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Swimming

2008

Due to injury (stress fracture) I've come out of 'retirement' for 3 sea swims - St Aubins Fort/Castle/Green Island - which are all within 1 month (handy no need to train over long period!!)

Sunday 13th July 2008 - Castle Swim -

The second swim in the 'series' - castle to harbour - was, after the 1st swim, a fairly 'plain' affair. No marker buoys, no swimming round forts, just a straight point to point.

1515hr start, warm day 17'ish nice and sunny, sea temp 16c, no swell, just the normal 'sea furniture' which hurts if you hit it or them!

I start well down the castle breakwater, the furthest point possible. Its less crowded, just us experienced guys heading for the harbour. Not bad, not sure how I'll feel, done some training but nothing great. It feels ok so go with it. 1 object 'missed' and a strong 'run' push's me right, not good. I'm not the only one, a couple of other guys mention this afterwards. Personally I've never experienced that 'push' before.

Anyway through the pier heads and onto the 'straight' run for home (1500m total). It really is straight, I take the centre line, others 'hug' the right hand side. A couple on my left, can I get to them, no, any reason, no I'm not competing just doing it. Anyway pop up 'D' pontoon and head for the finish line. Bob D is just in front of me (he kicked my butt @ St Aubins) a bit of revenge.

Time - 24.27.......Place 11th

2 down 1 to go...........03rd August Green Island>Havre de Pas.

Thursday July 03 2008 - St Aubins Fort -

First time this swim has been undertaken, and albeit with a couple of problems a great little swim. Its really minor things but I feel that they must be addressed for next year race.

Anyway the swim, 1900hrs start, 15c sea temp (felt colder), some sun, some cloud (made no difference). Race briefing (85 competitors) 3 turn points, 2 really hard to see (1 problem), and boats to negotiate!! 2200m approx in length (34.16 finishing time 12th place -male). Gun goes, I'm hidden away right at the end of the line, I'm not fit (swim fit) so why put myself in the way? 1st marker is easy, got a boat moored on it! 2nd ain't so easy, and its a 'long way'. The markers called the 'cigarette' and with the sight swell its not so easy to find. Combined with the fact that it has no 'marker' behind it (open skys) you spent the majority of the time trying to spot it! Canoeist's were at hand but not in the right places. Lesson's learnt, hopefully.

It seemed to go on for ages, getting no where, but then you get that feeling when you don't know where or how far you have to go! Eventually I reach the marker, turn left then left again, aim for the rear of the fort. The main tower of the fort is all I could go by. Let that stay to my left till i find the end of the fort. I spot the white ending, aim for that, missing a 'BIG HEAD' of rock which appears out of no where in the swell! Again no canoeist's to 'move you round' the head.

At the beginning of the race I walked down the slipway to try and mark the finish line. Directly above is the dropping sun, thats my target.

I turn left at the end of the fort and head for the sun. Visability is none, in fact less that none. With have moored boats and moving boats to contend with! Not very safe, but I head on. Even right up to the end 5m from the finish line, I still couldn't see the line. I stop to raise my goggles and I finally see the end.

Straight up and out, warm clothing me thinks! Well I would have made a great cocktail waiter for a few minutes at least. A warm drink is required followed by a nice walk back home (1 hour along the front).

All done, enjoyed it? I suppose, after warming up, and the next one? 13th July Castle Swim. Keep training!!

2007

Complete rest year.......................

2006

Tuesday 11th July 2006, Green Island > Havre des Pas Pool;

Interesting is the word I'd use for this event, water temp 16.1c, air temp 17c 'ish, wind F3 W, which made for some nice swell, which also caught out a few people, including me!

Some 70 punters entered the event and the water @ 1910hrs, a 'dash' from the sea wall and into the swell, this is the first bit that caught us out. A good 4ft swell over the rocks meet us on the way out, this lead to visability problems, unable to spot the turn buoy didn't help. Anyway found it and turned, only to find more swell, this is going to be 'fun'. The water temp seemed to be OK, albeit warm'ish one minute then cold'ish the next. The next part of the swim really didn't change, head for the tower, if you can still see it!! 3/4'ers done water temp starts to get a little chilly, strange really as I'm not that far away from the shoreline. Anyway the know the rules, you can see the finish line but can't get there, the legs started to get cold, 400m to go, not see anyone else, mind you, never really see many on these swims. Eventually the finishing line/wall appears, me out of water pretty dam quick!! time to get changed and dry. Time? 40min 17secs......Uuummm, now that seems a little slow, can I put it down to the sea state? me no think so. It looks like I have some work to do in the pool. Ok though, a wake up call just at the right time..placing? 8th overall, 2nd Vet 40-49 group, seems good but the time isn't.