Not alone in the maelstrom!

The wind was 44mph from the south. It was battering the beach hut and for a brief moment I thought I might have to cancel today’s swim, my first cancellation this winter.

Slightly too challenging for safety from where I usually swim

Then I had a peak around the other side of Splash Point and it didn’t look quite so bad. I decided that another 500m was possible and set up outside a beach hut facing Bateman’s Tower.

Making the decision to take on the 44mph wind

Taking extra care getting in the water, to ensure I didn’t end up hung up on the railings or smashed against the wall, once I was in and safely floating on some pretty impressive waves I realised just how warm the water felt. Another temperature increase to 9.7 degrees the water itself wasn't a problem. The biggest challenge in a “big sea” is sighting, i.e. being able to work out exactly where I am. Quiet often as I lifted my head, all I saw was a wall of greyish/brown water. Fortunately there were no other water craft to keep an eye on.

I managed to get to Bateman’s against the tide and then back to Splash Point before having a bit of a weave around the buoys before heading back.

As much as I thoroughly enjoyed today’s swim, what lifted my heart was meeting two young women who had also been in the water the other side of Bateman’s Tower. I met them in the car park as I was about to head home, when I asked how they enjoyed it. I was delighted to find out that one of them was Rachel, who only that morning had donated £50 through any Just Giving site. She told me that she’d been inspired by the whole challenge and wanted to support an excellent cause. So I had not been alone in this amazing sea and was so moved by the kindness and generosity of someone I’d not met before. Wonderful stuff. Thanks Rachel.