Tooting - Cold Water Championships

[Leprechaun]

So what was it really like?

Mercifully the weather was a frosty morning with blue skies and the sun beat us with its winter rays - well better than a smack in the face with a wet cod.

E-fitz (the only one not to have a valid excuse for not competing) called me to confrim he was there and the water was not 4 but 6 degrees..And yet I fought through traffic to be there and register - but no worries about missing the warm up.

There are no dive starts but the starting regime requires you to jump in, steady yourself with both shoulders under water and something (doesnt matter what as you cant feel it) against the start wall. If you are lucky the starter will have you all ready in about ten seconds and then klaxon goes. You dont tend to think about anything other than getting to the other end.

It was superbly organised, safety not forgotten either. Lots of swimmers - many open water - plus several superheroes notably Kevin "King of the Channel" Murphy who swam in the opening celebrity race. It was sobering to see him wipe himself down with nothing bigger than a bar towel and comment that the water was fine....

The attached picture sums it up - the agony of the start. But I hope they will do it next year - and we wlll we there ,if spared, in greater numbers. The only downer of the day was that my beloved "I love the Boss" hat ripped when I pulled it on for the second race. Luckily no part of my body was grabbed or clutched on Saturday as I think it too would have been very perished in those waters!

[Wildswimmer]

I'm green (blue?) with envy. How do you do it?:aarrgghh:

It was bad enough for me in the river yesterday, in water at 7degC, and I was wimping it inside a titanium lined (shorty) wetsuit.

Wildswimmer Pete.

[Leprechaun]

I'm green (blue?) with envy. How do you do it?:aarrgghh:

It was bad enough for me in the river yesterday, in water at 7degC, and I was wimping it inside a titanium lined (shorty) wetsuit.

Wildswimmer Pete.

Remember they were only either 33yd or 66yd (1 or 2 width) races. I suspect you swim a lot further. The mind over matter bit is to get in the water on the day at the start. You dont need much motivation to get to the other end and out once the starter has set you off! And you'd be surprised how many like-minded crazies are out there, still not rounded up and locked away yet.

But you'd better come to the next one and see for yourself.

[adamlelean]

I did find it a little disturbing with all of those people in white coats around. Although I didn't see anyone being taken away.

Next time my coach gets us to swim Number one stroke I feel I can justify swimming old english backstroke. What was it about the backstroke races that scared everyone off, numbers for those events seemed to be about half those for the free and breast.

I too missed the warm-up and therefore wimped out of tumble turning in the freestyle event .
I was disappointed not to see Ivor there, his beard would have provided extra warmth, and I would have thought 1 width races were perfect for someone who doesn't do 100s.

[e-fitz]

. ......What was it about the backstroke races that scared everyone off, numbers for those events seemed to be about half those for the free and breast.

I too missed the warm-up and therefore wimped out of tumble turning in the freestyle event .
I was disappointed not to see Ivor there, his beard would have provided extra warmth, and I would have thought 1 width races were perfect for someone who doesn't do 100s.

I didn't enter either of the backstroke events because I didn't like the idea of waiting, in the water, for the start. So I was really pleased to learn that, for safety reasons, there would be no dive starts........In case the shock caused a heart attack. This was both alarming and, well alarming. We still had to enter the water and submerge our shoulders before the race was started. I suppose it would have been more convenient for the organisers to fish anyone, who did succumb, from the side of the pool rather than 10 yards in.

I'm certain I managed a pb in the first race, breastroke, finishing only 0.5s behind Leppy, our very own Northern Ireland champion in that stroke. There was a huge incentive to finish and exit the pool... The frontcrawl (not freestyle, note) was 60m and everything seemed to pack up approaching the turn, but came back as I started the 2nd width. Honour was restored by beating Leppy, although he swam without goggles.

The event was very well organised - swimmers were marshalled 15 minutes before their allotted race time and starts were punctual - every 3 minutes. No one seemed to want to hang around in the water...and even with water at a 6 degrees, (subsequently reported to be 4 degrees, or about the ideal temperature for a fridge), the meet was hugely enjoyable.

And I can understand Ivor's reluctance - the events were 100s and 200s. Feet that is...

[Haddock]

Was this the meet that was featured on the Richard Hammond 5 O'clock Show on ITV.
I just caught the tail end of it. The lady presenter was in the relay race and went last. Jumped in and was off and passed her team mate coming the other way.
She said it was very cold.

Swimming on ITV!!!!!

[Ivor]

I was disappointed not to see Ivor there, his beard would have provided extra warmth, and I would have thought 1 width races were perfect for someone who doesn't do 100s.

You would not have got me doing it in a million years.

I think 28 degrees is approaching too cold!

However, I have nothing but admiration for you lot and might come along to watch next year. Wearing my coat, scarf and gloves obviously.

[Juicy Lucy]

I have nothing but admiration for you lot and might come along to watch next year. Wearing my coat, scarf and gloves obviously.

I'll join you in watching next year, Ivor. They have my admiration also.

I wouldn't let water that cold get anywhere near me.
UpTheBeavers? No thanks!

Juicy Lucy