Open water passion FUNDRAISING appeal!!!

Hello  one and all,

As you all know i am completely passionate about swimming...in any water at any time any where and with as many people as i can, and i am equally passionate about encouraging others to do the same. I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching each and every person that i have come across that has asked for it (and some that haven't), whether that is for an event, a race, fitness, mental health what ever the reason, i have endeavored to create a safe environment were all feel safe, achieve, surpass that achievement and go on to develop a deep passion for swimming. I have met some incredible people along the way,  who's reasons for wanting to enter or re-enter the water have left me breathless at times.
I would now like to turn that passion into something more, the group is expanding which i am overjoyed with, people are progressing, requests are coming in for me to help more and more people and each and everyone of them will get my undivided attention.

But i want to turn my passion into a qualification and therefore what to formalise what i am doing and 'be qualified' so we can get  more and more people into the open water, the pool and into swimming in general. I also wish to apply for funding  to the group so we can get training aids, wetsuits etc so the cost of starting in open water or any other type of swimming is not so great for people, i have been informed that if i am qualified and formalise the group we can apply and will certainly get funding for equipment. I want to make it a truly inclusive hobby or sport for people of all ages, abilities and disciplines. This last year has shown me how passionate i am about helping people reach their goals and i want to continue to do so.

But right now i need your help, as some of you know, i got made redundant (believe me i was not pleased about it) and money is not the easiest thing for me to find, swim courses are not held on a roll on roll off basis, there is a course coming up  in March, but applications have to be in by the 6th of Feb, so essentially i have until the 5th to raise the money. My plan for the immediate and long term future is to get myself qualified then to raise money through sponsorship and any other means i can to get others qualified so that each an every one of us that wants to can get not only a qualification but a career in swimming, so we can keep the bug that is inside all of us alive and kicking. I also plan to extend this to other groups so they can be formalised and each of us do the same in our respective locations. There are no formal qualifications other than triathlon ones to teach open water swimming...as a trainer i will be looking to write a course for others to qualify in, we all work hard at our hobby, but i feel we could really expand what we do and really open it up to the masses. You know how passionate i am but also how proud so i do not ask lightly, your generosity would be appreciated, even if its just a penny...look down the back of the sofa....!!! I know times are hard for one and all so that is why i will understand if you can not help..if you can you know it will be money not wasted. For each an every one of that gets qualified a new swim adventure starts, we will be a team and who knows in the future we might be recognised for the impact we have on swimming and those who want to swim! How do you donate....via paypal as i think that is the safest way!!! If you can think of any other way i can raise the money ......let me know!!

My paypal address is pauline_squire@sky.com

Anything no matter how large or small would be eternally grateful. It goes without saying, my progress, the swims, the fun the laughter and the future will all be blogged about ...so there will be plenty for you to read about too xxxx

wow.....look at how many have read the blog!!!

WOW..WOW...WOW...look how many of you have read the blog...thats incredible, when i started writing it i never expected for it to be viewed by so many from so many different countries....and we have just hit the 8000 mark, thats fantastic (if not overwhelmnig). I knew the open water community reached far and wide but how incredible that you continue to read!!
2012 has started well with some pool swims but also a few open water swims....and many more to come...hopefully you will be able to join us...if you are coming to the uk....let me know...I'll organise a swim for you so you can try to meet as many faces of the wonderful people you have been reading about!!! If you have an open water/swim story you would like to add...please email it to me and i will happily add it...pics too if you can. the email address is pauline_squire@sky .com
Happy swimming and thank you so much for reading...we really are opening up the joys of open water swimming around the world!!!

H20 Award nominations!!!!

There is a wonderful magazine in Britain called H20pen, you can suscribe to receive it via the post (not sure if this option is available over seas) or via the internet. Full of hints, tips and stories, advice and information and ALL about open water swimming...at last a magazine just for us!!!

