Eastbourne Sea Swimmers

Sunday 14th 9am. Sunny but a cooling breeze. A calm sea at about the turn of the, incoming, tide. Ran out of fingers and toes to count all the swimmers! As usual others swam faster and some slower than me, some further and some less far, some suits and some skins. One now swimming for 6 hours! All seemed content with their swim.

Saturday 13th June. River Arun 3.8km swim for me and a couple of others from ESS. As usual with 300 or so competitors to organize there is significant "hanging around" time but also as usual it is well organized. Sunny but with a brisk cooling breeze. The start is in the water and a bit hectic but unless you are serious about winning you can avoid most of it. You can't avoid people getting in you way or getting in someone's way but as you progress down river it gets less of a "problem". I always get a boost in the last kilometer as the river narrows and you can appreciate assist of the outgoing tide as you (almost) whizz past the moored boats. Gets a bit hectic again as you get together to exit up the finishing ramp. Fastest was about 40 mins., slowest about twice that so I was content with 57 mins. The other Eastbourne swimmers faster.

Sunday 7th June, 9am. Sky less grey than yesterday, wind less strong, air less cold, only a little light drizzle and breakers/waves less large - I think the expression is damming with faint praise! Actually it was pleasant enough. We had a good number of swimmers including a least one "new" swimmer and a few less regular/frequent swimmers. I think a couple of skins were going to be in for at least four hours; other distances include one (?) to second pylon, a handful to first pylon, others to, through or round the pier plus other shorter distances. Me to the pier in about 25 mins and back in 14 mins. All seemed content with their swim.

Saturday June 6th, 9am. 13 deg.C, strong wind, grey sky and rain - back to a normal summer ! Surprised to find one other swimmer sheltering in the bus shelter when I arrived. Two more swimmers and two supporters arrived not long after. About an hour before low tide with a rough sea so waves breaking from a long way out. When walking in I was surprised there was no lateral flow. Walking out, diving through the breakers, swimming a few strokes then diving again; was fun but it was not possible to get beyond the breakers. Not long in we found the expected tidal flow had developed so were being pushed East.; even when walking. After a little while a couple decided get out and walk up to the Metropole and swim back. With the tidal flow the swim back was quicker than the walk there! Good fun. Rather wet getting changed back on the beach so not much chatting.

Sunday 31st May 9am. HT 12.10pm so tidal flow going East. At least four in already with two of them doing a 90 min. swim. 100% cloud cover, a bit of a breeze and the air cooler so did not get overheated before the swim. Lots (15+) of swimmers, regulars, irregulars and new. Some to second pylon, some to first pylon, some through the pier to the first buoy and other lesser distances (me to the pier in 21mins and back in 15mins). I think some even did a bit of swim-run (??). Warm enough back on the beach but less so than yesterday.

Saturday 30th May: 9am. Lots of swimmers; too many to count but by looking at the piles of clothes on the beach after the swim we didn't loose anyone. Mainly blue sky and bright sun but a good breeze ,with the air just a bit cooler, gave great, rather than o.t.t., conditions on the beach. The water has now got distinctly warm/less cold so the warmer and colder patches are obvious while swimming. A calm sea two hours 20 mins. before high tide. As expected, with the tidal flow reversing a couple of hours before high tide, those that swam the furthest West got the flow against them in both directions! I did the round trip to the pier in about 36 mins. so had it with me all the way back. Most, but not all, in skins with me happy enough in a shorty. Warm enough post swim that some felt tempted to have a second swim; resisted by all

Bank Holiday Monday 25th. 10am. The trouble with near perfect conditions is that once you've said that there is not much more to say. Sea calm but could be a bit warmer, clear blue sky and warm air - like a good summers day. Lots a smiling faces. All enjoyed their swims whatever the distance, direction and time.

Sunday 24th 9am. Another lovely day for a swim. Plenty there but not me.

Saturday 23rd 9am. Blue sky, bright sun, warm air and a calm sea. LT at 11.40 am . Twenty or more swimmers ; including some "new" swimmers and one back after a long absence due injury. At least two doing a 2 hours pre Channel swim and others doing the variety of distances and times as usual. As expected the tidal flow was to the West (me 14 mins to the pier and 20 mins back) so some headed East to get "help" for their return leg. Like a good summer's day back on the beach.

A grey hoodie was left on the beach today. It’s hanging on the groyne.