and so the normal format ensued this morning with a blitz to Rottingdean on the Wednesday and laps of the buoys on the Friday. Most people race now at weekends so its a chance to take an easy swim and keep things ticking over. In the water today doing laps of the three outer buoys were Dave, Hildi, Anita, Ollie, and Sara, with Joan and Steffan opting out of laps. Joined also by our man on the ground Domino.
By the time we got out to the furtherst buoy we realised there was quite a current from the west, so the first lap was like a dream, we roared off. Ollie in his wetsuit today with Anita and Dave with Hildi and Sara opting for just he cossie.
It was a hard effort all the way back from the most easterly buoy to the most westerly and so on the second lap we went the other way around and used the middle to break up the journey. it was a bit like swimming the shaped of a bow (as in Robin Hood) as the three buoys where out of line.
After two laps we had really all ground to a halt and headed in to relax and prepare for the weekends swims, only to later find out they would both (pier to pier and Brighton Aquathlon) be cancelled due to adverse weather.
In: 7:13
Out 8:00
Friday, 15 July 2011
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
All Aboard the Train to Rottingdean
A lovely morning spent at the beach today. For me (Ollie) it started with a high tempo 2.5k run to rottingdean and back to check out the course for the days swim and prepare for Sunday's Aquathlon on Hove beach. I made it back to the carpark to be greeted by Pete and Hildi pulling in and working out what to wear for the swim which I announced was rottingdean and back.
We headed to the beach and with Hildi opting for the non wetsuit option in prep for the pier to pier on Saturday we guestimated times and conditions. On the beach we were joined by Theresa - welcome! - for the first time who quickly got ready. Joan arrived with Sara and Domino and after all ready, we headed to the shore. I half had in mind a mass beach start that didn't really catch on but nevermind. It was interrupted somewhat by Paul's late arrival and Steffan's fully clothed arrival so we just agreed to meet about 100m out.
Steffan joined us clothed in the sea opting to get some life saving fitness in, and Pauls late arrival meant he would decide to do a couple of laps of Saltdean buoys as he had missed the express train to Rottingdean. Joan and Steffan also stayed at Saltdean to enjoy the 17 deg water. On board the train to rotters was Theresa who really has a very good stroke. Little or no drag, and a big catch, I want to see it close up if I can stay level for a few more strokes next time! - perhaps I need to ditch the baggy board shorts for something a little more figure hugging.
Other passengers on the train were me, hildi, Pete and Sara in that order as we rolled on to rotters. through some rather stubborn current towards the last 300m we finally made the buoy at rottingdean. theresa had stopped her watch on 20 mins, me about 5 mins behind. We waited at the buoy for Hildi but turned to see we had drifted 20m from the buoy which confirmed the hard effort and the chance to nick a good time on the return leg. After picking our sighting spots (the large crane at Telscombe water works) we watched as Pete and Sara had taken a wide loop to rottingdeean, perhaps wanting to get in some extra distance (rather than going of course I'm sure). Sara fessed up to chasing a shoal of whitebait as she got back to her water weasel roots. so on we went, for me I put in a relaxed 1st half and then went for it in the last 500m trying to hold on to the stroke as fatigue set in. Trying to keep the core rolling, head tucked in, arms pushing all the way back to the thighs with the triceps starting to really complain as I rounded the final groyne and hit the beach. theresa was already getting dressed up the beach and hildi about 150m behind me. We ate delicious brownies on the beach as Pete and then Sara came in and all agreed it was a jolly good swim. theresa confirmed she was back in 16 mins so that would be a 36 min 2.5km which is great to see.
Further chat about upcomming events mainly Pete's Alp d'huez on Wed 27th july. It sounds like a tough one, we are all rooting for him.
ooh...and I forgot mention, very clear waters - we could see the sea bed all the way there and back even at 200m out, it was perfect!
so a little bit of everything today, until friday
In 7:10
Out 8:00
swimmers: Joan, Steffan, Paul C, Sara, Pete, hildi, Ollie, Theresa
non swimmers: domino
We headed to the beach and with Hildi opting for the non wetsuit option in prep for the pier to pier on Saturday we guestimated times and conditions. On the beach we were joined by Theresa - welcome! - for the first time who quickly got ready. Joan arrived with Sara and Domino and after all ready, we headed to the shore. I half had in mind a mass beach start that didn't really catch on but nevermind. It was interrupted somewhat by Paul's late arrival and Steffan's fully clothed arrival so we just agreed to meet about 100m out.
