You really going in Joan?

What a morning! Wind and rain and Spring strangely absent. Just the four of us today, don't really blame the others. We all stood around talking about marathons and the cake after the swim, but strangely no mention of the conditions. By the way the other three were standing, I had the idea they had all been out for their swim with no need for me to do my duty. I queried this with Joan, but realised I had been mistaken. The others were in fact mostly undressed but holding their coats around them waiting for the signal to get going. So off we went, Chairman Ollie leading the charge and sounding the war cry. The rain was lashing down, stinging against my body as I headed down the steps. There must have been people watching, cars driving by, buses full of passengers (sorry customers), whatever would they think of this tomfoolery? I would never know. The sea really looked foreboding, the only positive was that the tide was mostly out so it would be less of a problem. One of those mornings where you really just want to get into the water and the shoulders under, on the basis that it would mean getting out of the wind. A bit like getting into a hot bath on a cold day in winter, except less heat involved. We all tried hard to swim, Pete perhaps making the best serious attempt. Impossible to really do widths, although we all tried as best we could. After about 10 minutes of this we all got out and headed up to the promenade where we were a little more sheltered from the rain. Marathon runners showed off their medals and next year the whole Winter SSF chapter will be entering the Brighton Marathon. Another swim completed, SSF marches on.

Swimmers: Pete, Ollie, Joan and Paul
Time In: 7:12
Time Out: 7:25
Conditions: Strong 30mph wind, heavy rain. Temperatures still a little cold.
Sea Temp: 9-10C

Friday, life's a picnic

Blog for Friday 20 April

How nice to have a lie in and a bit of a rest. This post marathon lark is lovely. Arrived at the beach to find Joan already training for next year perhaps? Only Hildi and Joan but in the distance we could see ollie's car... Hildi slipped the yellow hat of leadership back into her bag. As a hoodied figure got out of the car we could see it was encumbered by a small child, picnic blanket and bucket and spade. Ollie had brought penny (birthday girl - 3 tomorrow) to play.

So Hildi and Joan swum, penny ate breakfast, and Ollie took

photos. 

Sea was gentle but not still, tide mid, water definitely warmer.

We still haven't had a marathon finishers photo call so perhaps next Wednesday.

Swimmers: Joan and Hildi
Spectators: penny and Ollie

Pics to follow

Sunday morning hijinks

Four of us met up on Saltdean beach for a less usual Sunday swim. A little difficult to know what the sea had in store for us, the wind was getting up and the tide, whilst out, was coming in quickly. Being Sunday we were not all in the usual hurry so could afford to take our time, so once changed we headed off to the far side of the beach where a father and his young daughter were standing, obviously come to watch the Sunday morning crazies do their stuff.

Pete was first in followed by Alex, Paul and finally Hildi. One of those mornings where it was difficult to get into the water, particularly as the incoming waves were always threatening to overwhelm us, and still being sub-10 degrees the task was made ever more difficult. Eventually we all congregated a short way out where the waves were less imposing.

Hildi suggested widths so we all set off towards the west groyne although were quickly greeted by a current that made progress difficult. Alex and Hildi headed out futher, Pete was nearer the shore and I swam through the middle. Hildi and Alex completed the width first followed by myself and Pete. The trip back to the east groyne was incredibly quick, a clear indication of just how strong the tide was. Again, we all met up as a group and bobbed around in the swell. Another couple of widths and we would be done.

On this third width I did begin to get a little concerned with the conditions, the current was getting very strong and the swell was growing in size. I am always mindful of being dragged too close to the groynes, and coupled with the rolling sea I was beginning to feel we should head in a little. But Hildi and Alex decided to go out yet further and beckoned for me to follow them. And this I did do. Pete had the correct idea and stayed nearer to the shore. We headed back to the east side once again, very easy to do, just having to avoid over-shooting the finish line.

At this time we had all been in the water for about 20 minutes, which was long enough, so time to head back in. Much more difficult to do, the tide had come in considerably and the wind was increasing the size of the waves. But the four of us did get back to the shore and completed another swim.

Swimmers: Paul, Hildi, Pete and Alex
Time In: 8:40
Time Out: 9:05
Sea Temp: 9.5

It's a wild one!

It started with a trickle, at 9.00 last night there was a single apology from Ollie claiming "pressure of work", next up was Hildi claiming that she needed "canoodling time" with her husband. By 10.12 it was Paul, strangely worried about the gale force winds which had been forecast.  The floodgates finally opening fully with Alex implausibly on "work experience".
Pete had already stated that he fancied "off roading" in the surf but Joan's email was unusually quiet on the matter.

