THE BIG CHILL SWIM 2013 - WINDERMERE
Well have competed in the Cold water swimming championships we now felt much better prepared for the Big Chill Swim in Windermere, in February. Colin Hill had put a lot of effort into organising it, we had put a lot of effort in to training for it..it was shaping up to be a good day!
Heading down to the lake district with my daughter (aka the chief photographer for the day) to stay with Rebecca and Kath, we were in good spirits, daylight gave way to semi darkness and it made me wish i had studied the map a bit more before setting off!! But hey ho, we were looking forward to it. The weather was a bit breezy and overcast with the skies opening to share their contents every now and then...now that would make for an interesting race the next day if it stayed like that.
Getting unpacked, having eaten it was time to share some liquid fermented grapes of the red variety (bottles of red for those that don't know) and let the banter flow, Rebecca and Kath had already been and registered which meant no early start in the morning, jolly good idea, i headed down to do the same. Job done and where is my glass, time to relax. Rebecca and Kath proved to be jolly good company and the chat soon flowed, all too quickly though it was time for bed...racing in the morning. What a great start to the weekend!
Rising the next morning feeling suitably refreshed to a perfectly cooked egg butty from Rebecca, (hope it would not come up to say hello again during the race), we all got ready and headed down to find a parking spot...Spot found and it was time to explore, as with the CWSC, there were a great deal of people to say hi too, open water swimming really is a social event. The weather could not be more perfect, sunny, the water calm and still.
Everything was already set up and the races had started, the endurance race coming to an end but we had time to see Bryn Dymott complete his 450 metres. He got out looking fresh as a daisy and made it look easy to boot! Checking out where everything was...hot tub, changing area it was time to watch more races and soak up the atmosphere. Marshall's in abundance, runners for your kits as you raced, it was fantastic to watch the level of organisation at work, and so smoothly too. The swim had attracted competitors from all over the globe, Russia, Finland, Iceland to name but a few...i must admit we were all a little in awe of the Russian...surely our waters would be like a hot-tub to them.
Rebecca and Kath went off to get ready, despite be seasoned cold water swimmers who are capable of staying in the water for an hour or more with not so much as a shiver they had decided to do the 30m....knowing their sense of humour...i had a feeling it would be great what ever it was they were up too. Around 20 minutes later an almost cheer like ripple went through the crowds, the press suddenly obtained a burst of energy...as two life sized smurfs emerged from the sidelines.....yes Rebecca and Kath....oh it was brilliant, they got interviewed for the tv, a million pictures taken...and then they swam..but it was no ordinary swim. 30m of unadulterated fun.
They swirled and twirled in a dance with the water, totally enjoying their moment, it was superb!
As they got out of the water a huge cheers and of course they lapped it up, they have set the standard for next years fancy dress swimmers, lets hope many more follow suit!
All too soon it was my turn to get changed and head to the warmth of the pink tent, Ursula Richards-Cairns was waiting to get in the the water, in need of warmth she snuggled up inside my Dryrobe until her glasses seamed up. With a giggle off she went for her splash!
Thee Chill swim had an agreement with the Low Wood hotel for the competitors to use the facilities , so after watching Vanessa swim i headed off to the sauna! Wonderful...full warmed up and out to watch Tony Robson....knickers he had already got out of the water but again he was grinning so i am pleased it went well for him. Now just to wait for the results to see where we stood in the standings!
A hot drink while we waited.....and then drum roll....yipeeeeeee i had got a medal, bronze in my age group ladies freestyle...can a grin get any wider, cue dancing on the spot!!!
It was great watching everyone else get their medals, Kath and Rebecca won best costume, quite rightly too! My turn to collect the medal....fab, fab fab, happy swimmer!!!
The do in the evening was equally as good with Jackie Cobbell leading the dancing, a fine night had by one and all, what a brilliant day, well organised, great fun and guaranteed to grow now that the word is spreading.