They are holding awards covering various catagories...and would you believe i have received some votes....over the moon to be voted for let alone if i win anything....now that would really make my year...so here goes the begging bit.....VOTE FOR ME PLEASE. As you know through this blog and through the swims i organise, the people i coach etc i really do try to make open water swimming accessable to one and all and to try to make it a life long hobby/sport for them....no kittens will be harmed should you not vote....nor will i stop doing what i do....but it would be fab to represent all of you by picking up an award on behalf of ALL open water swimmers and what we do.....so PLEASEEEEE VOTE or not your choice, Thank you so much for those that do!!! The form for voting can be found by clicking on this link and finding the bit that says nomination form, so far i have votes in the coach of the year and and open water ambassador of the year... you can vote for both....hint hint...

http://www.h2openmagazine.com/2011/open-water-swimming-awards.html

you keep on swimming and i will keep on blogging!!!!! Once again many thanks if you can take the time to vote!!!!

Windermere in winter!!!

Windermere in winter!!!

After a nice spell of mild weather the true British weather returned, nice hard frosts, some snow on the hill tops and best of all clear blue sky and sunshine, so after a morning of house chores (major yawn!!!) we decided to head over to the Lake District ....for a coffee.

Now when it was suggested that we go...a cunning plan started to form in my head...could i wangle a swim....oh yes i could...a flutter of the baby browns and swim kit hastily packed and off we headed. Chucking a quick status update on facebook...like you do to notify the world of my potential intentions it was suggested by Keith Bartolo and Louise Barber..that i get in contact with the Gladiator aka Thomas Noblett or Andrew Tighe, the gods of open water swimming in windermere, not to mention a huge variety of other places....now how do i persuade the other half that we should go to Windermere instead of or as well of Skellwith bridge the intended destination. Using my feminine ways....OK i just came straight out and said, the wetsuit is in the car, i intend to swim, can we go to Windermere....oh and we need to find the Langdale Chase Hotel as that's where i am hoping to meet up with someone to swim with...thankfully the good man never even hesitated and even suggested that if there was anywhere else that i wanted to swim along the way i should let him know and we would find a place to park so i could do so!!!!

I would clearly be returning the favour at some point but i wonder what he would be after!!!! Still, i was on a mission...arriving at the hotel, which by the way is stunning, parking i wander....ok practically run into the hotel to find Messrs Noblett and Tighe....to be halted by a large sign outside the door saying private function, hotel closed.....Noooooooooo!!! The other half suggested we go and find somewhere else....as if i was going to listen to that!!!! Pushing open the door I was greeted by a lovely woman on the reception who seemed totally unfazed by my request to speak with either of the messers. It turned out that Messer Noblett was out....(ahhhhhh) but Messer Tighe was in...yipppeee ...but he was dealing with a large wedding function!!!! And then as if by magic Andrew appears looking rather dapper in his clothing and appearing unfazed by my request to swim or the fact that i would like to swim with him. He couldn't he explained due to the function but without drawing breath stated that i could use the jetty to swim from if i liked......if i liked, inside i was singing like a rock group!!!! Me and the lake were about to be reunited...oh what heaven!!!!

While the Geoff faffed on with moving the car i went to inspect the water...just the mere sight of it made up my mind for me...i was getting in!!! Returning to get my stuff, Geoff, telling me i was nuts, was i really going to get in....ok yes i was on both counts, it was too inviting not to! Don't go out too far he said.....i think he was worried that either the cold would get to me...or i might head out for the other side!!!! So being sensible i decided i would swim in circles so his heart did not explode!

But nothing short of a sharks fin luming out of the water was going to stop me getting in so after getting changed i handed the phone over so he could record the moment for me!!! Getting changed was wonderful, had it been the height of summer i might have been tempted with a skinny dip.....there was not a sole around but instead it being winter i got the normal apparel on, and did as requested posed for the pics...i am sure he was just recording the fact that when he last saw me yes i was alive...just in case anything happened!!!

Heading into the water i am sure i uttered words along the lines of ...gosh that's abit chilly on the toes!!!!

Warming up the wetsuit in the normal way, Geoff requesting.....with a slightly pleading note in his voice that i don't go out too far...why i sighed...well what if the cold gets to you....highly possible it was showing 1.5  degrees on my watch, then he said that he was actually worried that i would just bugger off and swim to the other side....ahhhhh another plan forming in my head!!! But then being sensible i knew that at those temperatures i would need someone near me in a boat to enable me to do that....but don't rule it out that i find a way of doing it....so i agreed that i would go round in circles. In my head i already knew that once in he would not be able to get me out until i was ready to get out!!!!

