In which the second tropical water specialist makes an appearance!

With the Swashbuckler Middle Distance Triathlon on Sunday, albeit with the prospect of a cancelled or shortened swim due to cold, Sharon decided it was time to get her wetsuit wet.  There was originally a lot of interest in being there for this rare sighting, but maybe it was the effects of last night's 'Deans Factor' semi-finals, or maybe more family related issues which kept people away, and in the event only Hildi and Sharon swam, although Ollie must have sniffed out the cake and came down to say hello.

Sharon a little nervous, so we stuck to widths, even though the buoys have been returned to their rightful formation following Pete's call to the council last week.  Apparently they assured him they would be resited once the swimming season started and could not be prevailed upon to engage in Pete's discussion about what constitutes a swimming season.

Warmed up in the sun with chilli chocolate cupcakes.

Shadows & Misplaced Buoys

This Wednesday saw possibly the largest gathering his year of Saltdean SSF.There were even shadows on the beach as we assembled and changed. It would seem that the tide has finally turned.  We listened to Sara's account of the Dorney 10k swim - really well done for that, but  it must be remembered that this is only a prelude to her Bridge-Bridge swim - 14k in all! 

Alison was making her first appearance this year after the New Year's day swim but chose to land crew and took photos with her new camera.

The tide was already low and the water still receding so we thought that we ought to get in.

Pete still favouring the security of the wetsuit until such time that his hand is once more behaving itself, the others in standard SF kit, as au naturel as the council might allow.  Stefan made a welcome appearance, he reassured us by coming out with us until we reached swimming depth.

Whilst Joan basked in the shallows, enjoying the refreshing English Channel after the awful heat of the Indian Ocean, Ollie & Pete struck out for the first buoy, soon to be joined by Hildi & Alex.  It was so good to be all out together again and all agreed that the experience had been much missed so when Ollie suggested the furthest buoy, all were up for it.

The buoys are still not right and swimming to them after the stability of the past couple of years is odd - it puts us out of kilter.  If they are not moved back soon, we shall have to rename them.  Today, we swam to the former "Pike" and thence to the "Lost Buoy"

As we returned to Pike, we heard girlish shouts from the east, reminding us that Sara & Emma had not joined us and were just "hangin'", Sara enjoying a bit of  post race relaxation and Emma tapering for the Arun.

All reassembled on the beach for cupcakes (thanks Hildi), chat and tea.  The sun had by now climbed in the sky and all agreed that at last May had truly arrived - let's make the most of the remaining three days!

Swimmers: Joan, Alex, Sara, Hildi, Emma, Ollie, Pete
Land crew: Alison
Life saving duties: Stefan
Air temp: 12 degrees
Sea temp: 10 degrees (estimate)

In: 7.10
Out 7.30
Sea: Out there!

First Trip to the Buoys

Alex, Hildi and Ollie ventured out to the first buoy.  Seemed a lot further out when we got there than it looked from shore, so came back in early.  Good decision as the journey back was longer!

Wednesday first shift

Hildi arrived first, shortly followed by Judy, who had a quick dip.  The others seemed to be late (although Hildi had an innaccurate watch sourced from the bottom of Polly's swimming bag as hers was broken) and she was half expecting to join Judy.  But then Emma and then Alex came over the pebbles.  A highish tide (on the turn we think) allowed for widths which were mainly breastroke as the sea seemed chilly to begin with.  Alex and Emma got out to join Ollie for a chat while Hildi put in a few more widths, making 20 minutes in total.  Not cold once swimming, but a mild dose of the shakes a bit later.  Recovered core temperature before break time, so the sea is definately warming up.

We'ed in it to make it warmer for second shift as I know Jon doesn't like the cold.

Swimmers: Hildi, Emma, Alex (all non-wetsuited)
Spectators: Ollie
Temperature: probably 9?
Conditions: Calm, high tide

Ollie will be there on Friday for first attempt on the buoys with Hildi

Hot Beaching

It's all starting to happen now.

The early shift comprising Emma, Alex & Hildi hit the beach at 7.00.  Jon & Pete raced down to a barely cooled beach to start the second shift.

The weather is improving, sea temp rocketing and Jon has squeezed into his wetsuit.