Heading down to the lake district with my daughter (aka the chief photographer for the day) to stay with Rebecca and Kath, we were in good spirits, daylight gave way to semi darkness and it made me wish i had studied the map a bit more before setting off!! But hey ho, we were looking forward to it. The weather was a bit breezy and overcast with the skies opening to share their contents every now and then...now that would make for an interesting race the next day if it stayed like that.
Getting unpacked, having eaten it was time to share some liquid fermented grapes of the red variety (bottles of red for those that don't know) and let the banter flow, Rebecca and Kath had already been and registered which meant no early start in the morning, jolly good idea, i headed down to do the same. Job done and where is my glass, time to relax. Rebecca and Kath proved to be jolly good company and the chat soon flowed, all too quickly though it was time for bed...racing in the morning. What a great start to the weekend!
Rising the next morning feeling suitably refreshed to a perfectly cooked egg butty from Rebecca, (hope it would not come up to say hello again during the race), we all got ready and headed down to find a parking spot...Spot found and it was time to explore, as with the CWSC, there were a great deal of people to say hi too, open water swimming really is a social event. The weather could not be more perfect, sunny, the water calm and still.
Everything was already set up and the races had started, the endurance race coming to an end but we had time to see Bryn Dymott complete his 450 metres. He got out looking fresh as a daisy and made it look easy to boot! Checking out where everything was...hot tub, changing area it was time to watch more races and soak up the atmosphere. Marshall's in abundance, runners for your kits as you raced, it was fantastic to watch the level of organisation at work, and so smoothly too. The swim had attracted competitors from all over the globe, Russia, Finland, Iceland to name but a few...i must admit we were all a little in awe of the Russian...surely our waters would be like a hot-tub to them.
Rebecca and Kath went off to get ready, despite be seasoned cold water swimmers who are capable of staying in the water for an hour or more with not so much as a shiver they had decided to do the 30m....knowing their sense of humour...i had a feeling it would be great what ever it was they were up too. Around 20 minutes later an almost cheer like ripple went through the crowds, the press suddenly obtained a burst of energy...as two life sized smurfs emerged from the sidelines.....yes Rebecca and Kath....oh it was brilliant, they got interviewed for the tv, a million pictures taken...and then they swam..but it was no ordinary swim. 30m of unadulterated fun.
They swirled and twirled in a dance with the water, totally enjoying their moment, it was superb!
As they got out of the water a huge cheers and of course they lapped it up, they have set the standard for next years fancy dress swimmers, lets hope many more follow suit!
All too soon it was my turn to get changed and head to the warmth of the pink tent, Ursula Richards-Cairns was waiting to get in the the water, in need of warmth she snuggled up inside my Dryrobe until her glasses seamed up. With a giggle off she went for her splash!
And as is her style emerged triumphant and grinning!
Next up me..gulp, there were meant to be 4 our us in my race....two weren't there, no pressure then to thrash the pant....i mean beat the lady stood next to me. We walked the short walk across the jetty, dis-robed an entered the water...it felt warm or was that my head telling me that and my body just ignoring it. Shoulders under and go....again pretty colours, the lane ropes ...caught my attention (aka Jungle Book - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSVkY-01r5o) and this time current of the water was taking them out of their nice straight formation, so consequently i bumped right into the things!!! Right wake up, ignore the pretty colours. One lap done...and turn, i could see my competition...she was not ahead of me....wow, full speed ahead, the breathing was fine, the catch of the stroke was fine, the kick was fine, a nice straight line back to the finish and done!! I had won my race....beaming from ear to ear!! Getting the robe on, instant warmth but i wanted to get back in and do it again...and again and again!!! A brilliant experience.
A hot drink while we waited.....and then drum roll....yipeeeeeee i had got a medal, bronze in my age group ladies freestyle...can a grin get any wider, cue dancing on the spot!!!
It was great watching everyone else get their medals, Kath and Rebecca won best costume, quite rightly too! My turn to collect the medal....fab, fab fab, happy swimmer!!!
The do in the evening was equally as good with Jackie Cobbell leading the dancing, a fine night had by one and all, what a brilliant day, well organised, great fun and guaranteed to grow now that the word is spreading.
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