History of the Swim Challenge and a summery for 2007

A Brief History
I thought it may be helpful to outline how this idea of a marathon swim in the cold Irish Sea came about. My partner was diagnosed with a form of dementia in 2004. It is difficult to diagnose and there were a number of extensive tests and procedures to go through before the difficulties were given a possible name. It was obviously devastating news for a person at the peak of their career who was only 45 years old. We have had difficulties coping and receiving appropriate services due to our young age and our needs are clearly different. Now unable to work, my partner keeps busy by being involved in the local community and is now helping with our fundraising effort.
As a carer I realised I needed to stay well and strong and I have always enjoyed swimming. So, when we moved to Scotland in 2004 I started training again. In the pool I was lucky enough to meet Harry Waugh who is a veteran fundraiser and a superb athlete. Harry has organised many marathon events (you can find Harry on Google as he has a habit of going from John O Groats to Lands end!) and he suggested that I swim from Ailsa Craig to Girvan beach. Little did he know that ever since I saw the gorgeous Ailsa Craig, I wanted to swim there.

2007
This was the year that things really started to get going and I upped my swimming experience and training. I have some experience of Open Water Swimming but only in warm waters. In 1992 and 1993 I had taken part in the Maui Channel Swim with the legendary Swimmin Wimmin. We were awarded the honour of the longest ever recorded time in the 21 year history of the swim in 1992 with a stunning time of 9hrs 30 minutes. The winners who were the male Olympic team from Australia completed the swim in 3 hrs. However, the following year we shaved 3hrs 30 minutes from our record breaking time and still came last, but only just this time! We got press attention and many accolades for our bravery and endurance which was very exciting, and we held up the flag for amateur swimmers and especially women who can! While I was in Hawaii I also swam the Waikiki rough water swim 3 times and various local open water events. You may have gathered that I am not heading for any speed records!
So 2007 saw me entering the cold waters for the first time. I loved it and Harry accompanied me to the beach at Sandhead for several training swims. I also had a small group of cheerleaders depending on the weather and they included Eleanor, Marlene, Pauline, her lovely springer spaniel Susie, and David and Maureen. I was also watched over by a beautiful seal on most occasions. Thanks guys.
A New Friend
2007 also saw me link up with the accomplished and amazing channel swimmer Margaret Hodgart. She first swam the channel when she was 17, and she is training for another channel swim in August 2008. We will post her web site and blog on our web page soon. We will be swimming together in 2008 and I am intending to enter some open water events this year, which I hope she will also take part in. I have some trepidation about these events as my track record isn't great!! (see comments regarding Maui Channel!)
Swimtrek
I also had the holiday of a lifetime in August with the amazing SWIMTREK organisation. I swam between the islands of the Inner Hebrides with 10 swimmers and 2 experienced swim guides for 5 days. One of the swims included the CorryVrecken Whirlpool. We camped out on the uninhabited island of Scarba. This holiday really tested my stamina, and my mental capacity to cope with very cold rough inhospitable water. I managed well and the photos on this blog are from that adventure.
Stingrays
I have been adopted by the local swimming club the Stingrays who train at the Ryan Centre Leisure Centre who have also been very supportive. The swimmers in the club range from about 6 or 7 years old to 16 and they are superb in the water. I am honoured that they let me plod along beside them and I have no hope at all of keeping up. Linda and Euan are fantastic coaches and have given me a huge amount of encouragement. Harry will be coming on the pool side as well while we wait for Spring so I should be put through my paces ..... Come Spring I will be back in the Open Water.
Committee and fundraising
Following these experiences which tested my stamina and determination, Harry and I realised I was ready to commit to the swim in 2009 but we realised we needed some extra help. So we now have an active committee headed by our amazing coordinator Karen O Pray. We have already started raising funds and we are beginning to get some publicity from the Free Press newspaper.
2008
This is my first official entry for 2008 and I am just off to the pool. I am intending to swim 2 - 3 times a week in the pool and I row on the indoor rower 2 - 3 times a week also. I am so lucky that I have been lent a Concept 2 indoor rower for 2 years and I love it....Thanks to the lovely William MacKinnon for this loan and you are now one of my official sponsors!!
I'll write again soon now you are all up to date, and I look forward to some exciting events in 2008.
My moto? Lose more weight in 2008 ...... and stop being late!
Cheers everyone
Ros