Sea Swimming Blog #24

Day 63 Sea Swimming.

#24 of the blog.

Apparently today was Blue Monday… “a Monday that is depressing or trying especially because of the return to work and routine after a weekend”… but I’ve no time for that today.

After dropping my daughter off at school I headed to St Aubin to meet up with the Bathing Beau and Bluebells for the regular 9am swim.

When the tides are high on or around this time, St Aubin is a perfect place for a dip - that’s why I visit it so regularly (on a low tide it’s a bit of a nightmare as the tidal movement is huge with Jersey having one of the largest tidal ranges in the world - the island nearly doubles in size on a low so the walk in/out is a bit grim especially if it’s windy and/or raining).

I arrived a little early so again had time to take a few photos before anyone else got there.

Not wanting to shoot the exact same image of the fort every time, I had a wander around the back of the Yacht Club and snapped a few of the coastline, some pebbles and shells and then some of the driftwood and rusted steps with the fort blurred out in the background but still recognisably St Aubin.

As people began to arrive I almost put the camera away to concentrate on the swim but then thought there’s always the chance of a couple of nice ones which I think I managed to get… I hope the team don’t end up getting too fed up of me snapping away every time we meet up! It was worth it just to get Leila’s new coat and hat combo as well as Jenny’s favourite blue movie - ‘Finding Nemo’.

With a few photos in the bag, I put the camera back in the bag, got changed and got in… the water was a little choppy but having the English Channel swim on my mind, I committed to swimming out to Wilson then onto Gracie - I’m guessing that the total distance (there and back) must be between 200 and 500 metres but until I get a watch I won’t know for sure.

It’s quite a swim.. especially in those conditions.

It’s not one I’d do if I was all by myself and not one I’d attempt if the sea state was much worse, but with the eyes of the team not too far away, and with my bright yellow inflatable making me stand out against the grey/green seas I was confident that I could make it there and back without getting into trouble.

The sea is the boss so I hope it goes without saying that you are at it’s mercy and must make sensible decisions rather than putting yourself, your fellow swimmers or the emergency services at risk.

Risk assessment dealt with, I swam at a reasonable pace… not so fast that I would tire myself out and lose control of my breathing, but methodical and measured… recalling the words of the great endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh who states that plodders cross the English Channel not sprinters. I don’t think I was ever called a plodder back in my pool days so this is something I’m having to adjust and rewire in my mind and body.

“There will be obstacles.

There will be doubters.

There will be mistakes.

But with hard work,

There are no limits”

- Michael Phelps