The Sea Breezers in Poole - 28 April 2012

Mastering swimming in the Sea was always going to be the toughest step. So apart from our one Dover swim in September 2011 and our various holidays this was the first Sea Breezers swim. Whilst the weather on Friday was glorious blue sky and gentle waves, 7am Saturday morning proved a little different, the rain, wind and cold returned during the night to sap any warmth we'd built up from the toasty bagels and hot tea breakfast.

Bob Holman, our new best friend, chairman of the East Dorset Open water swimming association, and all round fantastic guy met us, in the rain, on the beach at 8am, an incredible response to my 'fair maiden call for help'. This, after my Uncle Paul (and Aunty Mary who we were staying with), said he would not support us going into a new sea without a clear picture of the tides, the risks and the areas we should swim in. Thank goodness we did, Bob guided us in the route to swim, walked along the shore to keep an eye on us, and coached us on how to cope properly in the cold (stay fit, so you can keep up the stroke, which means the core stays warm) - "Seeemples", Big hats off though, as confident as the four of us were, the safety and assurance of having an expert close by was just wonderful.

Thank Bridget for taking the picture!

So, what of the swim? We made the decision to wear wetsuits, in the rain, wind and cold, we decided it was more important to do the swim, learn about our reactions to the waves, the cold on our heads and the gagging from salt water, rather than get too cold and only last for a short time. An hour in, just under 2 miles, and the only one swimming straight was Sarah, why doesn't the sea have lines on the bottom!!

Niki's parents also joined us on the beach, Richard being stir crazy after a hip operation (and then marching around on the sand with his crutches!!), and Susie being a great mum ready with the umbrella and a hug, and then looking after Moralee's wetsuit (yes she went in for the last 20 minutes in a swimsuit - she's well hard). One swim down, Chilblains, Frozen limbs, Bruised chafed necks, but all worth it, Brighton in 2 weeks, Eton 3k swim in 4 weeks, and the schedule continues...getting in the sea proved that we can all do it, we can swim for an hour, and that the rain, the choppy sea and the cold are just part of the ever changing landscape, in the words of some great philosopher

Go Big or Go Home