Freezing February

Embassy Pool, Skegness, Waiting for the Summer.

Well it's a cold, cold February and we haven't had an outdoor swim since NYD. However, we're already plotting and planning for the warmer days of Spring with a trip over to the lovely Hathersage (heated - yeh!) pool on 31st March. 

To keep our spirits up here's a picture of the outdoor Embassy Pool at Skegness on a recent trip I had over to the coast. It looked fairly inviting and certainly peaceful.  It's quite a nice pool - 25 m at it's longest and a decent size to swim in. But, I can't help feeling a bit sad about the beauty it replaced around 2000; the 'old' original big outdoor pool is now a car park. Now isn't there a song about that - paradise into parking lot?  Good for East Lindsey DC though for keeping a corner of the original space for outdoor swimmers. 

Just found this link to an amazing picture of the original swimming pools - yes more than one - it really did look stunning in this shot from 1981 http://www.skegnessphotos.co.uk/displayimage.php?pid=875 Ah, what a shame it's gone.

And here's one from earlier days - lots of spectators.

A Double Dip Day to Start 2012

And we have got off to a flying start on the outdoor swimming - sans wetsuits. Not sure if the economy is heading for a double dip this year but we were not satisfied with one dip only and went back for seconds on our New Year's Day 'Dash and Dip' yesterday at Mablethorpe. Thankfully the weather was kind to us, unlike last year's freezing conditions, and it felt bearable to run down the beach to the inviting brown surf of the North Sea. And this year we had a 'Third Man' - that is James the 10 year nephew who supported us by getting in too. He is now committed for every year to come.

Either I'm getting more climatised to the cold water and standing around in the elements almost undressed, or it really was mild for the time of year, but I managed to hold on to a cup of post-swim coffee without shaking uncontrollably.

We should have some good photos from Kevin on camera duty - and will post up here once we have them. Belinda's video attempt didn't seem to capture us - rather more sand than sea - but it is on our You Tube link.

Here's to 2012 and some great outdoor swimming.

Last Gasp of 2011?

Haggard pic says it all...it's been a tough "festive" season for this summer loving waterblogged sister...

...but, got a chance to get out today and bask in those 10 degrees air temp, made me a little stupid and before you know it I'm standing in four layers looking wistfully at the lake wondering if I'm brave enough..

The decision was made for me in 2009 and 2010 - the lake was frozen solid by mid Nov for the last two years. This year I'm looking at double figure air temps, gawd knows what the water is registering, but it looks clear, calm and I know I'll feel ready to face anything after a quick dip

Toughest thing is getting all those bloody layers off, but then I'm standing like a loon ankle deep in leaf litter in my kind of superfluous cozzie ... now there's no time to contemplate, just commit and go for it!!! Ouch! Bloody cold, circulation struggling between shut down and melt down !!!

Hey ho! December 27th....my latest swim of the year so far - and has gee'd me up for NY Day in the North Sea avec ma souer d'eau xx

Is this the first Lido Swim of 2012?

Hathersage Pool in Derbyshire have posted up their Spring Swim - Saturday 31st March  http://www.facebook.com/events/287315037972134/   that's Early Doors and very welcome too. In fact it's only (almost) 3 months away so start those countdown clocks. Forget the distraction of the Olympic countdown, it's the Lido Opening Dates that are the focus here.

And breaking news from Joe at Jubilee Pool (that's Jubilee, Lincs not Cornwall!) first day of opening is
5th May.

Time to source some new swim wear I think.

Stormy Seas

 Photos taken last week on a visit to Mabo. The waves were thundering in and a bitterly cold wind was blowing. Looks set about right then for the New Year's Day Swim. Perfect conditions.

: )

Getting up a Crowd for Winter Dip

http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/index.php?p=events&s=&id=81

He, he, somehow I don't think the Waterblogged Sisters' New Year's Day Dash and Dip will attract the same numbers that the OSS's Winter Swim at Parliament Hill is likely to bring in - 200 last year?! Ah well, start small and slow is my motto thankfully.

: )

NYD Dash and Dip

I've changed the event name from Dash and Splash after someone pointed out that sounded a little bit like an emergency 'wee' stop. So we are 'committed' to our customary New Year's Day Swim - this time at Mablethorpe Beach (Handy RNLI lifeboat nearby).  The event is open to Blue Sky Swimming members only - it is not a public swim - but anyone can spectate and be there to hold towels, fetch hot drinks, take photos and have generally have a laugh at our expense.

Here's Mabo looking rather fashionably retro - just not intentionally.