Walking down the tunnel, Pete was greeted by howling wind and a vision of very white water.  He contemplated braking the rules and going solo.
However, Joan's reliability should not have been doubt when the two joined forces after her 23rd width of the beach.  Come on Joan - entries are now open for the 2013 Brighton Marathon.

The sea at the SSSF beach was monumental and so we adjourned to the "reserve beach" where Pete had got a bit carried away in December.  Situation there was a bit calmer but the steeply shelving shingle was a menace.  Joan went for exfoliation in the surf whilst Pete tried once or twice to swim, got tumbled and thought better of it.  The two settling for seated shot blasting.

Not so much of a swim but as we SSSFers like to call it, "keeping contact with the water"

Frolickers:  Joan, Pete

In - about 7:10
Out - about 7: 17

Sea temperature: - couldn't stay in one place long enough to measure.

Sea conditions : Blimey

Abandoned - on Friday the 13th

Paul's words ring true, the gathering was sparse indeed.
Alex, Joan and Pete assembled on the beach, Joan running widths as always and Alex with his picnic rug laid out ready for a feast. Just as we lost hope of others, Ollie arrived with an infant in tow.  Some people will stoop to using members of their own family to escape a chilling dip.

Family Armfield then laid out not one but two rugs and sat back to watch the fun.  Sadly Hildi also had childcare issues in spite of managing to deposit one in Malta, she was left looking after Elsie, shame, we could easily have set up a creche on the beach - or they could have amused themselves while we all swam, after all what harm.....?

 Pete - already wet suited (yes Paul) was in first and prepared for some serious widths.  Pete was joined promptly as usual by Joan but  noted that he was well into width 3 before Alex had finished playing uncle and decided that he couldn't put it off any longer. Having done a long one the previous day, we can perhaps overlook the fact that he only appeared to be in for 5 minutes!

Pete was on width 6 (had to be even - can only see the shore when traversing East to West) when he realised that he was all alone and that the others were even now enjoying cups of tea.  Undeterred, he pushed on to make the first "width kilo" of the season - please note in club records.

The others had the decency to wait for long enough to check that Pete had not drowned but scarpered soon after, leaving him to enjoy sausage fingers and recalcitrant socks all alone.

In  - Pete 7:10  Joan  7:12  Alex 7:20

Out - Alex 7:27  Joan  7: 28  Pete 7: 37

Sea Temp - 9.5 degrees

Conditions - Half tide coming in, lovely and flat, no wind, smashing low sun

A serious attempt at swimming

Now look people, there appears to be some confusion of late as to what does, and does not, constitute "a serious attempt at swimming" as evidenced by today's shambles.

To recap: enter the water, shoulders under and face in. Then, swim out of one's depth (feet not touching the bottom) followed by a minimum of two widths, although this distance can be reduced depending on temperature and sea conditions.

Furthermore, patrons of SSF are strongly encouraged to avoid wetsuits, drysuits, gorilla suits, tri-suits and inflatable devices during the swim season: 1st April and 31st October.

The awards currently available:

Platinum (Hons) Award - 60 consecutive non-wetsuited months
Platinum Award - swim to Rottingdean, non-wetsuited, through 12 consecutive months
Gold (Hons) Award - TBA
Gold Award - swim 12 consecutive months without a wetsuit (including snow)
Silver Award - 12 consecutive months without a wetsuit
Bronze Award - Tombstoning from the groyne
Brass Award - 1 circuit of the buoys
Big Girls Blouse Award (for Men) - Persistent use of the duvet or wetsuit or non-swimming once in the water
I can't do that, I might break a nail Award (for Women) - Persistent use of the wetsuit during August

So today, we almost had a full winter complement - except Pete. The air felt heavy, wind not as bad as it has been. Squally showers. Tide more out than in. Ollie summed it up by commenting that this was going to be a "strange one". And indeed it was. The five of us got ourselves into the water to about waist height, but that seemed to be as far as we progressed as the group began its annual conference. Ollie then informed us all that he felt he deserved a Gold Award for not wearing any gloves through the winter.... I then swam out to deeper waters, at least that is what I let the others think as they came swimming towards me. Actually I was still able to stand, so I was just a little bit suspicious that they were pretending to swim with arms flailing and legs walking. Gold award, tsk!!!

