Clear and fresh

Blog for Friday 30 March.

Alex and Joan on the beach when Hildi arrived from just a little jog today (in preparation for a final long run on Sunday with Pete). A beautiful calm sea and you could see the bottom. We even swam under water to enjoy the sight of the sun glistening through the surface. Lots of breastroke just to enjoy the peace.

Air temp: 9
Water temp: maybe 8?
In 7:15
Out: 7.33

The return of Ollie

Ollie back from warmer climes but Pete and Joan still leading the charge into the water. Pete having stripped off his wetsuit last November for the winter, now back in it in preparation for the Tri season. Something slightly bizarre about this, Pete!

Paul in and out to sea, Joan and Pete widths, Ollie and Hildi eventually in. Beautiful conditions, improving as the rising sun started to take the chill off and classy breast stroke from a relaxed Alex - now finished his exams.

No cake today. Left the beach uncertain of status of channel swim. Finances being the main issue preventing an early attempt. Paul and Hildi still very keen. Certainly there is a wish to try something further and that it should be iconic.

Swimmers: Joan, Pete, Paul, Hildi, Ollie, Alex
Air temp: 9 with chilly breeze
Water temp: 7-8

Spring (just) dash to Rotters

It seemed a rash idea - to give Hildi's brother, Damian, a bit of early sea swimming practice in advance of his attempt at the X-man in July - but when the day dawned it couldn't have been more perfect conditions. Damian was advised to wear a wetsuit and Pete also chose this option, thinking he might be in the water long enough to risk hypothermia without it, but she and Paul chose to begin their Channel training by going 'naked' i.e. without wetsuits. They did allow themselves to break CSA regulations with their gloves and booties, however, but it is unlikely we will be swimming to France in March.

Jon and the girls were support crew and once they had seen us off were dispatched in the new Mitchell mobile to Rottingdean with bags of dry clothes, tea and hot water bottles.

We were aprehensive on the walk to the beach but the sun lent an air of optimism to the enterprise and reassured the wetsuitless swimmers (a bit). Official photos in front of a few bemused day trippers, then a reminder to Pete to do his wetsuit up (where was Joan when we needed her?!), Damian set his Garmin off and then we were swimming.

Hildi and Paul, anxious not to be in the water any longer than neccessary, led the charge but concern over the potential for cold water related danger meant a few stops and checking in with each other. Starting to feel OK - could this mean the onset of hypothermia? No, it was going OK. Damian, bouyant and slippery as a fish in his wetsuit, slipped past us but without local knowledge, headed us into the first Rottingdean beach. We all landed there but then, once all checked in, headed off for one further swim to the next beach, where Jon was rushing down with the bags - taken by surprise at how quickly we had arrived.

Really surprised at how easy it was. Dressing in the sun a pleasure, not the usual race against time and conditions, but the inevitable shakes reminded us how the sea is still geniuinely cold and that we have been training for this by CWA (cold water acclimatisation) all winter. Hildi covered in tea and lots and lots of laughs.

Scores on the doors:
Damian - an excellent first swim with the group, and showed good potential for the X-man swim section, although how he will fare in choppier conditions remains to be seen. Reassuring for Pete that he also looks less than svelte in his wetsuit Clearly a wetsuit issue not a camera 'fat setting' ;-)
Paul - open water experience showed in the willingness to take on the challenge and in his assessment of the swim as being 'do-able' in comparison with other swims.
Hildi - clearly mental. Happy to take on the mantle of the yellow leader's hat in Ollie's absence.
Pete - has improved much more than he accepts and, when properly motivated, is clearly able to 'swim faster' as commanded by coach Hildi. No more excuses, Pete!
Support crew - good support and encouragement, rather too many photos of stones.

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Two hardy swimmers

Most of us had sicknotes today in one form or another. As I drove past I saw two pink bodies in the water, so guessed they must be Joan and Alex manning up the Friday session.

I have to assume that had a swell time, even at low-tide and both lived to tell the tale. Although at the time of writing I am not sure I have heard from either of this illustrious pair. :)

Swimmers: Alex and Joan
Conditions: Amazingly good for March.

Preparation for Saturday

Conditions unusually good for March. Calm seas with temperatures within range for the seasonal average. The usual suspects, minus their leader who is, by all accounts, doing research in Marrakesh for a future SSF field trip.

Still a little cold to go too far afield, but the widths between the groynes are increasingly as we all gain cold water confidence.

The sun is shining and the air temperature is good, difficult to remember just how tough it was little more than a month ago.

We were all left to ponder whether the trip to Rottingdean on Saturday would be possible given the temperatures. It would mean us all raising our game quite considerably, but it is doable and will be a fantastic achievement for all if we are able to pull it off.


Swimmers: Hildi, Paul C, Joan, Pete
Water Temp: 8C

Alex and Joan kept the SSF flag flying

TUESDAY, 20 MARCH 2012

Alex and Joan kept the SSF flag flying

A cool grey morning as Joan the secret trainer hit the shingle 'Regis style.' A light westerly blew with an outgoing tide. She  completed 16 widths between the groynes as the waters slapped at her ankles tempting her in. Alex was seen trudging down the shingle and settled against the groyne. The water was still high with a fresh and lively chop as Joan made her way in followed by Alex who leisurely recharged and rejuvenated himself from his studies for his forthcoming exams.
We had a hot drink before clambering up the shingle homeward bound.