So heading of in line with the shore...to keep him happy... i went a few metres before turning a sharp left...oops i suddenly could not hear him!!!

'

Even when i was starting to shiver i did not want to get out so heading further in til i could touch the shore i staying enjoying the moment...Geoff long having been told to shhhh so he did not interrupt the moment which had long since surpassed sublime, i laid back and enjoyed the sun on my face...

Geoff clearly getting the message that even with my backside almost touching the bottom i was not going to get out til i was well and truly ready, he resorted to taking pics of himself

Do note the woolly hat and multipe layers he had on!!!!

Did i feel guilty for taking such a pleasure, not it was a privilege to have swam today in such a tranquil and stunning location! Getting dressed on the jetty in the sunshine only served to make me want to warm up and get back in but i had to play fair so after a warming from the sun again we headed off, a quick run into the hotel to say thank you to the lady on reception for their welcome and off we headed in the car....the heater on full blast for me!!! Skelwith bridge here we come....given that i had swam and Geoff hadn't...i had cake and refused to share....! You can tell by the grin that my day was amazing!!!





Did i rub it in.....come on of course i did!!!! The journey home was equally wonderful, we took the scenic route up the 'struggle' as it is well known....put your car in third gear at your peril...its that steep but wow the scenery mind blowing on both sides...with lakes calling out and inviting you back in so equally calm and willing you to get in!!! Even with the sunning slowing lowering itself for another day turning the sky from orange to aqua blue in the rear view mirror, the stars starting to appear, we were even treated to the milky way hovering over us on the way home.

Oh and Geoff's treat, the favour to be returned...a trip to one of his favourite pubs for beer in front of  a roaring log fire safe in the knowledge that he could sleep the rest of the journey home!!!

Til next time....i will be contacting the hotel to see if they will let me organise a social swim there so you can all enjoy the magic, Thomas raises money to help children learn to swim.....so i am sure that one and all will happily contribute as payment for letting us swim in his little area of paradise....!!! Hope to see you all there too,....bring your cameras, you really do not want to miss out on such a special place. Have i had a good day, well sat here finishing it off with a glass of read and old faithful drying in front of the fire until my next adventure......in one word.....YES!!!

do the press get it right...fitness instructor...????

Wild swimming a hot (metaphorically) and upcoming fitness trend

September 6, 2011

It is funny to realize that something you did regularly as a child has now become a fitnesss trend. But “wild swimming” in lakes and ponds is taking over in the UK as the new and upcoming fitness phenomena, writes Sky Sports.
Following the second world war, with safety in everyone’s mind, wild swimming became untrendy but it has seen a new surge in popularity in the recent years and social media is much to thank for. People use Networking sites to organize swim-meeitng s and find suitable places for swimming.
Daniel Start, who launched the “Guide book to wild swimming” three years ago, has had more than a million hits ever since.
Fitness Advisor Pauline Squire says that people choose wild swimming because “The water’s clean, you’re with the ducks, and unlike in a pool it’s not just boring swimming up and down”.
Earlier in the week David Walliams, the actor and comedian, said in an EZ magazine interview that long distance exercise, like the Thames wim he embarked upon helps him cope with things and fight low moods. He also warned of the possible dangers of open water swimming. “There’s a lot of traffic in the Thames, I’ve been hit by oars, I’ve been attacked by a swan – it’s really not a good environment for swimming”, he said.
Source: SkyNews


And do i mind if i get called a fitness instructor....no not at all as long as it gets open water swimming a good press!!!

2012....I am back!!!! - Pauline Squire

2012.....I am back!!!!

After a chest infection knocked me for six before Christmas...then Christmas arriving,  it seems like ages since i have swam....the weather as per the UK has been appauling...nothing new there then but try as i might i could not bring myself to do the regular trips to that chlorine filled box that others seem to relish. But knowing that the fitness level was dropping with each day....due to the festive seasons divine food (made by our own fair hand...if i do say so myself!!), alcohol and other nasties....oh and laziness...it was about time i got my backside in gear and got back into the water.