Hildi and I set off to the groyne on the west side before turning around and heading for home. Ollie and Alex were already a long time out of the water and up under the promenade, clearing concerned about all that rain that wasn't falling. I don't know what's happening, in the old days SSF used to be a group for champions. Where have they gone?

Time In: 7:10
Time Out: 7:20 to 7:26
Swimmers: Paul, Ollie, Alex, Hildi, Joan
Conditions: Showers, overcast, changeable

A guest appearance by David Walliams

In a change to published listings, SSF convened - for the first time - on a Tuesday morning. Whilst sunnier than yesterday, sea conditions were not a whole lot different. Low tide and strong waves together with a stiff inshore wind. It was going to be a cold one.

Just the three of us today, myself, Pete and a guest appearance from David Walliams who seems to have lost a fair bit of weight since his last trip down the Thames. Pete is first in, demonstrating fearless self-abandon as he heads towards the deeper water. Myself and .. er, Hildi folllowed him in, with me wondering whether going into the water was actually mandatory given that it was a non-sanctioned swim day. Well, in we did go, although the trip across the sand was anything but easy, with Hildi stumbling upon every outcrop of rock in her zig-zagging path. Where is Joan? She is always good at navigating a safe path through the minefield. Perhaps Joan didn't get the e-mail? Anyway, back to reality, we all three are eventually in and under the water. Hildi instructs us all to put "your faces in" which kinda reminded me of some of my earliest swimming lessons at school... A strong current heading east, which suggests the tide was on the way back in. Good to know. I do like these conditions, as I feel the playing field is levelled and I am less likely to be shamed by the Hildi Exocet leaving me floundering in her wake. So I headed West into the current - it was bloody hard work, but not impossible, eventually reaching the far groyne with Hildi close on my shoulder. The swim back was a lot quicker, but just as the sun was coming up and blazing harsh white light onto the grey seas before us, we were presented with a vision. Yes people - a vision. Pete had risen up and was now walking on the water!! He looked angelic, albeit an angel with a wetsuit striking the pose of a male ballerina, or something similar, his silhouette was giving nothing away. Well, that stopped us in our tracks before we realised he had probably located one of those earlier rocky outcrops we were previously snared by. Still, it looked impressive and would have made for a great Kodak moment.

We swam bad to the east groyne, the current threatening to take us a lot further, so with this we decided to call it a morning. Water temperature reasonably good, cannot be too much longer before the tropical specialists return to the fold. Hildi has been admirably donning the coveted yellow swim hat for the past couple of weeks, will our leader return tomorrow? Will Tuesday become a regular date for SSF? Tune in tomorrow for these answers and many more.

Time In: 7:12
Time Out: 7:26
Swimmers: Hildi (David W), Pete, Paul
Sea Temp: 9ish.
Air Temp: Coldish

Blog for Friday 6 April

Pete here for a rare Friday swim (it being Easter hols), but no Ollie due to family engagements. Pete again opted for the wetsuit option with Joan, Alex and Hildi in costumes. Tide a bit further out and the sea less lumpy than the weather forecast had promised but perfectly lovely for swimming. On swimming Eastwards the sun was visible glistening on the bottom, with dancing shadows of rippling water. Very beautiful.

A seasonal offering of simnel cake from
Joan for the holiday weekend.

Temperature taken at 8 degrees. It's definitely warming up in there. Saltdean to and back beckons very soon.

Beautiful morning - how can we tempt you?

Blog for Wed 4th April

Down to the old faithful again sans Ollie as Joan, Alex, Paul & Hildi were joined by a tardy Pete who complained of "Adlington Abs" - sustained whilst trying to emulate the great swimmer. Consequently, in too much pain for a stretch in the water.

Joan in at 7.17 followed rapidly by the others who proceeded to swim widths of "our pool". The tide being perfect allowing the gryones to frame our little swimming area with perfectly calm and crystal water. Pete risked joining the swimmers by taking some aerial shots from the slippery West Groyne but unfortunately missed Alex doing one of the first dives of the year. Impressive stuff. Hildi tried to join in the fun but thought better of it as the waters rushing over the rough concrete threatened extreme exfoliation. Paul was content to swim widths (not lengths!) whilst Joan happily warmed down after her earlier marathon training between the gryones.

Pete resolved to join in the fun on Fri - abs or no abs.

In 7:17

Out: 7:35

Water temp: 8 ish

Perfectly flat & clear, no wind