Reference point 26-09-12

Wind & rain lashing the bedroom window at 3am, 4am and still at 5am.  What happened to Yahoo?
Yahoo always gives good weather - thunderstorms were mentioned but not the wind.  Sara rang with apologies sometime around 6am but high hopes were held for the other SSFrs.

Going through the tunnel, Pete was greeted by the depressing but impressive view of  full screen white water with howling gale to back it up.

Disappointment was compounded upon arrival at the beach to find no-one else there.  Hoping for a bit of rough & tumble with Alex or at least a paddle with Joan, Pete was all alone and had to make do with a bit of beachcombing and tidying up.

So, at least we now have a reference point - when it's like this, we don't go in OK?

Swimmers: - None
Beachcombers: Pete
Sea conditions - Blimey

SSF Sunrise Handicap Chase

Well done to all swimmers and helpers.  The Sunrise Handicap Chase was definitely in need of a sunrise as we gathered on a cold beach with packed bags harbouring goodies.

Firstly, a big thank you to Teresa for organising and both teresa and Sara for providing the prizes.

Quietly eyeing up the field, people went about their business, some opting for the 30 sec penalty from wearing a wetsuit, as we attempted the race briefing.  In the end Teresa took control and gave a route.  Leave from the start line mid-beach, out to pike, lost bouy, on to a misplaced devils elbow, back to shoulder, then turn sharp left and a trip round pike before rounding off the swim with a final kick to shore.  The time was now, handicap times expertly calculated and a starting order ably assembled by the official timekeeper Barry.

Countdown to start suddenly upon us, Emma first to go, 3, 2, 1...GO!!!!  With cheers and whooping she dashed in to the crashing waves whilst the others swung arms, jumped on the spot and tried to keep warm.  Conditions were 'excitable' perhaps favouring the brave a little.  Next off was Pete who hurtled down the beach like a march hare, with a target in Emma to chase.  With Emma already half way to pike Sara set off, the long distance water weasel, going short course for a change, no doubt the course wouldn't be long enough for her.  Another 30 seconds later, the hoff ran down the beach and got a bit whacked by a wave but soon got on his way.  The four in there keeping a nice line as Emma rounded Pike.

sharon next, 3 mins down with a spot-prize-winning gentle tip-toe across the pebbles and entry into the water.  Another 30 secs go by and ollie and Alex go off together, hitting the waters edge together.  another minute behind, Teresa would go, but I was focussed on trying to gain a slim advantage on Alex and catching the next swimmer. 

I can only do the race report from my viewpoint, but as I rounded Pike I saw some splashing up ahead.  I had gained on Sharon and as we passed the lost buoy I was alongside the wetsuitless Dave.  Looking over my shoulder Sharon and Alex were very close behind.  Reaching the far turning point at the elbow I met Pete, well into his stroke and gliding nicely.  So the group was tightly packed at the half way stage with Sara and Emma sill some distance ahead.  Sighting the shoulder was a challenge in the big waves that carried us back to shore.  Had to start lengthening the stroke as the arms were beginning to tighten.  Then Teresa went past, flew past!, on her way to a victory surely.  I went round shoulder and turned left towards pike.  Noticing emma going back to shoulder, I assumed she had taken a wrong turn (!) and was going back to avoid a DQ - good sport!  I knew teresa was ahead of me and Sara, could I catch sara?  I kicked at Pike still seeing Alex just over my shoulder.  I managed to drop him but Sara was too quick.  I saw the buoys on the beach with two swimmers sat down beside them.  The waves weren't so bad on exit and I ran up the beach to take third finisher.  turned around to watch a thrilling finale.  Alex over the line next, then Sharon came in with an ironman crawl and roll over the line stopping the watch.  Next to come in were Emma, Dave and Pete.  emma having caught Dave and expertly drafted him all the way in using the tow to finish before Pete.  What a race, with Teresa successfully defending her title, one to watch next year!

Usual afters took place, everyone tucking into cake whilst Sharon and Sara went for another swim - see I told you she would.  Lovely morning.