Air temp a pleasant 9C with a cool wind
Sea Temp approx. 7C
Swimmers: Alex, Joan
Landcrew: none
Cakes: none

Look forward to seeing a few more faces on Wednesday
The water was noticeably less cold today 20 March.

Joan

Who exactly is marathon training?

Pete, Ollie and Hildi marathon training so a pre-swim run along the seafront. Hildi suffering from combination of late night Brighton Swimming Club committee meeting and Sunday's 20 mile training run. Pete off like a rocket now he's over his illness and Ollie kindly hanging back. Quick chat with Paul C on his bike on the way to work.

Arrived at the beach to find Joan doing her running between the groynes (I think it's only me that does 'groins' - what does that say about me?!). Speculation that she is actually engaged in secret training for the marathon and we'll turn up on the day to find her running a 3:30 or something, followed by a swim round the pier!

Alex arrived, full of soothing advice for Hildi's foot pain and Ollie's blisters - Alex, you have the most perfect bedside manner - you will be the best physio! All going well. Until...

Ollie gets an attack of the wimpies! Cold, shivery... mojo disappearing very fast behind the groynes/groins (I don't want to speculate about which is correct here). It's catching!! Hildi and Alex also start to wonder if today is the day they won't make it in. Joan and Pete already in the briny. Pete onto his second width. He's going for 4 - we know it!!!

Alex, that perfect gentleman, starts an uncharaacteristic water splashing fight, but it doesn't fit his personality and he soon stops. We enjoy the water on our aching lower limbs. It actually feels really really good. Then Hildi and Alex start breaststroking and then Ollie is in!! Diving head under. Gasping for air and then swimming.

We enjoy it a little longer. It is, as always, beautiful, amazing and wonderful. We are, as always, slightly amazed that we can do this and that we love it.

Thanks guys for another Wednesday Wonder.

Swimmers: Pete, Joan, Alex, Ollie, Hildi
Runners: Pete, Ollie, Hildi and JOAN
Cake: Alex

Calm and peaceful conditions. Bottom visible during swimming.
About 15-20 minutes in the water.

Ladies' day.... Almost

Ollie working, Alex poorly. It was just Joan and Hildi on the beach at 7. Should we be wearing high heels and fascinators for ladies' day? No, here was Paul C coming over the hill. Tide coming in from a very low position, it was a long walk out. Eventually all deep enough to take the plunge and some swimming was done. All 4 strokes from Hildi, breaststroke from Joan and a goggle less Paul.

About 15 mins swimming time and a low flying cormorant fly past.

Wet and windy Wednesday

A change from recent flat seas with a chill stiff breeze and the white horses out to play. Foam blew off the sea and we struggled for shelter and to keep our belongings from flying away. Pete in without a second glance, Ollie in more cautiously. Alex as always less eager as I suspect the cold makes him more anxious than his swimming experience and skill deserves. Joan playing in the white water shallows. Hildi had to stay clothed as short of time because of picking up daughter Polly from training at Roedean.

I don't know what time the swimmers got out but I know they all got ashore safely as had emails from them later.

Who turned on the cold tap?

We have been more than a little spoilt this past week with unseasonably warm temperatures. But this morning we were greeted with a gentle, but very cool breeze and a sea temperature that had rediscovered its reverse gear. The five of us spent a few moments watching the sun climb through the mist and into the morning sky. The pale watery colours screamed cold and, as is usual for this time of the year, we each silently contemplated what was to come - except for Hildi who didn't do the silent bit :)

We discussed up and coming social events, Channel Relay swims and how we would fund it. Maybe a Jubilee party although we couldn't decide upon the guest list: all of Saltdean or just family and friends? Or perhaps a tug of war on one of the groynes, so that the losers end up in the briney. I would imagine that would have implications for health and safety. Anyway, all these discussions were using up valuable swimming time, so off we went, down to the water's edge, not a wetsuit to be seen anywhere, not for a long time.

Alex recently sent us all a youtube video detailing the pitfalls and joys of cold water swimming which stated that the first minute of submersion is the most problematic for the body. For this reason, I for one adopt a routine that allows me to gently graduate myself into the water. Ollie and Joan clearly have a different technique that has far fewer graduations. Each to his or her own. So, everyone in. Ollie sets off at a rip-roaring pace but was later disqualified by a steward's enquiry for not properly touching the groyne on lap one. Sorry Ollie, but rules is rules :)

Hildi and Ollie completed an impressive four laps between the groynes with Alex and myself opting for just two. I was plagued with leaking goggles throughout and, having neoprene gloves on, I just couldn't remedy, so abandoned the idea of a longer swim. As usual Joan looked on, watching us cold-water wannabees bragging about our first 12 months without a wetsuit - come back when you have done 30 years :)

Back on the beach, teeth chattered and bodies shook as core temperatures found their way back to normal. In the carpark I received an inquiry from someone looking to join our group although he wanted to know whether wetsuits were allowed. I smiled and said they were.

Hildi and Ollie to aim for 6 widths next time out. And a trip to Rottingdean in April maybe?

Time In: 7:20
Time Out: 7:34
Swimmers: Ollie, Hildi, Joan, Alex, Paul C
Conditions: Calm and settled with a chilly breeze.