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!!!!

THE LONE SWIMMER - CASTING COUCH - PAULINE SQUIRE

THE LONE SWIMMER - CASTING COUCH - PAULINE SQUIRE

Like you do when there are a million other things that you could be and probably should be doing...i was sat on my sofa trawling through the open water swim groups on facebook, since its recent change in format its become increasingly difficult to keep abreast of what is going on in the swimming world.My trawling caught a fish so to speak...an advert for an open water swimmer wanted for a film. Eyes speed reading across the page...should i do this nor not...then Dan Grey from the.......swim group via chat said..go for it. So thinking to myself that they would have been inundated with open water swimmers applications put together a cheeky email sent it off and thought no more of it!

Yep this is the one that Jo Brand jumped off in her show!

THE EMAIL

Hi,

I have seen a request on facebook about a wild swimmer required for some filming in Devon and various other places, Dan Grey suggested i speak to you about it so here i am. I am 5 ft 6in, 8 stone 3, brown eyes, brown hair (curtosy of l'oreal!!!), 42 years old, and been wild/ open water swimming for about 5 years. Numerous races behind me and always in the top third of the woman (and occasionally the men) have wetsuit, gloves, boots, hats and a sense of humour...will tolerate cold water in response to promises of coffee and cake or even red wine! Love being in the water, have started a small swim club for open water swimmers to get people into the water and also write a blog about it (http://paulinesquire.blogspot.com/2011/09/bashed-by-buttermere.html), Hope to hear from you soon and like the pics

Pauline Squire

Please note i have removed my address....wouldn't want Daniel Craig knockng down the door...but not when i would happily open it for him! A girl can dream.....oh listen to the collective groans from the men!

Not expecting to hear anything i resumed my normal life...a week later, again in one of those moments to avoid having to do housework i sat down to check my emails and low and behold there is an email....now was i about to find out that i had won the spanish lottery (without having entered....or had i been left 3 million pound by some wealthy aunt in anther country (one presumably that i did not know as we don't have any family in that location! For some reason something made me open my unexplained email and at that point in time my heart was attempting to exit my body via my ears, nervously i opened it half expecting to it say thanks but no thanks!

But no that was not the case it said they were interested and could i be in Devon the next day to attend an audition....!!! WHAT!!! Hasty made phone calls, checks on the Internet for flights, facebook soon made me realise that the open water swim group is wonderful, Dan Grey and Bryn Dymott both made wonderful and extremely generous offers of lifts etc so that i could get there, aren't open water swimmers wonderful!. In the end i spoke to Emma who was organising the auditions and it was decided that it was too far for me to travel at such short notice and that could i send some footage of me swimming in the open water instead. HD camera (borrowed) at the ready and off i headed to Ellerton lake, the weather wasn't too bad and rather amazingly i had the lake to myself (spared my blushes) whilst i did as Emma requested....even footage of me walking...now ordinarily i just do it one foot in front of another...but all of a sudden i had to think about it..did i wiggle, sashy, slump, drag my feet, did my thighs look big, did i walk like a duck.....oh the dilemia's!!. Video's are here...laugh til you vomit!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM7dAHmtmos&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvxZCCP4-vc&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvjhDXVhdXc&feature=autoplay&list=ULFUrjKnBGP1k&lf=mfu_in_order&playnext=1

Hastily getting changed i dashed home to upload the video and email it off to Emma. Then came the wait. Do i post on facebook what i was doing and possibly make a fool of myself or should i just keep my mouth shut. So post away i did, better that i make a fool of myself i thought than someone making a fool of me!. The comments that came through were really heart warming and made me feel quite special.

Again normal life resumed and during another break from domestic life i checked the emails....with the words The director viewed your footage and would really like you to attend. Would you be able to come down to meet us? in it, double gulp, it was put up or shut up time. I duly spoke to Emma, who gave me all the details. Slightly confused i came off the phone trying to figure out why they were going to see me in a swimming pool!But there i was getting up at 4am on Saturday morning and driving down to Chelsea's National Sports centre, in London.

The journey down thankfully was uneventful, but did afford me the most wonderful sunrise,     what a wonderful way to start the day. Typical London traffic added 40 minutes onto the journey as certain drivers in their inherant rush to reach their destination changed lanes at will, forgot to look in mirrors or even that they had indicators...why is it that sat nav's don't adjust for this.

