The ‘Icicles’

Time start thinking about digging out those wetsuits! 🥶

We're back in the water.
First swim of spring 🏊

Stunning morning for a sneaky swim.
A few squeals getting in. Might be time for me to consider busting out the wetsuit.
As for water being 19o ... ummm, me thinks more like 16o with some seriously icy spots in front of The Grand.

It's time to celebrate! Another season of winter swimming under the belt for a brave few. Well done 👏 💪

For the more discerning .. We've kicked off the booties, gloves and hood.
Come on in, the water is perfect!

🌅 🏊 🏊 🐬🐬🐟🐟☕☕☕☕☕☕☕

💙🌊 ❄

I never regret a swim, even the ones where I do my best to get straight back out again.

I'm going to call technical fail, or failure to plan. Having arrived without goggles and paddles, I did my best to conquer 2m swell using a dodgy pair of goggles that were in the back of the car.

Managed to get out back, goggles were less than useless. Without goggles and paddles I couldn't get purchase in the water, especially not against a huge swell and an out going tide.

9 minutes and a bit of good old backstoke I was safely back to shore.

Jo ... Well, Jo made legend status this morning - whether she wanted to or not.

Remembering rule no 1 - no matter what, remain calm, Jo completed her swim. ... Ok, there is the bit about, given the high tide, 2m waves and not wanting to be smashed onto rocks, she had no choice but to commit and keep going.

We both learned a lot today. All possitive.

Rule 1. Keep calm!

Other things identified:

1. Determine safe entry / exit points in both directions.
2. If needs be, walk the 400m and enter off the sandy beach, rather than the habitual stairs. Sandy entrance means sandy exit ... Doh!
3. Remain calm ... You got this.
4. Once you go in, you've got to commit.
5. Oh, and don't forget your goggles! And, if you do, make sure the spares in the car are a decent pair.

Oh, coffee tasted good this morning 🌊 ☕.

While not a lot really happens on this page, trust me, there's still action in the water.

🌅 ❄ 🌊 🐬 🏊🏊 ☕

Soon to be ...

🌅 ☀ 🌊 🐬 🏊 🏊 🏊 🏊 🏊 🏊 🏊... ☕

Message if you'd like to come out and play.

The company gets a bit thinner in winter, but the coffee's even better.

Stunning autumn morning swimming with the eagle rays 😍.

Water temperature slowly dropping. 1mm bathers this morning. Definitely time for hotwater bottle and ugg boots post swim.

How did you greet sunrise this morning? 🌅
The water is still warm, though the dawn a little chilly.