Paradise.
But I feel that my body has been usurped by some kind of crazy physically active being, which kept telling me that I felt like doing something. Utter craziness.
And so I found myself looking at emails from different groups that I had contacted to ask if I could join in, and found a reply from an open water swimming group. "Check out our Facebook page for details." If it involves Facebook, I don't need asking twice - and found that Jonathan is closely involved with the group.
A few reassuring emails later (from Johnathan to me, mine were more like "AHHHH, I'll DIIIEEE!.") we agreed to meet at beach hut 207 at around 10am.
As we arrived, a small number of wet suit clad swimmers were standing around chatting, pointing at the sea discussing wind- and tide direction. More and more people of all ages, abilities and levels of covered-up-ness arrived. If you've read my blog on aquaaerobics you'll know my feelings about being in public in a swim suit, but I felt entirely comfortable among this group. Everyone was there because they wanted to be, and no-one had any interest in what I look like. Everyone was welcoming and welcome.
Johnathan talked me through some basic information on how to best avoid hitting the rocks and how to recognise the first signs of hypothermia, whilst I picked up from the chatter around us that a number of people had come directly from the Parkrun. I'm still gobsmacked that people are willing to move more than once a week, but twice in one day... and some of them were talking of cycling home afterwards. It's like a new universe!
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| A big shout out to my best husband, for coming along, watching my stuff, having a warm towel ready at the end and for being made impromptu photographer for all picture requirements.
Once everyone was wearing their brightly coloured swimming hats for safety reasons, we were off into the water - some had announced that they had a busy day ahead and would only do the 2 mile round swim, others were weary of the choppy waves and encouraged me to come along for a quick "bob in the water." Everyone was free to do as much or as little as they wanted / felt comfortable with.
Whilst I did feel fairly cold (my standard setting for all life situations) standing at the beach, I still felt that - overall - the sea looked very pleasant with its jolly waves splashing joyously against the sand. I reassured myself that I could probably swim an OK distance within an acceptable time frame.
You can hear the "however", can't you. Once I was in the water I realised that the "fun" waves are actually probably tools of mental torture. For every hard earned stroke, they pushed me back two steps. I don't know how long I was actually in the water, but I do know that I did not move. I guess I can be proud of the fact that I managed to stay in place rather than being dragged backwards, although it was later suggested that I could have just swam "with the wind" rather than against it. There's always next time. The same "next time" where I will wear goggles to avoid swimming with a backwards-bent neck like a toffee-nosed crane.
Luckily, Johnathan kept me company, and whilst I didn't achieve very much today, I had a lovely chat and thus swallowed about a gallon of salty water. Once I felt my arms getting tired I started making my way back to the beach, accompanied by two other members. "See", I thought to myself "you're not so bad. These guys are already done in, too, and they have been coming here for months." It was only when they brought me back to the beach safely and then headed out for their actual swim that I realised that looking after me had been their warm up.
Back on firm ground, I realised just how cold I had been - the shaking only stopped once Matthew treated me to a sweet coffee, a restaurant lunch and a new (Charity Shop) dress.
So, was it worth it?
1. Absolutely - but if you join a group, check out what their requirements and standards are. If you cannot swim at all, I would suggest lessons first. I am confident with breast stroke, but not so much with crawl, and whilst this group would be the perfect place to improve my skills, I think I need to learn the basics separately.
2. With this particular group it was a requirement to wear a bright swimming hat so that you can be seen in case of an emergency. Goggles, wetsuits and floats were optional, but retrospectively they do seem to be a good idea. Some people had floats with waterproof bag compartments to carry phones, keys etc. I also wore sea shoes, knowing that my delicate princess feet don't like the pebbles.
3. I do generally enjoy swimming in a pool, but I don't like the faff around it (the getting changed etc.) What really frustrates me however is the lane swimming. I used to go regularly, but found that the slow lane (where I very clearly belong) was regularly hijacked by groups wanting to discuss the latest BBC Radio 4 Drama 4 people wide (and ideally practising their tutting if I tried to overtake). It wasn't too bad if they stood completely still as I could swim around them - it became a bit more tricky when they were doing the "pretend you are swimming with your arms whilst you are actually walking very slowly with your feet" dance. I'm not complaining about people being slow or trying their best to improve - it's what I am all about. But it left me without options, as I couldn't move in the slow lane, but equally knew that I definitely do not belong in the fast lane. Swimming in the sea has allowed me to swim exactly at my speed, and even though there were a large number of people, there was space to move in the direction and style and pace that I wanted to.
4. If you have read my blog before you know that I am sometimes reluctant to join with something in fear of holding other people back. Whilst Johnathan kindly stayed with me during my on-the-spot struggles, it was very clear that everyone does what they want - there is not a team aim or a team goal or a team approach. There is safety in numbers, and people look out for each other but everyone does their own thing.
5. I really enjoyed the sense of community - I felt very warmly welcomed as a newby, but it was also clear that many people knew each other well. Equally I found that the more experienced swimmers were more than happy to give advise and support, so whilst I didn't have a lesson as such I still felt I learnt a lot.
6. More than with any other sport so far I felt that my "achievements" are outside of my control. So on a windy rough day you can work super hard and not move at all (that's my excuse, anyway), whilst on a still day or when supported by the current you might achieve great distances. To someone like me, this is great news: I cannot measure myself, I cannot fail, because distance and time are influenced by so many other factors. Basically, what I'm saying is that I would be a great swimmer if it wasn't for all that water.
So, go on, jump in!
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