Swimming day 421 -Monday 13th February 2012

A cold and gloomy winters start to the week. No rain or wind, which was a blessing, but just 1 degree and dampness in the air with a slight haze.  The sea however was very flat and calm, which if this had been the summer would have been a perfect sea to swim to the west pier and back, or twice around pier or even the marina and back.  As it was, being the winter still, it meant about 10 minutes only.

I was at the arch by 7.00am and Dr Mark was already coming out from his swim.  Pretty soon (but not pretty) I was joined by Little Bob, Big Bob, Mike and Lindy (she’s pretty of course!).  We headed straight in (mid tide so not too shallow) and Big Bob and I headed over to the donut groin and then turned back to the pier; making it only back to mid beach before we had enough.  It was the lowest temperature so far for over a year; just 4 degrees – once it goes under 4 degrees then it is officially freezing and certificate worthy!!  It was so cold that as soon as we started swimming I felt physically sick from the cold on my neck; it didn’t last long, but long enough to be unpleasant.  Apparently at the weekend one of the members brought their daughter with them (grown up, not a kid) and she was only in a a minute or two, but coming out had to be helped up the beach as she couldn’t walk.  It shows that you have to be so careful in these temperatures and that even though we can do 10-15 minutes most people can’t.  Saying that, James & Shoichi (two of my relay team) swam around the pier on Saturday, taking 20 minutes.  I don’t know if they are brave or just plain daft!