So off i headed to Teesdale Leisure centre....not a place i favour but a chlorine box that is the closest to home so for convenience i entered the concrete establishment, hoping that since my last swim there someone would have swept the hair from the changing room floor and removed the hair bobbles and plasters from the pool. Nope no such luck the staff are clearly far to busy staring into oblivion wishing they were elsewhere...thoughts i was strongly echoing as i dodged around the changing room trying not to gag. Shoving my rucksack, boots and clothes unceremoniously into the locker i headed towards the pool....praying it would have lanes up otherwise i would have to suffer the normal lane hogging, makeup wearing lunchtime brigade...or the man who's breaststroke leg kick can remove layers of skin with a single swipe of the toenail!!! Breathe i said to myself, its only for a while.....yep....there were lanes and one of them was empty....mine i thought heading towards it determined that no-one would beat me there...the stampede consisted of one...me, so as i placed my body into the far too warm water i secretly plotted what would happen is some unfortunate decided to try to join me. After 50 metres i decided they could have the lane given that i had caught someone else's long hair in my mouth and witnessed all sort of gag inducing things on the floor of the pool. Ploughing up and down in the monotony of filthy water, nasty thoughts going through my head about the heathens that had frequented the place before me and deposited various body parts and bits of 'stuff' at the bottom, i had made my mind up i needed to get back in the lake.....even if it mean breaking ice!!!

But with my lane claimed i had to make good use of it, so off i set. Three tedious miles later i had had enough of trying to count the tiles....i jest not...you try it when you are tumble turning its not that easy! Seeing the same plaster bobbling along at the bottom ....that was enough for me. Getting out and chasing the luke warm water round the showers whilst trying to get the conditioner out of my hair confirmed my thoughts, open water it is!

Getting home i posted on the usual form of communication (facebook), anyone for a swim at elleton tomorrow...one brave soul took me up on the offer: Liz Reed, now when i posted it was blowing a gale outside, the rain being blown up the hill should have been an indicator...but getting up the next morning to BLUE sky, someone was looking down on us! Getting ready brought its own issues....wetsuit - check, swim costume - check....what next......the mind a total blank!!!!! Where on earth had i put the box of swim goodies that i had carefully (ok thrown!) placed so that i would know where to find them the next time i wanted to swim!!!!! It can not be far surely...cupboards thrown open all sorted bits of carefully placed rubbish brought out into daylight for the first time in a while...eventually i came across the beloved box...and in it, all the goodies that i had been seeking!!! Goggles, scratched and almost clear....hats, some stuck together, memories of past swims and races came flooding back, socks, neoprene heaven...yes the heart rate was raising, i could hear the water calling!!!

Kit ready, i went outside to put it in the car....bugger...the car was covered in the heavy frost!!!! Despite the sun it had not disappeared. Defroster can in hand and off i went spraying everything that i could see, engine on to demist the inside. Twenty minute later and i was ready. Ellerton here i come!

Driving...well i think thats what you call it when the back end of the car is going in a different direction from what i expected!!! Sun blinding....can't believe that i am complaining about it, eventually i arrived at Ellerton, oh the pulse rate calmed, the adrenalin was lying in wait, it looked stunning. Total silence...which was only broken but the ducks protesting at my arrival.

6 jan 2011 the water level as swollen by the river Swale bursting its banks

Walking over to the jetty....oh my god the water had risen....alot.  

behind Tom Litten you can see the normal water level in 2011!!!! Oh that mankini!!!

Still the sun was shining , the water was calm, it did look good...but what was that on the grass....oh my god frost!!!!! Still it was only 11 am....my god was i really about to do this.

Before doubt could creep in Liz Reed arrived, happy new years and hugs...then the pair of us walked to the pier....Liz bravely put her hand in....knickers now i have to...in the words of Mrs Browns Boys (for those that have not seen it here is the link  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhD1RSKzvP8  feeking hell came forth....my fingers rapidly numbing. Shall i go and get my watch i suggested, so off i went, putting the watch in the water....my fingers protesting with every second they were in!!! The temperature decelerating at a rate of knots i did not think possible!!!! Did my watch go that low....apparently yes, whilst i was doing that Liz decided to get brave...off came the boot and sock and in went the foot.....toes went pale then very pale!!!! Yep its cold confirmed Liz....i think she was being more that polite!

