Sea Swim Fitness: The big 5K

The one we have all been waiting for. A round trip to Ovingdean and back in time for brunch. It was to be the longest swim SSF has embarked on to date.

Those present were organised into four teams: pink, red, yellow and green - denoted by swim hats.

The ladies limbered up, as did the men, many of whom chose to sport industrial strength wetsuits for the occasion. But they need not have worried, the sea temperature was quite mild, and to prove this I chose to swim without a wetsuit.

Conditions were not perfect, some surface chop going on. So once congregated at the first Saltdean buoy we were off. The field quickly spread out into formation with the usual suspects taking up positions in the leading pack whilst the less accomplished among us (me), followed at the back.

Fortunately each group had its own kayak support which was reassuringly given the length of the swim. A couple of pink hats kept me company right up until Ovingdean, at which point I discovered their identity - Sara and Anita.

Up ahead, the leading group (looking like a shoul of mackeral) were jockeying for position, and were soon to pass us as they turned the buoy at Ovingdean on their way back to Saltdean.

We did misjudge things, hoping that we would be swimming on the cusp of the low tide, with slack water on the way and a helpful incoming tide on the way back. It didn't work like that as we were late starting so had a bit of a struggle on the way up, but easier on the way back.

Generally the swim went well, with Anita deciding that she didn't fancy the return leg in view of upcoming competitions and the need to conserve strength, exiting at Rottingdean.

Ollie writes:
Ollie's group (Ollie, Nick and John), set off at a very comfortable pace, a little slow to what I'm used to but I kept holding back thinking I need to conserve energy, it was a marathon today rather than a dash or sprint. that energy conservation proved very valuable later on. We past Rottingdean and paused at the buoy, taking on a gulp of water. Having the kayaks was so good, especially for visibility. Due to the chop and distance I couldn't see the buoys until they were about 100-200m away. The last 500m to Ovingdean seemed really hard. As Paul wrote, the tide had turned and we were swimming against the incomming channel. Reaching the buoy we noticed how the tide was low and the rocks just centimetres away which allowed some indication of speed as they appeared fleetingly through the murky water before disappearing again. The group split on the home leg, Nick edging away purely by maintaining a clean stroke, fitness seemed to kick in here I think and perhaps the lack of poison consumed the night before, something my wingman John had neglected to tell me at the beginning ;-). It felt quicker on the way back, glimpses of the rocks told us that and it was quick to get back level with Rottingdean beach. Meeting at the buoy John claimed to be feeling "a little rough" and the swell and chop probably hadn't helped all that much. The end was in sight at Saltdean, so we sent the Kayak off to the girls at the front to make sure they got home safe and avoided rocks etc on exiting. Somewhere between them and us was Nick, doing a solo swim in effect (later known to be about 150m ahead at that point). We went on, John was tightning up a little, slowing from hiw usual pace. I turned around and saw him emptying the contents of last nights naughtiness into the deep blue, I said to him nice to feed the seagulls....;-D After a little bit of face wiping we made a quick getaway, fearing basking sharks, shoals of fish and the entire population of seagulls would follow us like they do the fishing boats. not having black bin liner flags suspended above us like sea scarecrows, me got a shift on for fear of being eaten. with 200m to go I stretched out a bit and felt the shoulders complaining a little. It was great to finish it and watched John come in nice and steady. We were perfectly matched in pace so he was the perfect buddy. I was greeted on the beach by Tracy taking pics and it suddenly dawned on me I had completed the longest swim I had ever done. Feeling dead proud and hungry to make the Marina and back one day, I sagged on the beach munching John's cookies watching Sara and then Paul come home.
It is a landmark for the club, well done to all those participating. Next big one is Marina and back at the end of the season. Be ready.
.

I am still not certain who won, although I was unable to keep pace with Sara so finished a creditable last. Times below. The kayakers did a sterling job and kept us all safe. Steffan acted as border control liaison when Sara and Anita decided to make a quick - and unscheduled - trip across the channel.

Other than that, all went well. Next stop the Marina.

Teresa: 1:15
Vicky: 1:15
Nick:
Ollie: 1:28:15
John: 1:29:30
Sara:
Anita: DNF
Paul: 1:45:20

and last but not least...a birthday limerick for Stefan, on kayak 2. Happy Birthday old fella!!

There once was a lifeguard named Stefan,
He was a fine figure of a man,
But he kept himself covered up,
he showed no bare chest or butt,
speedo's did not feature in his plan!