Bournemouth Pier to Pier

[Spidey]

Hi, I am about to enter my first Open Water Swim - My Indoor time for a 1500m Free is around 21 mins, this is 1.4 miles, how long do you think it will take me, and what hints and tips are there so complete it successfully.

Hearts First Swim - Bournemouth Pier to Pier 2006
Sunday, 23 July 2006

http://bhf.org.uk/eventfinder/moreinfo.aspx?EventID=1274

Swimmers should report to the swim officials at Bournemouth Pier from 10:00 onwards. There will be a Lifeguards Safety Briefing at 11:50 & swimmers can then set off at 12:00 & swim almost 1.4 miles between the two piers. Bournemouth Lifeguards will supervise all swimmers from the sea & the shore.
A free hot drink & medal is provided at the end for all swimmers.
The entry fee includes a free BHF swim cap which MUST BE WORN for the duration of the swim.
Please remember that this is an opportunity to raise crucial funds for the BHF & as such we invite all participants to raise sponsorship. Your entry fee covers organisational costs, but it is the sponsorship you gain that saves lives.
Please contact us on freephone 0800 652 5818 if you have any queries

[400IMer]

Hi spidey

Some tips that helped me when I swam OW:

1. Walk the course and look out for landmarks. I haven't done the bournemouth swim but the name would suggest it runs parallel to the shore.
2. Use vaseline around any areas that may rub - usually around the shoulders and between the legs (doesn't need to be much). Put suncream on first! If you stop by a petrol station pick up some plastic gloves or ask the lifeguuards at your pool very nicely.
3. If you've not done an open water swim before be careful at the start - lots of arms and legs going everywhere. Stay calm and sus out a good place in the pack, but don't go at their pace.
4. The rules say that swimmers are not allowed to slipstream (swim behind another swimmer to gain an advantage) but would recommend that for your first couple of open water swims you try and stay with someone you know is about your speed (if possible).
5. Flip flops. An essential tool on that trip into and out of the water. Those stones hurt! If you are going down with someone not swimming (recommended) get them to carry the flip flops back and also to welcome you with a warm fluffy towel when you get out.
6. Take you own food and WARM (not hot) drink. It's good to see they provide one but nothing like your own flavour cuppa. Also food is important, the taste of salt water is disgusting (i think anyway) so some strong tasting food - my fav was a bar of Dairy Milk (though i'm sure there are other more nutritious things you could eat).
7. Your pool time doesn't always correlate with the sea time due to conditions being different every time you swim. In open water swimming the times are not so important - its out and out racing!

Good luck with your swim and let us know how you got on!!!

[e-fitz]

Hi, I am about to enter my first Open Water Swim - My Indoor time for a 1500m Free is around 21 mins, this is 1.4 miles, how long do you think it will take me, and what hints and tips are there so complete it successfully.



Hi Spidey. I have entered this swim a few times and it is one of the best - nice sandy beach. Tips from 400IMer are absolutely right - plenty of vaseline under the armpits to stop chaffing...

You swim at a similar rate to me, at least over 200 and 400m, so about 25 - 30 minutes max, depending on your position, relative to other swimmers and crucially, the shore. The race is tide assisted, so the further out you swim, the faster you will be, over the ground. The piers are big and easy to see, unlike Portsmouth where the route goes round a headland. Aim for the end of the pier until about 400m and then turn in.

The race is a fun race, so the rules are pretty lax - no one gets dq'd and certainly not for drafting. In any case, you will be amongst the first home.

I would be swimming it this year, only will be doing the Lee swim in Cork along with Leppy and maybe a few others. If you enjoy it, the Portsmouth pier to pier in September is good, and the water a little warmer....

[Spidey]

400IMer and e-fitz

Thank you both very much.

Certainly go to Boots to get some vaseline, do any of you shave under your armpits for this?

Is there a rule about the type of trunks I wear, can I use my leggins?

[Leprechaun]

400IMer and e-fitz

Thank you both very much.

Certainly go to Boots to get some vaseline, do any of you shave under your armpits for this?

Is there a rule about the type of trunks I wear, can I use my leggins?

Breakfast time here in Korea - hoping that the increasing excitement over North Korea's missile progamme doesnt affect Thursdays return flight.

Anyway, to the point - you'll be fine - its not that far - will be all over before you can even think about the fussing. Might get round to using vaseline some day but as e-F says this is just a fun swim and you will be one of the quicker ones.

Leggings are probably Ok in the rules, but your lary, bright ones might need you to pre warn Trinity House in case they think one of their buoys has broken loose.

Just to keep the right side of the sea gods, I didnt fancy the little bits of squid at the big dinner here last night - and, before anyone asks, it wasnt a dogs dinner either

[e-fitz]

.... do any of you shave under your armpits for this?

