Wednesday 30 May

There was a swim this day but I couldn't be there as husband was away for work.

Summer swimmers spotted!

I came out of the tunnel to the sight of Ollie saluting the sun from the westerly groyn. And indeed the sun was out. And summer it was. Not one, but two summer swimmers joined us. Anita! And, bizarrely over on the next beach, a personage who turned out to be the mysterious Tracey Harris. Trace started out for a devil's loop of the buoys, Joan and stefan in for a dip, Hildi, Ollie, Paul and Anita proposing a lap of the buoys the 'correct' way. BUT scuppered by Hildi forgetting her goggles! So, back out while O and A started their lap. Returned to find Paul being filmed by Stefan for the purposes of stroke analysis. Paul still nervous but I persuaded him to swim to the inner westerly buoy and thence on to the outer one. Met Ollie and Anita and swam back together. Then a few more laps of the inner buoys, a chat out by the buoy with Trace, then out and leisurely dressing in the sun before off to work. Joan already left early to catch prawns and mackerel. Thinking of Emma preparing for her big swim. Knock em dead, Em! Later, a text from Anita saying she was still buzzing from the swim, despite her cold arthritic ankles. Guess she'll be back from now on. Swimmers: Joan, Anita, Ollie ( who seems to have found his mojo spurred on by a speedy Anita), Paul, Hildi, Stefan. In 7.15, out 7.50. Conditions: the best start to the day

No Excuses

SSF is morphing.  Two new members and no Ollie or Paul, Joan continues her bid for marathon glory by completing 23 beach laps - not easy on deep pebbles.  As she was doing this, Hildi was doing smooth laps on the undercliffe above in final prep. for Edinburgh.  Pete arriving as these two were finishing off.  Emma and Andy arrived soon after.  Emma in cossie again with just Andy opting for wetsuit security. Arriving just in time for the start was Stefan with (another?) new camera.  With the tide out it was a long walk to the first buoy.  The sand was very squidgy in places but preferable to the assortment of rocks further west.    We all did our own thing, Andy out to the eastern outer buoy and back, Emma frolicking with Joan in the shallows whilst Pete & Hildi went out for a there & back between the outer buoys.

All back to the beach for the great measuring.  Joan dipped the thermometer and LO! 12 degrees!

This data knocks the stuffing out of any more half baked excuses from the tropical brigade.  So come on down for the celebrations on the 3rd.

Swimmers:  Andy, Emma, Joan, Hildi, Pete
Life savers: Strefan
In: 7:10
Out 7:35
Sea : Poached lobster

Friday and Stefan makes a welcome return

Friday. Ollie working, Pete working, Sarah still convalescent (although I hear she is flirting with the sea in the company of Paul W), Joan had given her excuses on Wednesday. It looked like just Hildi and Emma in conditions where the buoys beckoned. Then a late arrival in the shape of Paul C, hooray. And then, what did we spy coming leaping and bounding over the hill?! Stefan! A trip to the bouys would definitely be possible for Emma with lifeguard presence. In the end just Hildi and Emma off to the bouys as Paul didn't have his nose clip. To the bouy and then Hildi have Emma some 'round the bouy' drills. We are in race specific training phase now, after all. Then back in for a half dozen widths and then dressing in the last of the sunshine we were to see that day. Paul is worried we are fragmenting. Where are our Summer swimmers? We need you. The winter has been cold and harsh. Come back! Conditions: like a mill pond but still bollock-curdling cold for the time of year. Although Emma says in a wetsuit it's toasty except for the face.

In which Emma well and truly earns her waterwings

We were promised not just one new member today, but TWO!  Emma, in training for the British Gas open water swim, plus Andy, embarking on a career as a proper triathlete (next step might be to get a bike, Andy?!).  Bit of a mix up over pre-swim run invites and Hildi resting the running muscles after a 2 hour stint on the treadmill yesterday ('Is that all?' she was asked by some masochist), but both new kids present and correct at 7am on the beach.  Veteran Joan ready to supervise Emma's shallow water work, Ollie with coach's hat on to examine Andy's stroke and Hildi, well, what could she do?  In the absence of Alex (work placement), Pete (correctly taking a rest after a 3km swim last night) and Paul (where was Paul?) SOMEONE had to keep company with the buoys (see, I can even spell it now) so she swam out to the first west buoy and then back to join in the enjoyment of the water and the stroke development.

Hildi and Ollie a couple of laps of the widths while the others dressed and started on the flapjacks, and suddenly someone was on the beach waving at us.  It was Paul, come to say hello after an all-nighter at work.  Lovely to see him and good to see him relaxed with no swimming pressure. But the big news - for some reason I didn't follow, Emma needed her wetsuit at lunchtime.  So, what did she do?  Went in without it!  From anxious novice to 'naked' wild swimmer in 1 week!  I don't think this has been beaten by any SSF swimmer.  We may have to instigate a new award.  Will discuss at next committee meeting.

