Five members of the Weymouth Bay Sea Swimmers Club swam in quite challenging conditions 10 miles from Lulworth Cove to Weymouth beach on Sunday.
Not like a few lengths in the pool…
In preparation all the swimmers had done several swims of up to six miles in different conditions – Jason West, Andrea Hawkins and I headed from near Greenville Gardens to just off Osmington and back. While no Channel swim, this is not for ordinary folk who can swim a few kms in the pool. You have to deal with different temperatures that can leave you cold and your muscles seizing up, the salt (that would make one swimmer quite sick) as well as opposing currents – imagine how your knackered body feels when every other stroke you take is to stem the current and the other to make progress?
For serious distances you need a fair bit of support. During the six milers the swimmers had some sustenance in the form of sports gels, but they also needed water, juice and some even bananas. These were looked after by kayakers.
I was one of the essential but rare kayakers who escorted the two teams. I discovered the hard way you need to be a bit more than an experienced sailor to do it. You need to be fit as it will be 10 miles in the differing conditions half a day at sea can provide. You need eyes in the back of your head in case a half blind jet skier comes at the swimmers (and prepared to take them on to stop the swimmers being hit), and you need a well set up canoe.
For safety the team had two seagoing boats to go with the swimmers.
Stepping off…
At 1150 the swimmers went in to the water, their dry gear stowed on the safety boat and provisions kept on the kayaks. They swum through Durdle Dor and a mile or so later, Bat’s Cave and on down the way.
The seas built in a wind over tide situation so swimmers and kayakers alike dealt with 2-3ft seas as they battled north. The sea breeze made it fun for the kayakers while the current made it fun for the swimmers. Opposing at times they built a boisterous sea…
I would make a tit of myself by not setting up my canoe properly and after three feeds my back was in such a state I was brought aboard the safety boat off Osmington Mills. One of the swimmers, her stomach empty from vomiting and weakening was taken aboard about a mile later.
Some issues with navigation forced the two remaining swimmers to fight the current even as their arms and legs were screaming “NO MORE!!!” Even so, after around five hours in the water the leading pair made the beach and an hour later the two remaining in the second pack.
A regular event?
It is hoped that more swimmers and more kayakers can be found for next year (and another kayak for me as opposed to the back killing raft I was using…). If you think this could be fun, be aware the club wants people who will train for months ahead. I see one of them posting on Facebook about their weekend swims year round: “Five degrees and a bit chilly so I did a quick two miles…”. If you’re a fat burger like me then you’d better get your Speedos on now if you think you’ll be ready for next July. Not a bad way to become a slim, fit fighting machine again as you can burn 2000 calories an hour!
Kayakers are as essential for the swim as swimmers. We are also as rare as hen’s teeth. If you want to volunteer to support them as a kayaker or swimmer, say hello to the Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/weybayseaswimmers/about/
(If I have the right boat for the job), see you next year! 
Richard Shrubb
