What sort of things do you see while wild swimming

[Brick]

When people go wild swimming, what sort of things do you see? I've seen a website where someone described swimming in the Norfolk broads, and all the wildlife visible. What have others seen?

[Chris]

If I'm swimming in the sea I prefer not to see anything!

:zip: (this smiley's getting a lot of use at the moment!)

[selkie]

Lots of wild dolphins in there parts. I've seen them from a bit of a distance while I'm out in the Gulf of Mexico, but haven't gotten uncomfortably close to them.

[Wildswimmer]

I've been followed around Hatchmere by a convoy of swans: Dad, several cygnets, with Mum following up the rear. Always keeping a distance of about a yard from the back of my head. This has happened quite a few times, particularly if I haven't fed them. However, they've never done it when I've had my waterproof camera with me. They are completely tame, very streetwise, and recognise people - especially those who are suspected of having a large brown loaf in their backpack!!

Otherwise much as in the "pics of Places You Have Swum" thread. Must admit I do particularly like tidal estuaries as they can subtly (sp?) change after each tide. The Mersey estuary does look a lot nicer when the sun's out, but those pics were taken on avery mild but humid October day, with a lot of very low cloud.

Wildswimmer Pete

[OpenNewbie]

So far ive not seen a thing, struggle to see the leangth of my arm in the water! I have had a couple of birds follow me from air whilst i was in the water. Would be nice to see something tho!

[Spidey]

When people go wild swimming, what sort of things do you see? I've seen a website where someone described swimming in the Norfolk broads, and all the wildlife visible. What have others seen?

I try to train not to wild, I like to care about my fellow swimmers, I believe the term is watermanship (sorry ladies). I often see plasters.

[Wildswimmer]

I try to train not to wild, I like to care about my fellow swimmers, I believe the term is watermanship (sorry ladies). I often see plasters.

The term "Wild" means unregulated, unorganised, unsupervised swimming in the freedom of open water. Nothing to do with training or watermanship. There are good and bad wild swimmers as there are good and bad pool swimmers.

Wildswimmer Pete - meaning I swim "wild" in the open.

[Spidey]

The term "Wild" means unregulated, unorganised, unsupervised swimming in the freedom of open water. Nothing to do with training or watermanship. There are good and bad wild swimmers as there are good and bad pool swimmers.

Wildswimmer Pete - meaning I swim "wild" in the open.

So not like an open water swim then, just free swimming. Does free swimmming in a pool count, guess not. I do love to float, face down looking around all calm like. I find I can hold my breath for what seems like ages, and it is so peaceful. Oh to be a fish.

[Bully]

So not like an open water swim then, just free swimming. Does free swimmming in a pool count, guess not. I do love to float, face down looking around all calm like. I find I can hold my breath for what seems like ages, and it is so peaceful. Oh to be a fish.

Being a bull has its bonus's to, have you ever seen an ugly cow???

[Wildswimmer]

So not like an open water swim then, just free swimming.

Got it in one:thumb: Just you and Ole' Ma Nature.

I do love to float, face down looking around all calm like. I find I can hold my breath for what seems like ages, and it is so peaceful. Oh to be a fish.

Careful - that's the first symptom of "Rapture of the Deep"!! I know what you mean though, although UK waters are usually too murky to see through. I do it the other way round: I float on my back and look at the sky.

Wildswimmer Pete

[Speedy Gonzalez]

[QUOTE=Spidey;70512], I believe the term is watermanship (sorry ladies).


Why is it called watermanship (or did you just make that up)? If you are sportsman-like when you play football are you displaying pitchmanship? Or courtmanship if you are a polite basketball/squash/tennis player? What about ringmanship if you like boxing considerately, or trackmanship if you are a nice runner? :)

There is one (older) gentleman at our pool who could do with a course in watermanship. He swims one length, usually backstroke and usually right down the centre of the lane, and then at each end he grabs the starting block and bounces up and down, causing waves along all the rest of the pool. Did I say waves? I meant mini tsunamis.

He is a wild swimmer. :wave:

[Speedy Gonzalez]

Being a bull has its bonus's to, have you ever seen an ugly cow???

Yes. My history teacher at school.

At least that's what everybody called her.

[Spidey]

Why is it called watermanship (or did you just make that up)?

I never made it up and I believe that it is really about being aware of your fellow swimmers.

[Spidey]

Careful - that's the first symptom of "Rapture of the Deep"!! I know what you mean though, although UK waters are usually too murky to see through. I do it the other way round: I float on my back and look at the sky.Wildswimmer Pete

I am carefull and really enjoy the feeling of the gentle waves

Got it in one, just you and Ole' Ma nature

I have done the naturist bit as well, but not that often.

[Wildswimmer]

I wasn't being serious! Rapture of the Deep is a condition affecting divers caused by some sort of toxic reaction to their breathing mixture. I understand it involves feelings like you described, only the diver believes it possible to breathe water and join the fish. He then removes his mouthpiece with predictable consequences. I can't see it affecting surface swimmers or snorkellers.

Wildswimmer Pete

[zanshin]

I once had a seal swim along side and underneath me whilst swimming in Runswick Bay north of Whitby.

[Spidey]

I was being serious! Rapture of the Deep is a condition affecting divers caused by some sort of toxic reaction to their breathing mixture. I understand it involves feelings like you described, only the diver believes it possible to breathe water and join the fish. He then removes his mouthpiece with predictable consequences. I can't see it affecting surface swimmers or snorkellers.

Wildswimmer Pete

Phew!

[Wildswimmer]

If you go swimming in the Mersey at New Brighton there's plenty to keep you entertained. Although the water is too murky to see the wildlife (although there is plenty, including large crabs, so it's obviously pretty clean) you have the...er....interesting industrial architecture of North Liverpool's docklands on the far side. It's fascinating to watch tugs maneouvre huge container ships into the Seaforth container port.

You also get to see the world-famous Mersey ferries, the Isle of Man Sea-Cat, the big Norfolk Line Dublin to Liverpool car ferry, and all the rest of the activity of a busy port. Shades of Otis Reading's "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay"!

I always take my handheld marine VHF to listen in (it's legal to listen in to the marine band), Mersey Port Ops are on Ch.12

Wildswimmer Pete