Almanac Swimming: Pier to Pub 2024

 

 

Col Ritchie, David Lamming, and Tony Forbes after P2P a few years ago

 

 

It’s that time of the year again – time for the annual Lorne Pier to Pub this Saturday, and this year it will be my 23rd swim in the event.

 

Like in all my previous swims, there’s always a feeling of apprehension for me in the week leading up to the swim. Questions abound. Am I fit enough, have I done enough training, will the illnesses during the year have any affect on my performance?  These questions and others linger in my mind and won’t go away. 

 

The death of a former teaching colleague and swimming companion during the 2019 P2P still weighs heavily on my mind. Will I know if I’m in trouble and struggling if that occurs, or actually acknowledge the fact I may be in trouble and have the guts to pull out, or will I do the male macho thing –  laugh it off and continue swimming to my possible detriment?  

 

Now a year older – 73, I’m beginning to feel my age, particularly over the past twelve months or so, I’m not feeling as strong as previously, perhaps my stamina is not what it should be, and my confidence may not be as positive as it should either. In effect, the reality is I’m slowing down but that should not be an issue when I consider swimmers well into their 80s and 90s are still participating in the swim. 

 

Weather is also another major factor I take into consideration in conjunction with water conditions on the day. Like most swimmers I prefer the day to be sunny, wind free, and warm – high 20s is just about perfect. Surprisingly many swimmers don’t realise how easily one can be sunburnt while swimming so I don’t want it too hot. The wind can play havoc with the conditions especially when coming from the east as it tends to stir the water up creating choppy waves, and cloudy sandy water with lots of seaweed and kelp. I like to see what’s underneath the surface as I swim, if a shark is there I want to be able to see it! The ebb and flow of the tides needs to be considered also. Although the surface may look calm below the currents can be quite strong and deceptive. The water on the day will probably be around 20c, much cooler than the usual 28 – 30c at the local swimming pool. The body needs to adjust to this. Down in Lorne there has not been many hot days as would be expected at this time of the year so consequently the water may be cooler. Usually before the event I like to get in a couple of days swimming in Lorne to become accustomed to the water temperatures, if that doesn’t occur, as it hasn’t this year for me, then the shock of the coldness of the water can have quite a dramatic impact upon the body even when wearing a wetsuit. I will be in Lorne early and will spend some time in the water to allow my body to adapt to the water temperature. 

 

 

 

 

Most swimmers will adopt one of three basic positions at the start of the swim – either on the shore side or the ‘inside’, the ‘middle’, or the ‘outside’ where the deeper and colder water is. Your starting position depends much on the conditions of the day. The inside position though shallower and warmer tends to be more affected by currents particularly the ebbing tide from the shoreline so you may be expending more energy and effort swimming against the current on the ‘inside’. The middle is where most swimmers like to start, however this causes extreme congestion at the start as each person adopts and jockeys for their position and course to the beach. Arms and legs flay in all directions as swimmers endeavour to take advantage at the start. Fewer swimmers are out wide on the ‘outside’. The deeper water is colder and often it is more difficult to pace another swimmer if you an eractic swimmer. 

 

With an approximate extra thirty thousand people converging on Lorne for the weekend parking is at a premium. I have two options – leave very early to reach Lorne by 7am, or catch the bus from Colac. I prefer to drive so I have a place to store all my belongings etc rather than risk leaving them on the beach. Also you have a nap!

 

The forecast is looking ok for Saturday, 27c with a 30% chance of showers, hopefully after my swim is completed.

 

 

 

More from Col Ritchie can be read Here

 

 

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