Swimming

^^lol…
Good to cause a stir. Frankly I don't recon I'd have the balls to go out in that but I don't see why anyone else shouldn't. Looks bracing.

Midwinter swim at brockwell Lido this Sunday 11am - just rock up get wet and then hopefully warm again afterwards.

http://www.porism.net/blu/documents/WinterEvents.pdf

Also this is this sunday:
http://www.theswimmer.org/
Which ends at Brockwell.

Wondering if they've got the timing right, will they hit Brockwell for noon?

Midwinter swim at brockwell Lido this Sunday 11am - just rock up get wet and then hopefully warm again afterwards.

http://www.porism.net/blu/documents/WinterEvents.pdf

tommy, I really hope you didn't turn up for this on Sunday, because it was Saturday! I'm estimating 100 people, some good fancy dress (including a prety impressive narwhal), and a good atmosphere.

I was a bit disappointed to be kicked out after 25 minutes, as there seemed no reason for it (and I wanted to show off by staying in for ages), but it was a good fun event. 6 degrees, but felt warmer than the sea (currently 8 degrees), probably because of the sunshine and shelter from the chill coastal winds.

^ Turned up on the right day.. but with the wrong frame of mind - didn't fancy it.
(8 degrees looked neither enjoyable or a challenge lose/lose)

Just seen the London Aquatics Centre in QEOP is opening its doors to swimmers on March 1st.

Anyone interested in a ride out and dip in the pool where team GB won so much gold?

http://www.better.org.uk/leisure/london-aquatics-centre/events/37

That place will be utterly rammed from day 1. Olympics or not, the only good pool is an empty pool.

3 swims in down at Folkestone this weekend. It's still pretty mild, about 8 degrees we think. Was able to manage 45 mins on Sat in the rough seas. Only managed 30 mins in calmer seas yesterday, but had run for a couple of hours beforehand, so was maybe a little depleted.

This is pretty much just my swimming blog now, innit? Surely someone else is still getting wet?

Had a cross country race at Parliament Hill on Sat, so went to the Bathing Ponds beforehand. 3-4 degrees, a bit colder than anything else so far this winter. Managed about 20 mins, but very exhausting - the cold drags the energy out of you like nothing else. On the plus side, didn't get cold during the cross country as was already deeply bone frozen.

Yep, only you! I can't face chlorine any more. My local swimming is in the rivers, which are far too dangerous at the minute, (both from the currents and the crap in them) and I am too much of a wimp at this time of year anyway!
I am really looking forward to expiring some of the big gravel pits this "summer" (i.e. whenever the water gets warm enough!
Full marks to you though. I wished I lived near enough to the sea (even if I did I suspect I wouldn't be in it in January!)

I am really looking forward to expiring

You should cheer up a bit, maybe go for a swim.

Good typo.

This is pretty much just my swimming blog now, innit? Surely someone else is still getting wet?

You've scared everybody away with your exploits. :)

You should cheer up a bit, maybe go for a swim.

sorry, that should have said expiring in!
(not really)

I went for a swim today, my first swim of the year. I've been really scared of swimming- because I knew how much shitter I'd be than I used to be. Also a shoulder dislocation over the christmas period stopped me for a bit.
Did a standard getting back into this set of 10 warm up, 2,4,6,8,6,4,2, 4 breast, 4 back, 10 down. Its nothing compared to proper swimming, but I have missed the water.
Will be trying to build to decent distances/ speeds again by end of Feb, but work/ annoying pool opening times is a prohibitive factor.

Hello,

What's a decent time for a 1km? (25yd pool)

I'm loving getting back in to swimming. I can just about manage to not hold anyone up in my local's fast lane, which is nice. As discussed above though, I alos need to work on my tumbles, the walls are currently slowing me down, rather than speeding me up...

I'm quite happy doing 1km sets in 20 minutes, but I'm not a great swimmer, hoping to be able to get that down a bit over the course of the year.

My tumbles are still pretty poor but I'm just about confident enough to do them in training sessions with a group drafting off my feet! I think once you've got the basics it's a case of practice makes perfect!

Cool, I did 1km in 20:43, which included a bit of waiting at the end of a few laps to either let someone faster safely pass, or let someone slightly slower get a bit of distance.

Why come to a swimming pool and get into the fast lane to do 2 lengths and then hang about chatting with 2 other swimmers at the end of the lane for 15 minutes? Fuuuuucksake.

I can't remember at all what times I used to do 1k but regarding your tumble turns (this might sound condescending as I have no idea how good you are); attack the wall full speed, legs should be almost straight, your speed should then take your feet into the wall.

Pifko - those people are posers (same as the ones that do a couple of laps around Herne Hill then stand around by the seats chatting. Aim your tumbles right next to them or do your final sprint bit into the wall causing as much splash as possible.

Aim your tumbles right next to them
This. Absolutely hammer the water and just next to their heads.

For tumble turn technique, try breaking it down to the constituent parts and work on the very basics - rolling forward, arm position, feet plant etc...

This. Absolutely hammer the water and just next to their heads.

Fly is always a nice way of ensuring a good amount of eye level splash

Fly is always a nice way of ensuring a good amount of eye level splash

Just noticed you're also in Bournemouth. Which pool do you use?

Stokewood mostly for "proper swimming" although I also use Pelhams. I'll be sea swimming more than anything when it warms up a bit though. How about you?

Must get back in the pool. Am turning to flab.

Fancy a wetsuited dip at Brockwell. Is it open after dark?

Stokewood mostly for "proper swimming" although I also use Pelhams. I'll be sea swimming more than anything when it warms up a bit though. How about you?

Stokewood too, as it's just around the corner and there's only ever a handful of people in the lanes before 8am.

I promised myself to start sea swimming last year, but I got distratced with a new born. I'll definitely (try to...) do it this year though.

Any swimmers fancy doing the swim leg of a middle distance triathlon in June? I'm being coerced into being part of a tri team and don't want to have to do the swim.