Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

Well the BIG 50 this year and to celebrate decided a menopausal swim over the solent was in order. Big day is the 18th July but if the tides are not right then a date in August is the fallback.

I'm hoping to miss the many ships, tankers and other craft that transit the Solent on a daily basis. However my biggest fear is the Royal Navy; their track record to date for hitting things is very high. Obviously lost the skill base that was there 10 years ago!! 

Anyone picking this up through the emails thanks for logging on and those surfing please feel free to contribute as its all in a good cause.

The aim of the swim is not to contribute to the bottom life of the solent but to reach the side; possibly Yarmouth - hopefully not Cherbourg.

Thanks everyone - lets hope I dont sink!!

Russ

Update July 20th 2009

Well I was like a coiled wet rope on Friday in anticipation of the days swim the following day. Then the message came in that it had been postponed due to high winds and unfavourable currents. Afterall we dont want a shipping hazard in the English Channel!

It has been postponed to the 15/16th August so two possible days now.

I did feel brave and decide to go in on Saturday despite the large waves. After about  30 minutes was around 300-400 meters from the shore and well onto an unassited and very individual crossing of my own. Took all my unconsiderable effort to get back. The Leisure Time Coordinator (Wife) was on the shore side with the dog - unsure whether she was happy or sad to see me ( I do know she has checked out the Insurance situation!!) but the dog was which made up for it.

Anyway more time to collect pledges which I know you have all been very gracious so far - Thank You!

I will keep you all updated as the weeks go by

Russ

 

Update 18th August 2009

The swim was due this Saturday, raring to go like a sloth on prozac.

This time I managed to convince the missus to support me, so in tow (along with the youngest daughter who didnt want to support but had no choice in it. Unfortunately her worst fears would be realised, photographed with her Dad wearing his speedos- Oh the shame of it!) we all travelled down to Lymington, New Forest.

Before we left I checked my emails, no recalls- we were on for it!!

Unfortunately the swim, due to the tides, was to commence at 1700 so we hit traffic including every caravan, lorry and three wheeler on the South Coast. Stuck in traffic we were at one point overtaken in Brockenhurst by one of those disabled scooters and I'm damn sure the guy had a very smug look!

We then hit Lymington and the SatNav took me through the most direct route - the High street.

Direct it was, fast it wasn't.; for those not in the know Saturday at Lymington High Street is Market Day and we hit it as everyone was closing up.

Ho Hum!

After 2 hours we had covered the distance which normally would have taken me 30 minutes. Great lets find registration. In the Yacht Club it was earily silent with no-one about - apart from a notice board in the middle with Solent Swim - cancelled!

I checked the phone - text just in - event cancelled - Vodafone held up the text for almost 3 hours

Ho Hum!!

In defence of the organisers they have a particulary hard decision either go ahead and risk losing people or cancel.

Obviously you err to the former especially when palms are greased by the missus!

Looking out of the window I bet you all thought "What a sunny day - good day for Russ's swim". Unfortunately not; weather was blowing a hoolay in the Solent  and the prospect of rounding up 60 swimmers all with different aptitudes using canoes, lasoos and kazoos (well not the last one but it did rhyme nicely!) would prove difficult in the large seas and winds in the solent that day.

So onto another day; I think the aim this time is next best day we go for it. I dont expect a lot of notice.

Too be honest I think I would prefer that!!

It will happen I promise!

Cheers

Russ

 

Update 27th August

Just been told the new swim date is the 27th September - I will be 50 on the day so hopefully a double celebration!

Best the swim takes place this time; dont think I can go all through the New Forest traffic and Lymington Market to get to the start point to many more times!!

Thanks for your support everyone!!!

 

Russ

 

Update 3rd October

Its all been a bit busy at work and I really havent had any time to update the site let alone train for the swim!! Seem to have been away more than when I was in the Mob!!

The swim went ahead on Sunday 27th. I was working in Scotland but travelled down to take part (travelled back to the work straight afterwards!). Weather was great and it looked finally we would be ready to swim.

We all got transported to the Island with the aim to swim back. All 60 of us started off about 5 in the afternoon and the aim was to complete within 2 hours. I waited for all the racing snakes to set off then tucked in behind them with the aim to follow them across.

This didnt work as visibilty was down to inches so just closed my eyes and 'got in the groove'. This didnt work as I had an irate safety canoesist informing me I was making my way to Hurst Castle which happened to be in the oppoisite direction!

By the time I got half way across I couldnt see anyone or anything (the googles leaked and by this time my eyes were pretty swollen from the salt). Luckliy the canoeist came to my rescue and pointed me in the right direction again.

I finished the swim in around 1 and half hours and came in around 10th a couple of minutes behind the leaders; but awaiting results from the organisers.

Glad I did it but swimmming open water is mind numbingly boring - think I would invest in a waterproof IPOD next time!!

If I looked at my track it probably was all over the place and the time stopping to find my direction added many minutes - I reckon I could easily knock 5-7 minutes of that time as I wasnt particulary tired(just bored!).

Thanks everyomne who sponsored me. Im leaving the site active for a couple of weeks so anyone who is loogging on please donate as Im close to funding two workshops for the kids.

 

Thanks again to everone who donated - very much appreaciated!

Russ

 

 

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