Swimmers: Hildi, Ollie, Joan, Emma (all non-wetsuited), Andy (suited)
Water temperature: 9.5 degrees (still cold for time of year)

Conditions: Gentle swell, high tide, sunny.  Lovely morning, one of those that makes you feel good to be alive.

Sunday Circuits

Three of us today, myself (Paul), Hildi and Alex. A day in stark contrast to Friday. Warm air temps, sea looked calm and green, the buoys in a perfect rectangle. Interestingly, the sea temperature felt colder than Friday, a fact confirmed by another beach swimmer, Judy, who stopped by for a chat.

We all headed out to the first buoy with the intention of completing a circuit or two. I opted to swim back at this point and complete a couple of widths - still not feeling up to it. So Hildi and Alex went on and completed the distance without incident.

It was at this point that I thought I spotted Ollie running along the beach - those shorts and silver hair are known trademarks. But the running turned into a sort of jig, and despite an attempt to get into the water, it didn't happen. So, not Ollie, the chap returned to his position along the sea wall, just a short distance from our belongings. Upon exiting the water our new would-be recruit entertained us with tales of cold water and how to look after ourselves - sage advice - for me at least.

As this was not a school day, we laboured getting dressed and then all sat in a line against the sea wall, drinking tea, eating chocolate, absorbing the Spring rays and talking aimlessly about forthcoming events, monster waves and whether we could make this a regular item on the SSF calender. It should be put to a vote at the next AGM.

Time In: 8:10
Time Out: 8:40
Swimmers: Paul, Alex, Hildi
Conditions: Warm and calm, sea still cold at > 10C

Action shots

Cold, dank and overcast morning. Tide going out, sea rough but swimmable, the buoys beckoned. This morning the swimming cast were myself (Paul), Hildi, new recruit Emma and a welcome return of SSF veteran (Summer Chapter) Sharon who wanted to get to grips with the Spring temperature.

Hildi and myself decided we would try to make it to the first buoy and back again. Quite a tough swim given the conditions of which I had already decided would be too much for me. Yes folks, I am still in search of my swimming mojo, but I thought I would give it a go all the same. Whilst contemplating my route out to sea, we noticed somebody strolling onto the beach with a camera. Would this be a new recruit? It turned out not to be, instead was a chap looking to take some photographs of our folly. So, the four of us headed into the sea to give him a show. I maintained my decision not to take a trip to the buoys, feeling guilty that I had let a lady travel alone. (Mental note to myself - find mojo pronto!). Fortunately Hildi was there and back before I had even navigated the first wave. We bobbed around for a bit, swam a width of two and then headed back in. Sharon and Emma was nearer the shore, both made it into the water so can claim to have made a swim this morning.

Upon exiting the water, our new photographer friend took some more action shots of us all in a variety of different poses and were promised the results sometime soon. Hildi exchanged details, hoping to tempt our new recruit into the water at some future date. There's always room in the sea :)

Time In: 7:15
Time Out: 7:35
Swimmers: Hildi, Paul, Sharon and Emma
Sea Temp: 10C
Air Temp: 13C

Photos from Charlie (Charles Yacoub), now added.  Thanks, Charlie.

The bouys are back in town!!!

Well, it's officially summer! The swim bouys are back all along the coast and we have a new member. See temp about touching double figures, and an excellent early season turn out. Tide a bit low but Hildi, Pete and Paul valiantly tried to complete a lap round the bouys. A bit of paddling and a few grazed knuckles but a 'serious attempt' I believe. Ollie looking after Emma after we'd bamboozled her with a million different ways to put on a wetsuit (I'm standing by my assertion that the stretchy wetsuit dance is actually recommended and modelled by Chrissie Wellington!), Joan splashing and encouraging the new recruit over by the easterly near bouy. Paul seemed a little out of kilter following last week's adventures and Pete at last showing he is human by complaining that Sunday's half ironman had taken its toll. Maybe this is the one week of the year Hildi could rule the seas! I'm sure the crown will be whisked away all too soon by the tropical water specialists ;-) Swimmers: Ollie (head coach), Hildi (deep water leader and navigator), Paul, Pete, Joan and Emma (suited) Swim time: 27 mins Conditions: cold for the time of year, just a little swell, milky