Jon is taking Pete's place at the Arun swim and after too many months black lining, he saw the need to leave the tepid chlorine and hit real water.

Conditions as last Saturday were perfect, a high and lazy tide greeted us and with no wind, these were bathtub conditions (not even ice bath).

After borrowing gloves and fretting about imagined cold, Jon took the plunge, a bit of anxious shallow breathing ensued but that quickly calmed and we set off for a first width.  Jon rapidly demonstrating that taking Pete's place on the Arun was wise since Pete's left arm was still not really doing anything constructive, just whirling round in order to keep the right hand company.  Still, at least this time, anticlockwise circles were avoided.

After a return trip, Jon announced that it was enough for a start whilst Pete took in a further brace of widths, finishing with a much looked forward to dive off the groyne - only in mid-flight did it occur to him that it might not be the best thing to put a recovering appendage through.

Both back dry and warm on the beach, Pete declared that he was seriously overdressing - still really in February mode.  Not too long before the wetsuit is retained soley for reservoirs and competitions.

Swimmers: Jon & Pete
Time in: 9.50
Time out:  10.10
Sea temp:  No Joan so guessing 10 degrees
Air temp 11 degrees
Sea: Bathtub

Lost Buoys & Baby Steps

The arrangement was timely, Emma & Richard trying out their wetsuits, an invitation to Pete to step back into the water was too good to pass up.  On the morning, the weather was co-operative with a lovely calm, mid-tide, the sun poking through shallow clouds and no wind.

The buoys had been out for a couple of weeks but were clearly still to find their summer formation, there were buoys in all the wrong places.  A call to the Council is in order.

Pete, in a wetsuit for the first time since.... well last September actually, took about 10 minutes to one-handedly coax the reluctant neoprene over an unfamiliar body.  But it was done and then out  into the welcoming waves.  The shock on the hands for Emma & Pete was immediate and precipitated a dash back to force on a pair of gloves.  Richard seemed quite happy with the arrangement

Gloved and booted, Emma & Pete went straight for a full stroke and got for their trouble a full ice-cream head.  Emma muttering that it had got colder again. We put that all behind us and settled down to the task of swimming widths.  Pete was pleased with the anaesthetising  effect of the cold water on his gammy hand although this was short lived and after one width, reverted to one handed swimming in large anticlockwise circles.

Emma & Richard plugged on, Richard pleased with his progress and Emma now quietly confident about the impending Arun swim. Out on the beach, the lack of wind and an emboldened sun made for some lovely and unexpected basking. It was good to be back!

 All in all a satisfactory outing for all concerned.

Swimmers:  Richard, Emma, Pete
Time in: 8.45
Time out:  9.00
Sea temp: Colder than of late - approx 8 degrees
Air temp: 12 degrees
Conditions: Cold bath, millpond

A Nostalgic Swim

Hildi, Alex and Ollie all joined this Winter's regular, Emma, for a Good Friday swim.  No Joan, so no beach hut.  We convened on the 'usual' or, 'Summer' beach.  Tide very very low and plenty of fisher-folk digging for bait.  Bitterly cold.  This is how we used to do it: changing on the beach under a flurry of snow (YES!, SNOW!).  Not even a Winter yoda in those days.  Alex and Ollie took their time getting under.  Motivated by the need to 'attempt a proper swim' in order to count a March swim, Ollie eventually joined Emma in some breaststroke (I think he may still have been wearing his woolly hat).  Hildi face in for some crawl and then Alex also under the water. So cold that our legs were numb and our shoulders hurt.  But then, on the way out, Hildi and Emma reluctant to leave the water for the wind-chill of the beach, some running and then the euphoria.

Changing was tricky with frozen hands.  Hildi opted for the 'get naked and cuddle a hot water bottle on bare skin under the yoda' technique.  Others slightly more decorous.  Chocolate cake with golden dust and sharing of hot drinks to warm up.

A little planning for the Saltman on May Day weekend and then off to enjoy this holiday weekend.  Lovely to see the boys again.  Hopefully all back together under the sun soon.

Swimmers: Alex, Emma, Hildi, Ollie

Conditions: Steel grey still and eerie.  Lowest of low tides.  Bitterly cold.  Snow. Gold awards all round.