Steffan joined us clothed in the sea opting to get some life saving fitness in, and Pauls late arrival meant he would decide to do a couple of laps of Saltdean buoys as he had missed the express train to Rottingdean. Joan and Steffan also stayed at Saltdean to enjoy the 17 deg water. On board the train to rotters was Theresa who really has a very good stroke. Little or no drag, and a big catch, I want to see it close up if I can stay level for a few more strokes next time! - perhaps I need to ditch the baggy board shorts for something a little more figure hugging.
Other passengers on the train were me, hildi, Pete and Sara in that order as we rolled on to rotters. through some rather stubborn current towards the last 300m we finally made the buoy at rottingdean. theresa had stopped her watch on 20 mins, me about 5 mins behind. We waited at the buoy for Hildi but turned to see we had drifted 20m from the buoy which confirmed the hard effort and the chance to nick a good time on the return leg. After picking our sighting spots (the large crane at Telscombe water works) we watched as Pete and Sara had taken a wide loop to rottingdeean, perhaps wanting to get in some extra distance (rather than going of course I'm sure). Sara fessed up to chasing a shoal of whitebait as she got back to her water weasel roots. so on we went, for me I put in a relaxed 1st half and then went for it in the last 500m trying to hold on to the stroke as fatigue set in. Trying to keep the core rolling, head tucked in, arms pushing all the way back to the thighs with the triceps starting to really complain as I rounded the final groyne and hit the beach. theresa was already getting dressed up the beach and hildi about 150m behind me. We ate delicious brownies on the beach as Pete and then Sara came in and all agreed it was a jolly good swim. theresa confirmed she was back in 16 mins so that would be a 36 min 2.5km which is great to see.
Further chat about upcomming events mainly Pete's Alp d'huez on Wed 27th july. It sounds like a tough one, we are all rooting for him.
ooh...and I forgot mention, very clear waters - we could see the sea bed all the way there and back even at 200m out, it was perfect!
so a little bit of everything today, until friday
In 7:10
Out 8:00
swimmers: Joan, Steffan, Paul C, Sara, Pete, hildi, Ollie, Theresa
non swimmers: domino
Friday, 8 July 2011
Don't mess with the skipper's daughter
Hildi arrived for a pre-swim run along the front to test her tri-suit and get her legs in gear for Newhaven Tri on Sunday to find Dave, Sara AND DOMINO - bag-carrier and supporter extraordinaire - plus CAKE already present! Going through the wind tunnel that some know as the subway, it was clear that the sea would be in a mood to take no prisoners and that anyone braving it would deserve said cake.
Soon joined by Joan and Paul who advised Ollie was doing something involving child-care. After zipping Dave into his wetsuit, we headed over the seaweed dumped on the westerly beach by the sea, and Paul plunged in. He avoided the waves with his trade-mark method of ducking beneath the wall of white-water (which we were to learn later characterises a wave known as 'the skipper's daughter') and Hildi decided to wait for two even larger waves to finish before she tried to follow him. Unfortunately these waves were followed by even bigger ones and by the time everyone was at the water's edge, it looked like only an idiot would go in. So we watched Paul enjoying himself. ;-)
Jealously we played in the waves until Paul was ready to get out. Sara sustained some grazing from being dashed against the pebbles and Dave's goggles were dislodged. Hildi and Joan just frolicking in the surf. Ollie turned up with Penny wrapped in a blanket to enjoy the spectacle and to agree that these were far from ideal swimming conditions - so we felt vindicated.
We stood by ready to grab Paul when he was dashed against the ground but he got out with relative ease and some poise - well done, Paul.
Back up the beach for a little jog for Hildi and some of Sara's home-made berry cake. The breakfast of kings - delicious despite Sara's attempts to sell it short. Protecting our eyes from the glare on Domino's white legs we tried to engage Penny in conversation (she was probably thinking what nutters were were but enjoying the cake).
In - Paul
Out - Ollie and Penny
Inbetweeners - Hildi, Sara, Joan and Dave
Temperature - wetsuits definately optional
Bit lumpy for some
Wed 6 July
Hildi, Ollie, Paul, Joan wetsuitless. Sara looking after herself in neoprene, accompanied by Pete. Water very warm. Someone even said, 'Like a bath'. A little bit lumpier than had been the previous few days so lengths between the inner buoys instead of anything further afield (it doesn't take much for us to have to play 'hunt the third buoy'), and Hildi's friend Teresa decided not to join us for her maiden SSF swim. Ollie very much back in the driving seat re the sessions and we practised turning (both ways) round buoys and sprinting.