Is there a rule about the type of trunks I wear, can I use my leggins?

Spidey - I don't know whether shaving your armpit will help - maybe sting a little with the salt water, but waht do I know? :rolleyes: However, I think it essential to shave your chin because of the abrasive effect as chin and shoulder meet. The swim style is slightly different, especially if there is any sort of chop, generally at Bournemouth there are long rolling waves but you will be swimming along them rather than across them. Again, swim about 200 - 300m off shore and the effect is less noticeable.

You will be fine with your "leggins" - and given that the average age of Bournemouth residents is 102.33, they may even see you....

[Immy]

....and given that the average age of Bournemouth residents is 102.33, they may even see you....


:aarrgghh: cheeky beggar!!

Bournemouth resident, age 49 and a half!

[taxi service]

:aarrgghh: cheeky beggar!!

Bournemouth resident, age 49 and a half!
That makes the other two 128.5 and 129 by my reckoning...

[Pandi]

That makes the other two 128.5 and 129 by my reckoning...
And there was me thinking IMMY didn't look a day over 50.:)
Good luck SPIDEY It's all in a good cause.

[Dunc]

Immy, are you sure that you're not Willy Van Rysel (and you are 90 this year)?

[ruthcp]

Hi spidey

Some tips that helped me when I swam OW:

1. Walk the course

Blimey, I thought it was only L4 who could walk on water! :king:

[Spidey]

Got my T shirt and sponsorship form now - no excuses. I will post the link and ask for sponsors soon. Happy Times.

[Spidey]

Got my T shirt and sponsorship form now - no excuses. I will post the link and ask for sponsors soon. Happy Times.
Hi,
Spidey here. I thought you might be interested to learn that I am doing this event for the British Heart Foundation, and I'm looking for more sponsors.
I have a page at http://www.bhf.org.uk/sponsor/terrywright/ where you can sponsor me.

Good to see e-fitz and Leppy last night all suited up, and not for a sea swim either.

[Spidey]

Well, I did it, along with some 800 others. Raised £409.60, so thank you to those that sponsored me (NVF and FB included). The water temperature was stated as 18 degress. Quite a few swimmers had already started before the Mayor had even got to the microphone and I got in far to far to the right (swim was right to left) to be anywhere near the front. I over took loads and (regretting what I am about to say) quite enjoyed it. I did not see anyone go past me and I have not a clue my exact time or position, roughly 30 minutes. I did wear the yellow and black leggings and was suprised by how many were wearing wet suits. Will I do it next year?, sorry what was that... sorry I have to finish there, some one at the door.

[e-fitz]

Well done Spidey!! Can we look forward to seeing you at the Portsmouth pier to pier? - the start is more organised, they count you in to the water and then start you behind a line, and the water is a bit warmer in September....

[NotVeryFast]

was suprised by how many were wearing wet suits.
This is the sort of thing that puzzles me about these swims. As we're members of the ASA, we're only allowed to take part in ASA sanctioned swimming events, otherwise in theory we could be suspended from the ASA and no longer allowed to compete in ASA events. So presumably these open water swims are all ASA sanctioned, or ASA swimmers would be unable to participate? Anyway, if they're ASA sanctioned events held under FINA rules, surely wet suits wouldn't be permitted under FINA rule OWS 6.9?

For Masters Open Water Swimming, the rules explicitly permit the wearing of wet suits (FINA rule MOWS 7), but says that the swimmer then becomes ineligible for trophies or championship honours.

[Leprechaun]

This is the sort of thing that puzzles me about these swims. As we're members of the ASA, we're only allowed to take part in ASA sanctioned swimming events, otherwise in theory we could be suspended from the ASA and no longer allowed to compete in ASA events.

Oh come on chaps! Live and let wear/dont wear wetsuits as you see fit!

As I await imminent expulsion from ASA for participating an amazing open water event over the weekend I have been looking on the ASA website for rules....

actually I havent. I have been looking at flight details for next year. Perhaps I go to all the wrong events but funny enough I find lots of people who enjoy the participation and effort. If someone really wants to wear their wetsuit then fine. We know who's toughest anyway!

[NotVeryFast]

As I await imminent expulsion from ASA for participating an amazing open water event over the weekend I have been looking on the ASA website for rules....

actually I havent.
So is it the case that in practice, nobody worries about ASA swimmers taking part in non-ASA events? It's just that I know some of these events are proper ASA events, such as the Brighton pier to pier swim, so I was genuinely curious as to whether this is universal or not.

Anyway, I thought you'd be pleased that I'm actually contemplating the subject of open water swimming ;) What got me started was another Masters swimmer at my club trying to get me to do the Brighton one this year - he won that race several times when he was younger. I see that quite a few of my indoor swimming rivals did the Brighton race, I might have been more tempted to take part if I'd known who else would be doing it.