Official Handicap chase results (including handicap and 30 sec wetsuit penalty:

. Teresa (wetsuit): 9:47          1st Female

2. Ollie: 11:22                         1st male

3. Alex: 11:55                          2nd male

4. Sara (wetsuit): 13:10           2nd Female

5. Sharon (wetsuit): 13:49        3rd Female

6. Dave: 14:49                         3rd male

7. Pete (wetsuit): 17:24

7. Emma: 17:33

race positions (order out of the water):

1. Teresa

2. Sara

3. Ollie

4. alex

5. Sharon

6. Dave

7. Emma

8. Pete

actual time elapsed for each swim from starting gun:

1. Teresa (wetsuit): 13:47

2. Sara (wetsuit): 14:40

3. Ollie: 14:52

4. Alex: 15:25

5. Sharon (wetsuit): 16:19

6. Dave: 17:19

7. Emma: 17:33

8. Pete (wetsuit): 17:54

spot Prizes:

champion Timekeeper: Barry

Longest swim: Emma

Most entertaining entry and finshing chute: Sharon

Last man out:  Pete

4 bithrday celebration

On a strange day where all the wednesday crew announced they  were unable to make the Friday we had reports coming through that 4 people did gather on Friday 31st August - and they were all celebrating birthdays!!  Not a limerick in sight, oh thsi has been a tough year.

I understand Emma, Alex, Anita and Sharon went for a swim and all congratulated each other on being another year on the planet!  with cake of course.

Friends

Writing this a long time after I intended to, it is going to be tainted by subsequent events.

The sort of sea that looks flattish but we now know isn't going to be.  The lost buoy had re positioned itself into the centre so there was a proposal for a PB attempt of a circuit of the buoys but Ollie suggested some alternate speed/easy sections between the buoys, 'Use what you've got', he said - or, as Hildi called it, 'Swimmer's fartlek'.

Ollie, Alex and Sarah all in - Hildi taking longer as been wimping out in warmer climes - but it was 17.5 or 18 degrees so not cold.  Out to the buoys for the speed work and practice with waves.  Then we spotted Mr Chapman (really sorry but his name has escaped me) getting in in his wetsuit so we headed in for some widths and to support/coach him.  Joan on an appreciated life guard duty.

Lots of fun really and about 45 mins swimming.

While I was swimming, I was thinking - why did we all come in to be with Andy (that's it - knew I'd remember!)?  Because sea swimmers, and to a certain extent, triathletes, know we rely on each other.  Later that morning - while I was still draining sea water out of my ears and before I'd got properly dressed - I got the call every spouse of a cyclist dreads - my husband had been hit by a car.

Horrible day but he's going to be OK eventually and everyone has rallied round.  Those times when you help someone else out by staying with them in the rough water, or you do their wetsuit up, or you lifeguard for them or you show them a new bike route, all those things, all those times you are a friend - they come back to you.

Hildi

Jon Mitchell we love you

All of us at Sea Swim Fitness are/were very sad to hear that Jon Mitchell was involved in a bike accident this week where he was in a collision with a car on the university campus.  We send him our love and well wishes for a good recovery, and also wish those close to him in the supporting role all our best.

we love you guys, stay strong.

Your average swim

Rather an average swim today, perhaps most interestingly is tha tI have written a blog, following a rather long absence from the pen.  I arrived at the beach having met new-comer Andy at the tunnel.  We saw Joan and Sara jogging up the beach making it look all too easy.  After intros were done with andy we prepared for a gentle swim , Sara in warm down mode from the  Brownsea island adventure, Andy trying out his open water stroke and ollie feeling rather tired.  Joan guarded the shallows ably.  A trip round the buoys the captain's way, rather than the devils, with a couple of other widths thrown in.  Nothing too taxing or stressful.  finishing up at the starter buoy we met Stefan out for his walk, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he was belly button deep.  but there we are, all of us rather a mad bunch doing our thing, and doing it well it has to be said.  finished up with sweet tart on the beach that had a crunchy bottom.  Well it was funny at the time. ;-)
see you soon folks!

In which Hildi finds her mojo

Wed August 8th. Lovely April weather again. Luckily the sea temperature is starting to be summery and in fact felt very warm to Hildi, just returned from Swimtrek in the Lake District. She and Paul both donned their 'yellow group' hats in solidarity (Paul having done a Swimtrek trip last year).

Gathering under the shelter of the cafe, the usual suspects plus Domino (needing some cold water on his legs after allegedly beating Paul W at the TT last night - he's going to have to grow some new sideburns, you know), and missing Pete.

Joan and Paul C stuck to widths while the others opted for a couple of devil's laps and, I believe, what us known as the devil's horseshoe. Hildi asked for a head start but in the end didn't need it, and it was a companionable swim stopping only every other buoy for a chat.

Hildi forgot the banana muffins she'd made but waxed lyrical about the joys of hot ribena and there was some exchange of garden produce.

Swimmers: Hildi, Sara, Joan, Paul, Ollie, Alex
Paddlers: Domino
Conditions: drizzly and misty.  Needed fog lights in the sea. Highish tide on way out. Just a little bit bouncy. Warm.