Thankfully we arrived in plenty of time to have a look at the venue. Entering the building i asked the woman at reception where i was to go, oh she said you will be in the diving pool. Oh i could feel a Mr Bean moment coming on, it had been years since i had dived. If you have not seen it here is the link on YouTube -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4cmrMJul1g

Before i could inquire further Emma glided into the reception area with her crew in tow, full of cheer and with a fantastic attitude towards swimmers.And what a fab bunch they were, very into what i was oing, full of questions and full of stories or their wonderful careers.   No chance of backing out now i thought.! Emma soon had us gathered up and poolside, there were seven of us in total. Now you know that feeling you have when you see a face and think to yourself....i know you. but can't remember where from...i was looking at five of those faces and thinking this!!! Where they doing the same i wondered!!!

Emma came to confirm details then wandered off to the diving area, we sat chatting....now given that the film was meant to be about open water swimming i naturally presumed (maybe i shouldn't have) that we would all be open water swimmers...but no, i was in the presence of the swimming elite. A pro diver (and trainee stunt woman), an ex pro back stroker, two Olympic hopefuls (for 2012),a pro butterfly and an ex Olympian and common wealth medal winner, one other woman who arrived late and none of us got to know oh and then there's me...the only open water swimmer. Normally i would have found this intimidating company especially when they started talking times (in seconds) for lengths, swims they had done, places they had swam, those that had swim portfolios, agents etc..instead i found it quite amusing that 4 of those i was sat with did not even realise that the film was about open water swimming.

Feeling a naughty sense of humour coming on, which i tried for all of three seconds to contain, i waited for them to finish postulating then informed them that the film was about open water swimming. Total silence!!! I could feel bubbles of laughter starting to rise as i desperately tried to keep a straight face. Well i thought to myself if i did not get to play the part of the open water swimmer at least i could make sure that i enjoyed myself today. For swimmers so knowledgeable about pool swimming they knew nothing of open water swimming. A nonchalent comment from my right brought the bubbles of laughter to the surface....'thats ok, i'll just get in and swim fast and it will be fine'. Trying to control my laughter amid the confused faces in front of me i chose my words carefully.. swimming in open water IS NOTHING LIKE POOL SWIMMING i informed then...still more blank looks. No nice neat squares of water, no sides to hang on to, very rarely clear water, no chlorine, weather conditions, water temperatures, fish and weed. Gulps from two of them, pale faces from several others!

A volley of questions came my way, one woman declared that she had just had her hair dyed and would not want the colour messed up....i hasten to add that she had turned up in full make up to do a swim film casting!!! Time to get changed...some had swimsuits on already so just stripped off...i can tell you it was hard work keeping my jaw closed as superb athletic bodies revealled themselves, one male was in particular was worthy of  a pause in breath!! The pain i was prepared to suffer for my art!!! Duly changed we sat waiting in the heat of the pool area....after the open water the air in the pool seemed stifling. Two in front of me then it was my turn. As i had already sent in video they did not need to see me go through the whole session like the others which was a shame, so i had to swim several laps, then continiously dive and swim round the divers who were filming me in the water. Then the final bit was to lie on your back while they photographed you.

Easy really, but given that we were not able to see how each other was doing it did make the nerves bounce around abit. Job done....it had to be said...there was a 50 metre pool calling me...can i ...yes they said so in i dived!!!!

The pool, both for filming and for swimming was unbeleivably warm, too warm in fact, one woman stated that if you got in at 5 am it was 1 degree colder...colder???? I was red hot, and it was that that drove me from the water. After getting changed it was time to say goodbye to Emma and her crew.  

I must say the experience was a wonderful one, i have never been filmed before swimming, not seen the footage but it was great to know that it was happening. Emma has promised to send over what they got of me so that will be fantastic to see. The organisers and crew were wonderful, interested in open water swimming and made it an overall exciting project to be a part of.Emma told me she would try to let me know by friday so after saying my goodbyes, it was time to get back in the car and head home..along the way...sunset, which again was a sight to behold!