[steve mac]

New to this forum so hi to all :wave:

Spidey I saw you at the finish that makes sense now I did think the leggings were a bit strange, good time by the way I clocked in at 34:51 and I think you were in front of me.

Anyway to the point do any you have any info on the Portsmouth pier to pier now I have tasted it sea swimming I fancy another go at, I am a triathlete from Coventry Tri (land locked) but due to bad knees am concentrating more on swimming now. I am moving down to mid Sussex soon so is there any good events around that area.


Steve mac

[clairembs]

Hi, I also swam at Bournemouth on Sunday and would love to do a few more swims this summer - when is the portsmouth swim - do you know what the website is?

:wave:

[e-fitz]

Details of Portsmouth pier to pier can be found here:
http://www.pnsc.org.uk/6/

The course takes you round a headland so you can't see the finish from the start, and it is a great swim....

[e-fitz]

....oh, and you have to be ASA registered and there is a limit of 80 competitors. Closing date is 25th August, swim is on Sunday 10th September....

[Leprechaun]

So is it the case that in practice, nobody worries about ASA swimmers taking part in non-ASA events? ...Anyway, I thought you'd be pleased that I'm actually contemplating the subject of open water swimming ;) I might have been more tempted to take part if I'd known who else would be doing it.

Sorry NVF, it was a very sensible question!
On days like this you wonder why anyone would want to train in an indoor chlorinated pool, let alone spend a whole day there for competitions. I am having to seriously motivate myself to get in for 50 and 100m swims. So are a number of others that I train with.

The two I am doing are:

Portsmouth is http://www.pnsc.org.uk
Isle of Wight is email to Jenny Ball: jenballswim21874@aol.com

We need a moderator to maintain a schedule - not just the "Formal" ones which are legit ASA ones, but all the local and fun ones. Day at the seaside, a race and a run on the funfair after...marvellous

See you there!

[steve mac]

Typical I am already booked to do the Vitruvian Triathlon ½ IM the day before.
I will keep my eye on this though and maybe next time.

[Spidey]

My mention of wet suits was not meant to sound like I was complaining, I was sure that they all knew that perhaps the water was cold or something like that.

Steve Mac - how did you know your time, were you wearing a watch, or was there a clock at the end, I'd be keen to know how I did.

E-fitz and 400IMer, thank you for the tips - they really helped.

What - apart from the temperature - is the water like at Portsmouth? Would the swimmers be the only floaters?

[steve mac]

Yea had a watch on, I started in the middle and didnt hear the starter so a slow start.

[Spidey]

Yea had a watch on, I started in the middle and didnt hear the starter so a slow start.
As you can see, lots had started before I got wet.

[Leprechaun]

As you can see, lots had started before I got wet.

Come on man - you have to get in a bit quicker than that! Looks like you are out collecting cockles. Getting in earlier means the chance to gain some advantage by dazzling them with the yellow and black specials. You would have been in trouble in Cork - the monster mullet (fish not haircuts) might have regarded you as a large wasp.

I'm sure, if you are a decent freestyler (as you most certainly are) then its best to be at the front not struggling (as I do) in the wake of eg e-fitz et al

[Monkey_Boy]

Spidey, By the looks of that picture I was about 100m ahead of you! Not that it helped as I was dead slow. From where I was standing you could not hear what was being said so as soon as the life guard stopped speaking the people in the water started. As for the wetsuits, it was a fun swim and technically not a race so I guess anything goes...that's why they don't have a clock (my guess is it keeps the insurance company happy),

[Spidey]

I was not worried about others having wet suits at all. There was a kind of safety announcement, and then as the mike was handed to the Mayor, the swimmers in front of me just went for it. There were a fair number well into the water anyway, before that. It was my first one and I was so polite. I swam out as far as I could then headed left, this got me past loads and loads of others. What about Portsmouth, who is doing it? and what is the water condition like?

[e-fitz]

I plan to do Portsmouth (strictly Southsea) on 10th September - I expect the Leprechaun will also be there to try and drown me at the start, like last year... Water quality is fairly good, they have done a lot to clean up the Solent in recent years. It ought to be a bit warmer than Bournemouth but can be quite rough if there is a Southerly breeze and there are plenty of yachts out.

It is a proper race, though, with a marshalled start and timekeepers and everything. And the course bends around a headland which adds some interest, and a little jostling at the turn.

But it is totally different from the cross Menai pier to pier race this Saturday, kayaks and shipping channels - anybody else doing that one?

[Leprechaun]

I plan to do Portsmouth (strictly Southsea) on 10th September - I expect the Leprechaun will also be there to try and drown me at the start, like last year...

me? well I wasnt close enough to do any drowning after the race got underway!

Yes - I am in plus a number of the Lido Legends, of which e-fitz is of course both a founder and Honorable Member!