cold air temperature and much soul-searching as whether getting into the sea was a good idea. I arrived on my bike, impossible to drive in these conditions. Joan was waiting on the beach for an accomplice. I duly obliged, but decided it was far too cold to even take my coat off, let alone venture into the wet stuff. Joan had no such inhibitions, and true to form just headed in. I winced, paced around the beach, hoping some sensation would return to my fingers and toes, waiting for Joan to finish her swim. Feeling somewhat cowardly, I decided to go in after all. Actually the sea  temperature was a lot warmer than the air, the effect was a bit like getting into a hot bath in a cold bathroom. Nice whilst you are in there, bit getting out is unpleasant. After a few minutes I decided to call it a day, honour had been preserved, no need for martyrdom. Joan was on hand to supply mince pies, it certainly helped. We trekked back through the snow, following our earlier footprints. This will take some beating.

Time: In 7:42, Out 7:49.

Swimmers: Joan and Paul C

(written by Paul)

The snow arrives - about 2 months too early !

The Steel Woman event

Joan in the sea ...

... Joan still in the sea

 Paul looking for a reason - any reason - not to go in

Sea Swim Fitness is 6 months old - and I am still here !

Swimming in the snow

It doesn't get any better than this. Stones covered in snow, a dull cloudy sky, a gentle east wind and a calm grey-blue sea that invited us all to test our mettle. Even the mighty Joan did not arrive in her usual blue dressing gown - it was going to be a cold one. And it was. After a few minutes trying on our brand new Sea Swim Fitness swim hats, we got down to the rather more serious business of getting into the water. Ollie poured some hot water down the inside of our wetsuits to create a tighter seal, but by this time the snow was beginning to come down, so the heat of the water was all too brief. Joan was first in, but then came bounding out just as quickly. This was not a good omen, what chance us mere mortals? But not to worry, it was just to get some gloves, then straight back in. Sara put her hot water bottle away, I took a few photographs just in case we froze into blocks of ice and somebody happened upon us later in the day. Ollie bounded into the water and headed for France, clearly delirious at the sudden drop in temperature. Sara joined him, and finally after much deliberation, so did I. A quick course correction saw us heading off to the groyne on the west side, before swimming back to our starting point on the east. It was the best we could all do, but it was good to get in and swim. Once out, we chatted aimlessly, drank our tea, got changed and then meandered back up the beach whilst promising each other that we would do it again on Friday - maybe. Water temperature: Brass monkeys. Snowing quite heavily as we left.

Time: In 7:40, Out 7:50.

Swimmers: Ollie, Sara, Joan and Paul C

(written by Paul)

Paul and Sara

Sara and Ollie

Ollie pouring water into Paul's wetsuit

Club hunk Ollie cooling off