 

Home, feed the cats and bed......checking the emails almost on an hourly basis in the few days that followed...nothing. Then i get the phone call, Emma, i didn't get it. Never mind, its one of those things, i made their discision hard to make, after all i have the experience and the back ground...but after much arguement (some apparently wanted me), they went with the young man who will have the part. Its not all doom and gloom though, this 18 year old has never been in open water so i have the task of getting him open water ready. Am i bitter, nope, it was a hoot and a lovely experience, tv and film is not an accurate protral of real life, the fact that i expected it to be is my own illusion to be shattered, it will be interesting to see that the finished article is like. Fingers crossed this young manwho as yet i am will not name..but who will be coming to my home to be put through his paces, i have between two days and a week ( its not been determined yet) to get him into the water and used to swimming in it. As for cold water acclimatisation well i shall do my best but those of us that do open water swimming know its something you don't get used to in a week, but if he can put in the work i will get him as ready as i can...and you know me i will blog about it!!!

Oh and a special mention to the team of Jetprint in Whitby (www.coast2.co.uk) to say thanks for reading the blogs, but now get back to work :) x If you wish a challenge can be laid.....a suitable design for the group.....and maybe a t-shirt or fleece/hoodie (size 8) for me to show them off, IF you are interested you know how to contact me.....just incase...pauline_squire@sky.com...i will give you details . Oh aren't i terribly forward.....but you know i will blog the product to death and back xxxx Enjoy this one  and let me know what you think....but seriously get back to work now !!!

Securing a new venue

Securing a New Venue!

Last year I entered a race..arrived at the venue to discover that it had fish...lots of them and highly visible!!!!! The venue was Capenwray Dive Centre, i could literally feel the fear embedding itself in my body......i can not swim with ....them. Used to swimming in cold dark water the thought of clear and clean really appealed, but now i was standing on the jetty it took every ounce of my being not to get back in the car and vanish into the night.

The lure of the water was too much though, with heart literally in mouth, i entered the water, eyes firmly on the little one inch fish swarming around my legs....the big one's i could just see in my peripheral vision, oh please do not let them come near me!. Breast stroking round to the starting point so i would not have to look down at was potentially underneath me, i tucked my legs up as far up to my chest as i could, the Jaws theme tune booming though my head. The chat and laughter of the other swimmers seemed to come from afar.

Before you could say jack spratt the horn had sounded and we were off. The first lap swimming front crawl was mentally painful and although my body was going though the motions my mind was on thoughts of getting swallowed alive by two foot fish. The second lap started and i began to relax into the spirit of things, by the third i was kicking myself for letting the small matter of hundreds of fish interfere with a race. My time i knew would be bad. But i finished, pleased with myself for getting over the fear of fish....that said i did not linger in the water long enough to have them come and say hello. With Capenwray being a dive centre the fish are friendly, they are used to divers feeding them, at that point i could not see the attraction.

The next race, i was mentally ready...found i could talk to other competitors without my eyes wandering in fear towards the water. The race passed off without incident.....plans formulating in my head as i sped round. Could i....would i be allowed to put on a social swim here....imagine not having to rush round unless i wanted to. After all i was used to the fish by now but other things had caught my eye in the water...and they needed further exploration at slower speeds.

Making inquires through out the year met with a firm NO, its races only, so frustrating......but nothing i could do about it. Did i want the hassle of finding timing chips and mats, canoeists, first aiders, additional buoys, advertising etc....not really, something for the future maybe but not for now. Then out of the blue, a phone call from a friend gave me information i had been trying to hear for over a year....was it true...i had to check it out.

Phoning Capenwray, i was told that due to the popularity of the venue and because of the number of inquiries they had had to swim there socially they would consider opening it up for social swims, and in fact the information i had been given before (baring in mind i had made numerous enquiries) was in fact wrong.....and i could have been swimming there all year round! Right, armed with this information the computer went straight on and the Mass Private swim was organised. This late in the year with water temperatures tumbling rapidly it would feel almost tropical to swim in 14 degrees. Swim organised i happily sat back...secretly pleased with myself for securing this venue. As long as it is open we can swim there, if i organise other private swims there, we could be accommodated and as we found out on Saturday, welcomed. Am i pleased....oh yes over the moon, the venue welcome children in the water too so these swims really could be a family event, introducing the next generation to the open water...fantastic!!! Now i really was looking forward to the Mass swim....little did i know how events would unfold to make it an really amazing day!!!...Look out for more in the blog titled The Lone Swimmer v Mass Private Swim.. coming soon!!!! This adventure has not ended yet!!!! So many swims so little time to blog...but i will get there believe me!!!