The Run Up to Windermere: Intro to Open Water Swimming.

“If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.” Loren Eiseley

Sunday 11th August 2019

A while ago I had been approached by Kate Steele, Kate is an accomplished open water swimmer in her own right. However, she is also helping to drive the sport forward to the benefit of others and to encourage inclusion. Kate asked me if starting a course specifically aimed at veterans would be useful. I jumped at this opportunity as I want others to enjoy this pastime as much as I do. I was keen to involve wounded, injured and sick personnel and spouses into the mix as well.

 

Organising these events always comes with its struggles. Which ever day you decide to hold it on, it won’t suit everyone, the time doesn't always suit, neither does the location. People will commit, but not tun up or make excuses at the last minute. The are a hundred and one reasons why things sometimes aren’t the hit they could be. 

Even though I’ve been swimming outdoors for many years I learned loads from Kate on this course. I also knew that there would be other opportunities on the back of this course. Sometimes they take a moment to materialise. 

Kate organised the course to take place at Andark Lake, this lake is more like a big pond, maybe I’ll check out the definitions of a lake versus a pond. Either way it is a lovely spot to swim at, plus it is only a short drive from my home.

Today was the second part of this course. The first week we looked at some of the theory behind swimming outside which included the safety aspects of open water swimming.

We got in the water to practice some basic skills like sighting and breathing. I like going back to basics, it doesn't hurt to practice things which you 'think' you learned years ago.

This week we practiced we briefly touched on what we learned the week before, Kate also added in feeding and drinking practice which is a key skill to long distance swimming. Even though I should probably should have, I never practiced these skills before, swimming on your back whilst eating and drinking requires practice. This is even more difficult if you don’t have legs. 

Andark has some resident fresh water fish, one of which is a rather large sturgeon. Apparently they can occasionally become a little curious about the crazy humans swimmers invading their home. 

This was my second swim at Andark, as I’ve mentioned before I’m always on the look for interesting things above and below the waterline. Out of the corner of my eye I caught the flash of a tail, I turned my head for a better look and saw a sturgeon in all its glory. It was huge. I popped up to tell the other swimmers, but by the time I looked again it had disappeared. Afterwards I felt a little bit privileged to see something like that in the water. 

We finished our training so I pulled myself out of the water, for some reason at the end of a skills session I always feel tired. I headed back home for a hot drink reflecting on an interesting day.