St Joan the Evangelist

A short run from Ollie and Joan her now customary beach widths, but Hildi choosing a lie in after a heavy swim week (when I'm in the sea I can't comprehend how it's possible to cope with the boredom of 4km in a pool, but the temperature isn't quite forgiving enough yet to do this in the sea, as we found out on Wednesday). Arrived at the beach to find Joan in conversation with Emma, a prospective new girl who wants practice in advance of her British Gas mile swim at the end of May. Very exciting to have new blood and someone to introduce to the pleasures that await in the world of open water swimming. Hope she will indeed be there next Wednesday. Then into the water for a few widths. Ollie bemoaning his lack of swim fitness but I will not allow him that after his sterling debut marathon attempt last month! Maybe after I manage my sub 4 30 at Edinburgh but not until! A new thermometer registered 9, going on 10. Wednesday's readings apparently due to a slipped gauge, not Hildi and Pete's ineptitude (well not entirely). Hope to see Emma and maybe Sharon and Theresa (plus sarah??) next week. It is still cold but really really lovely. And we miss you all!

Cramp

The challenge was on. Swim to Rottingdean and back - Channel Swimming rules (ie. no wetsuit). And in the month of May, records were there to be broken. Conditions were perfect, a good air temperature and sea not far behind. No wind, tide in, millpond conditions. What could go wrong?

I arrived early with the intention of running widths with Joan in order to warm up for this epic swim. Glancing west I could see Pete and Hildi running towards us along the undercliff. It was all coming togethger nicely.

The first sign of problems, for me, was during the running. My legs felt very heavy and tired, and I completed only 6 widths. Joan completed an amazing 12. Soon we were joined by Hildi and Pete and we all prepared for the business of serious swimming.

There was a distinct chill in the early morning air, not that much, but discernible all the same. Hildi took the first sea temperature reading, which came out as 12C. Seemed a little on the high side to me. Pete decided to have a go, he came back with 17 - what fahrenheit? Also, there was no clear indication where Pete had taken the reading from.....

Joan first in, Pete quickly followed and provided the first manual temperature reading by declaring that the bit he was standing in was noticeably colder than the bit he had taken the temperature from. Next in was myself quickly followed by an enthusiastic Hildi. I stood in the water up to my waist, stretching my arms, and realised that this was not going to be my day. My legs still felt very heavy, and a lack of sleep was beginning to tell. (See Paul Cockburn Book of Excuses Volume 35 Part B, Section 278).

Hildi, unusually, was very quick into the water, and began swimming out to position herself for an assault on Rottingdean. I gingerly followed, still feeling very sluggish and hoping that I would shake off these aches and pains.

Hildi led the way and I followed. To begin with we had to swim out quite a way in order to round the pile of rocks just beyond the first groyne. So far, so good although Hildi was starting to get away from me and heading further out to sea.

We made good progress, although I mentally decided that I would head to the far beach and then turn back, and not push on to Rottingdean. Alex had previously stated that we probably had 30 minutes in the water although a trip to Rotters and back was likely to be in the region of 45 - so we were risking the cold by doing so.

I continued to follow although the more I did so the more my legs felt like lead, becoming more useless as I progressed. Before long I began to struggle and unfortunately succumbed to that awful dread feeling when your body does not respond correctly and you find yourself in deep water with no respite. But even so, it made more sense to me to carry on as I was, at this point, in the no man's land between Saltdean and Rottingdean. With the tide in, there was no way to get out.

And then the sharp cramping pains began in my thighs. I tried to shake them off, but they just kept coming. I assumed it was cramp and not the attentions of sharks. Not only did this make it difficult to swim, it also made it impossible to tread water. I would have to abandon the trip so looked for my options. There was a staircase carved into the sea wall which was probably possible given that there were no waves. Problem was, getting there.

I looked around and could see that Hildi and I had become seperated although she was looking in my general direction shouting a request for confirmation. The hand signal for my predicament is supposed to be an arm extended into the air, but I could not do that either. WIthout further debate I dragged myself in, legs now useless.

Once near the sea wall, I calmed down. Hildi was swimming quickly towards me, When she reached me I explained the problem and we agreed that it would be a good idea to head back home. Or maybe just continue to the far beach. I wasn't really sure what I would do but chose to follow Hildi back, drafting at her suggestion. Same problems for me on the return leg and I did think about getting out sooner when we reached the first beach, but I held on to the end with Hildi's encouragement.

Pete and Joan completed their swims without any real incident, although Pete also confirmed he had suffered cramp in his calf muscles. We were in the water 29 minutes, so the day was not a total loss. Legs muscle so sore afterwards that I unusually opted to get the bus to work rather than cycle. Moral of the story, if it doesn't feel right, don't do it.

Another day at SSF. Going to take a few days off to rest up. See you next Wednesday.