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OPEN WATER SURFING Our favourite OWS sites on the web…
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RACES FOR KIDS It’s a shame that the Great Salford Swim hasn’t got a half-mile event open to children under 16. I’ve wanted to give open water swimming a go ever since my dad told me he was going to enter the Great Salford swim. I went to some of the outdoor training sessions but it wasn’t the same without something to work towards. I hope there is an event for children in Salford next year – the other Great Swims are too far to travel. If we want Britain to carry on doing well at open water events, like the Olympics, we need to get people doing outdoor swimming from an early age. Ben Shenton (aged 12), Southport
WIN!
LETTER OF THE MONTH Got something to say about open water swimming? Tell us and you could win a Pool-Mate Pro watch, worth £129.99
THANK YOU! I was the winner of the F3 Events prize in the April issue, and I’m just writing to say thank you for the opportunity to take part in a marvellous 3km evening swim on 16 July at Marlow. It was a very picturesque venue,and a well-organised friendly event. Catherine, the friend who took my guest place, was fi rst female, and I managed to knock fi ve minutes off my PB. Unfortunately we had no support team to take pictures,but we have lots of happy memories! Philippa Moorhead, by email
SITTING ON THE FENCE I enjoyed your Big Debate on the topic of whether you should swim alone. I swim by myself on a Saturday morning at Bosworth Water Park but I’m not alone. It is used by a lot of people and it has safety cover as well. I won't go to a stretch of water that is completely empty of people or safety cover. Like Nicola Marshall, I fi nd the solitude quite
therapeutic aſt er a busy week at work, but I can understand swimming in a group if you are doing a training session for competition. I would swim as a group but I don't know anyone who lives near who likes doing open water swimming. Jonathan Hill, by email Does anyone else train at Bosworth Water Park? Perhaps you could make up a training group with Jonathan?
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THANKS RICK! I have had a weak knee for a number of years and hadn’t thought I would make it through another triathlon due to the run. However, immediately aſt er reading Rick’s advice about challenging yourself (in issue 1 of
H2Open) I saw an advert for the Cotswold 113 Middle Distance Triathlon (half-Ironman) and thought, “What the hell – go for it!” Concerned for my knee, and with less than eight weeks to the event, I elected not to do too much running, but concentrated on lots of fast hill walking to build up my legs, coupled with my usual swim sessions and slightly longer bike rides. On 26 June I completed the event (1.2mi swim, 56mi bike, 13.1mi run) in 5 hours and 5 minutes, although my calves complained about the punishment for the next two days. Thanks to Rick for giving me the motivation to try something I thought was beyond me. I’m sure his words will have inspired others, too. Richard Searle, by email
SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
The Editor, H2Open, 20 Burnell Avenue, Richmond TW10 7YE Email:
info@h2openmagazine.com or go to our website
h2openmagazine.com
Save Bude Sea Pool
budeseapool.net The Save Bude Sea Pool campaign now has its own website where you can learn more about the dedicated campaign to keep this beautiful sea pool open. Take a look at their collection of images from the pool and be inspired to swim next time you’re in Cornwall. Best bit: For £10 you can join the campaign and know your money will be used to keep the pool open.
Open Water Pedia
openwaterpedia.com This open water swimming-focused version of wikipedia is a new online reference and research tool that anyone can update. Use it to fi nd out more about heroes, races, distance challenges or the history of our sport. Best bit: If you know a lot about any aspect of open water swimming, you can upload the information here.
Pathfi nder Charter pathfi
ndercharter.com Want to swim the channel? Well, you’ll need a boat, and the Pathfi nder could be the one for you. She and her skipper take charge of swimmers and fi shing trips out of Dover and Folkestone and this excellent website will tell you what you need to know to start booking any boat support for the Channel. Best bit: Check out the weather and tides for today, this week and the rest of the year.
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