Eastbourne Sea Swimmers

11/10/2026

Sunday11th Oct. 9am. With no wind it felt quite warm in spite of 10deg.C air temp.. By the time we got out the overcast sky was breaking up giving us a boost of radiant heat for dressing. High tide about half twelve with a calm sea. About twenty swimmers. Although the counter current was stronger than yesterday with it being for the outward leg and in the calm conditions I don't think anyone had a problem especially knowing they would benefit from a helpful push back for the return. The water temp. close to shore was noticeably colder than further out and the discussion back on shore put it down to the incomming and shallow water being cooled as it came in over the cold shingle. Happy and contented gathering back on the beach. Some concern did develop about one swimmer who was relatively unknown to the group and who was still in, but not in sight, when the rest of us were out of the water. For him the early reversal of the tidal flow may have been a surprise. As he was in a wetsuit and both sea and weather were fair I had little concern for his safety.

10/10/2026

Saturday 10th Oct. 15+swimmers. Mainly sunny if a bit chilly (11 to 13 deg. C) in the breeze. Mainly sunny with a few clouds. HT at 11.40am. A slight sea. Apart from us hardly any activity on the beaches or in/on the sea. Three skins and a suit or two to the first pylon (?), at least one round the pier plus and me to the pier (20mins out and 13mins back). I'm missing the warm air and hot sun already and I think/feel the surface water temp. must have dropped a couple of degrees.

10/10/2026

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10/10/2026

04/10/2026

Sunday Oct. 4th, 9 am. Blue sky, bright sun, no wind, a calm sea with low tide at about mid day. I gave up counting swimmers at about twenty but I was told there were at least 26 ! Skins and suits going the usual range of distances and directions with all comming out smilling. Me to the pier in 13mins. and back in 20mins. The only problem for me was, on the return leg, every time I rotated to breath the low sun dazzled me! - another reason thatI should have developed bi-lateral breathing. The water was relatively clear so while groyne hopping on the return I could see and avoid swimming into them. It realy felt like a pleasant summer's day while drying and dressing after the swim.

26/09/2026

Saturday 26th Sept. 9am. Apart from the missing Seaford to Cuckmere swim/walk people there were at least fifteen swimmers going from the Langham. It felt a bit chilly on the beach with an air temp. 13 - 14 deg. C and with a strong breeze. Blue sky with high level thin cloud. An almost flat calm sea about 3hrs. before high tide. I think it was the first time this summer/autumn that my face "told me" that the water had got a bit chilly. Swimming close in I also noticed the warmer and colder patches which I associate with the vertical movement of the water due to the tidal flow interacting with the groynes. As usual various distances were swam but I don't think any went beyond the first pylon. I went to the pier in about 18mins. then back to Splash Point, which could be 300m further, also in 18mins. then back to the Langham beach. A round trip of 2 km in about 45mins. All seemed to enjoy their invigorating swim. The sun/air had got warmer so changing and chatting on the beach was pleasant.

20/09/2026

Sunday, 2oth Sept. A "special" going from Poo Castle/Sewage works to Holywell, about 5.5km, for eight from ESS and about the same number from Tri Tempo. High tide about 6am so needed an early start, 7.30am, to avoid running into the shallows/reefs at Holywell. A cloudy night and morning, along with only a light breeze, kept the air temp. pleasant. A moderate sea, with significant waves comming at us from the West, luckily they were well spaced/rounded so were not too much of a problem although they did make it harder work. Sighting ahead and/or seeing others of the group not buddied with you was difficult due the wave height. No jet skis, sail boats etc. to disturb our swim. The skin swimmers were as cold tolerant as usual and I was happy suited. All seemed happy with their swim. I was pleased with my time of 1hr 47mins and not (???) being the slowes . The hardest bit for me was the climb back up the Holywell slope and steps with the weight of my wet gear.!
Other swimmers were at the Langham beach as usual.

19/09/2026

Saturday Sept. 19th 9am. In spite of rain/drizzle, 100% cloud, a strong and gusty wind plus a rough sea we still were over twenty swimmers. About 2hrs. 20mins before low tide. The waves were big enough to have to dive under most on the way in. Some swam to and/or round the pier but some may have swam further. I just went to the Metropole (13mins.) going with the tide and then back in 9mins going with the waves but against the tide. No problem getting out as the beach had a gentle slope by then. A bit wet and "miserable" changing in the drizzle but not yet particularly cold. I did not hang around for the social time as I had a family gatheriing at home to help prepare for.

13/09/2026

Sunday Sept. 13th. Low tide 7.40am. 100% cloud. A slight sea. About twenty swimmers (not all the same as yesterday!) Beach fishermen to be aware of. As usual I'm not sure were everyone went (but all came back!). I think the furthest distances were one or two to the 2nd pylon, some to the 1st pylon (me taking an extra minute to get there but the same for the return - 38 and 21 minutes), some to the pier then back via Splash Point and ???? We were pleased that the threatened rain and the stronger wind held off. The warm air allowed for no rush to get off the beach after the swim. Many then over to the Langham.

12/09/2026

Saturday 12th Sept. Over 20 swimmers. A bright, sunny morning. Two hours after low tide. Sea almost calm but it was picking up. At least five to second pylon, some to the pier plus a range of distances between the Langham and the pier; and me (and others?) to the first pylon. The strength of the tidal flow can be judged by my times - 37mins. out and 21mins. back. Pleasantly warm back on the beach.