Swimming

Stonehaven Lido today.

ps., any more ponds / open water in Lundun-town, without the hazard of being bitten?!

Why over the fence? It's open til 8.30 and effectively free (I think I'm the only one who pays the extortionate £2).

RIP Nick Thomas, my good friend and training partner. Died last night on his 45th birthday during his solo Channel swim. One of the nicest guys and strongest, most well-prepared Channel swimmers I've known, this has completely knocked us sideways.

Sorry to hear, RIP Nick :(

That's awful. RIP Nick. Are you okay?

We're all in shock. There have only been a handful of deaths in the history of Channel swimming, and Nick was a guy who would turn up at Folkestone in January with two rocks he'd brought from Wales, and do an hour freestyle in 8 degrees with them clutched in his fists, and come out grinning . Seems an outrage that the sea can take someone so strong.

Just did the port quin to port Isaac "big swim" much rougher seas than last year, which made for some tough going, the joy of having a house 100m from the finish line is that I am now lying on the sofa recovering before heading out for the free music/beer!

Sorry to hear about Nick, kl. Could it have been some undiagnosed health condition? As in the ancient story, the strongest all have an Achilles heel. From your description of him, it sounds very unlikely that he made a mistake. Very sad.

Difficult to tell at this stage. The guys crewing for him wouldn't have let him make a mistake. They're experienced Channel swimmers and observers as well as being trained lifeguards and good friends of Nick. They wanted to get him across, but would have pulled him out if there was any danger.

There's a piece about Nick on the guardian. Really tragic.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/28/endurance-athlete-nick-thomas-dies-swim-english-channel

Such poor journalism, cobbled together from misinterpreted Facebook posts. He wasn't doing an Arch2Arc attempt, he completed that two years ago. This was a simple solo Channel.

^ must be frustrating to see. BBC radio news was reporting his death yesterday too, tho as a channel swim nowt more.

We're off to Hathersage Lido today for a family splash about.

I completely forgot about this for another year. And the swim across to padstow. Next year, maybe...

Really sorry to hear about this. Very sad news.

I hope you are OK?

Shit. Thats tragic News.

I only came here to bitch about cold North Atlantic water and stinging jellyfish infestations. Seems silly now.

The 1 mile swim from Padstow to Rock was 31st July I think (the posters were still up when I was there last week).

Sunday 6th August 2017: http://www.padstowtorockswim.org.uk/

So sorry to hear this. RIP Nick.

Hathersage Pool looks nice, session starts half 1.

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Such poor journalism, cobbled together from misinterpreted Facebook posts. He wasn't doing an Arch2Arc attempt, he completed that two years ago. This was a simple solo Channel.

It might be worth sending a correction to the Guardian Readers' Editor.

The Standard story doesn't feature this mistake:

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/crosschannel-swimmer-dies-after-collapsing-just-a-mile-away-from-france-a3331506.html

Curious to know if anyone swims in the ponds at Hampstead through the Autumn and in to the winter? Moving back to London soon and I have the itch to get some cold fresh water swimming in.

I do - men's pond at weekends usually, occasional lido.

Thank goodness there was a strong swimmer nearby:

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/iron-man-bystander-saves-young-boy-with-seconds-to-spare-after-thames-plunge-a3419841.html

Can anyone recommend me a pool near Shoreditch?

Looking to start a membership and get some early morning swimming in.