After a bit of discussion, should we, shouldn't we...shall we, shan't we...it was decided we will....gulp this was going to hurt!! Alot!!!

Approaching the changing room did not instill any more confidence...it was cold in there!!!! Where was the thermal spa i requested from Santa....apparently i had not been a good girl!!!! No change there! Getting out of the jeans was not a problem the prospect of taking off the many layers on top brought a fresh range of protests from us both...it has to be the slowest we have ever got changed!!! I am sure my wetsuit has shrunk....oh not its because i did not have it on correctly..Liz was the same...why bother we thought...its not like we are going to be in for hours....as if!!!

The walk towards the water...we tried to pretend that in the sun it could have been July....at the jetty it was suggested that given that it was my idea to swim that i go in first....visions of Liz laughing then running back to the changing rooms flooded my head...shall we get in together i said so we did.....oh my god...it was cold...no i correct that it was feeking cold!!!! In fact it was more that that.....my feet were in pain before i got to the bottom step!!!

How many birds????

Oh the benefits of a wetsuit really did come in to play today and they were so worth every penny paid, the bodies were fine, any area exposed the cold water (did i say cold....i meant the sodding cold water) were painful, neoprene hats on heads, rubber on top of that, goggles at the ready...but did we use the goggles...not a hope in hell, it was painful where ever the water hit, faces in...NOPE!!! Maybe next time...i will have to give it a go before i get out!!!

Swimming was hard as the temperatures affected out ability to manover properly, we headed out, cursing but still going for it, then back again, exiting the water the first thought that went through my head was get back in ....wow, aside from the feet and the exposed area everything else for the moment was fine....but being sensible we headed back to the changing rooms. Ahhh the water in the showers was cold...no that was us, eventually we felt the warmth...then the next problem...getting out of the showers and getting towels so we did not get any colder...epic fail there but eventually we were dry, new swim suits on in preparation for the pool swim still to come. Out in the bracing January air ( 5 degrees) , the sun had vanished, but with cake we headed towards the jetty ....yep we were both thinking the same thing....i want to get back in!

Oh i forgot you will want to know that water temperature.....3 DEGREES...did i say that loudly enough....it was 3 DEGREES for anyone not familiar with swimming in that temperature ....its beyond cold!!!!

And so to the pool we headed....never having been to Catterick pool before it was a new one for both of us.....my first impression.....ITS CLEAN, not a plaster in sight, no rug of human hair on the changing room floor, air temperature breathable!!! Could this place actually be nice???? Goodies in the lockers, we headed pool side...to be greeted by a 'mature' male in speedo's on his back doing a dying turtle impression...not a good sight given that we were not facing his head!!!!

Duly walking past said dying turtle trying not to laugh or ask him what the hell he was doing, we headed for the laned area...it looked like a proper session was taking place....quick enquiries made..and yes we were right....it was the KUTU TRI club along side the Master session...can we join you....yep they said...so a beasting later and two red cheeked females stopped swimming, the people from the tri club informed us we were nuts for swimming in a lake and that they would not be entering cold waters for at least two months....we refrained from the comments forming in our heads.....but the offers still there boys...anytime you want to join us!!!

The pool....it was clean, no hair, body parts, plasters, hair bobbles...in fact there was very little chlorine too...was this the inside heaven i have been seeking...even the showers afterwards were HOT so you could wash properly!!

Coffee and a catch up afterwards and it was time to go our separate ways, the season has started....we are back and with the Christmas decorations down the wetsuit reclaims its rightful place in front of the fire ready for the next session!!!.....!!!! The fun started here!!!

To all those wondering where the rest of the blogs are from last year......i will endeavour to write then in the next few days so i can start afresh with this years...... xxx Thanks to one and all for reading in 2011.....lets hope 2012 bring loads more adventures for you to enjoy, and don't forget if you have your  own adventure that you would like to add, email me at pauline_squire@sky.com and i will happily add them. Happy new year to one and all!!!!