Lovely lovely swim.
In and out - no idea
Water Temp - 'Like a bath'
Friday, 1 July 2011
Water temperature sheer joy!
A beautiful morning, blue skies and calm seas. An incoming tide and a little 'nip' in the air saw Hildi Sara Dave and Joan meet on the beach. Sara having done the forestman with Hildi recently and the Rottingdean on Wednesday, did not feel up to another Rottingdean return today and neither did Hildi. All four made their way out to the first buoy to the east and Hildi Dave and Sara swam clockwise around the four buoys. Sara decided on a gentle swim thereafter while Dave and Hildi completed another circuit of the buoys. We all enjoyed the morning and the swim. It was a super fresh start to the day as we promised to meet again on Wednesday with Sara tempting us with home made goodies. Anita, Sara's home made pies and cakes are much more enticing tha a duvet! See you on Wednesday!
In 0710
Out 0745
Sara Hildi Joan wet suit less and Dave sleeveless wetsuit
Water temp sheer joy!
In 0710
Out 0745
Sara Hildi Joan wet suit less and Dave sleeveless wetsuit
Water temp sheer joy!
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
First dash to Rotters
Lovely to make the first journey back to Rottingdean. Sara Paul and Ollie went there and back with Sara roughly timing a 28 mins there and 23 back with a slight current giving us a push. We all had to dash off this morning and started a bit late, so Joan had already left the beach after her dip when we rounded the final groyne and beached in front of the cafe. Well most of us. Paul beached at the wrong beach, clearly the excitment of getting to Rottingdean left him slightly delirious :-)
On the way there I rounded the buoy first which had bobbed in and out of view over the waves and headed diagonally to meet sara who was about 50m behind. We chatted for a moment and both carried on our way. I was looking out for Paul but hadn't spotted him until one point when he must have been only 3m away as we passed by. I shouted out but he was ploughing on and the ear plugs and concentration must have silenced my calls. Feeling a little tired by the end showing that we are out of practice at this distance in the sea, approx 2.5 km, but compared to last year, we are swimming much further now than this time last year. Bravo!
no cakes, no croissants, just a hurried change and off to work. w eall felt like we had done a workout which was another perfect start to the day.
rottingdean will now no doubt be a regular destination in the coming weeks.
On the way there I rounded the buoy first which had bobbed in and out of view over the waves and headed diagonally to meet sara who was about 50m behind. We chatted for a moment and both carried on our way. I was looking out for Paul but hadn't spotted him until one point when he must have been only 3m away as we passed by. I shouted out but he was ploughing on and the ear plugs and concentration must have silenced my calls. Feeling a little tired by the end showing that we are out of practice at this distance in the sea, approx 2.5 km, but compared to last year, we are swimming much further now than this time last year. Bravo!
no cakes, no croissants, just a hurried change and off to work. w eall felt like we had done a workout which was another perfect start to the day.
rottingdean will now no doubt be a regular destination in the coming weeks.
Friday, 24 June 2011
The Chicken Whisperer
Decent enough morning, although sea still slow to warm this year. We swam an anti-clockwise circuit of the buoys, although Ollie swam two. The tide was coming in, and together with a westerly wind made for quite a choppy surface. With the sun coming up, the trek down the back-strait was quite challenging. Ollie and Mike swam together, I followed Sara, hoping that she knew the way to the corner buoy. I recall it just suddenly reared up in front of me like a big black egg!
Back on the beach, Joan treated us to apricot croissants. I could quite get used to this. Wonderful stuff. Meanwhile, Ollie gave us a demonstration as to how he would be able to hypnotise Sara's unruly chickens should their behaviour not improve. Intriguing. This will have to be tried later in the year.
I believe a Forestman event was upcoming for the weekend for Sara and Hildi, so best of luck with that.
Time In: 7:11
Time Out: 7:37
Swimmers: Joan, Sara, Ollie, Mike, Paul
Air Temp: 17C
Sea Temp: 15.5C
Back on the beach, Joan treated us to apricot croissants. I could quite get used to this. Wonderful stuff. Meanwhile, Ollie gave us a demonstration as to how he would be able to hypnotise Sara's unruly chickens should their behaviour not improve. Intriguing. This will have to be tried later in the year.
I believe a Forestman event was upcoming for the weekend for Sara and Hildi, so best of luck with that.
Time In: 7:11
Time Out: 7:37
Swimmers: Joan, Sara, Ollie, Mike, Paul
Air Temp: 17C
Sea Temp: 15.5C
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