Does this look like a river to you? No it doesn't to me either. However, this is the river Tay, and the starting point for the Woodhaven Swim organised by the YAABA swimming club in Dundee, which took place yesterday June 21st. The swim is 4.5 miles across the Tay under the bridge from Broughty Ferry to Woodhaven, and I was one of the 6 intrepid swimmers who had entered.I drove from Stranraer and gave myself a ridiculously early start and stopped regularly for nervous loo visits and refreshments.
Once I got to Dundee I realised that I had no idea where the YAABA clubhouse was situated. So I walked into the lifeboat station and asked them. Once I found the right place I met Joyce who is the convener although her title is officially chief ancient.
The swimmers were friendly and delightfully mad, and I got a sense that everyone was out to have a good time and test their abilities. Once we got changed and stood on the dock the sun had gone and the wind was getting stronger, there was talk of strong currents, jelly fish and that this was a very challenging race. I wondered with growing anxiety if this was why there were only 6 of us. At this point I can only describe my feelings as utter terror. I was convinced that if the cold didn't defeat me, the distance would, and I couldn't imagine finishing in one piece. We were frozen as we descended the steep metal ladder in to the water. No place for wimps, we just had to throw ourselves in. I was pleasantly surprised that the water was considerably warmer than the Irish sea. I had managed a 30 minute swim at Lady Bay on Wednesday night with my lovely family watching from the beach in the pouring rain. It was breathtakingly freezing and I'm sure that had helped me to acclimatise.
The swimmers were friendly and delightfully mad, and I got a sense that everyone was out to have a good time and test their abilities. Once we got changed and stood on the dock the sun had gone and the wind was getting stronger, there was talk of strong currents, jelly fish and that this was a very challenging race. I wondered with growing anxiety if this was why there were only 6 of us. At this point I can only describe my feelings as utter terror. I was convinced that if the cold didn't defeat me, the distance would, and I couldn't imagine finishing in one piece. We were frozen as we descended the steep metal ladder in to the water. No place for wimps, we just had to throw ourselves in. I was pleasantly surprised that the water was considerably warmer than the Irish sea. I had managed a 30 minute swim at Lady Bay on Wednesday night with my lovely family watching from the beach in the pouring rain. It was breathtakingly freezing and I'm sure that had helped me to acclimatise.
Boosted by the temperature, I started swimming with my boat crew right beside me. I was impressed with the YAABA outfit who take safety seriously, and I felt completely at ease so I could concentrate totally on the swim. I got into my stride almost straight away.
Swimming under the Tay bridge was one of the highlights of my life. It was so beautiful and I wanted to stop. Alan the boatman and Graham the lifesaver were shouting at me to keep going as I was ahead of the others. I had overtaken one swimmer but I had no sense of where I was or where I was going. I allowed myself to believe I that I may be doing quite well. The final 1/2 mile was the most challenging and I could feel my pace dropping. There was a strong current pulling us, and I could see the young channel swimmer just ahead of me. I reached the end and I had come in third, 4 minutes behind the leader. However the swimmer just ahead of me had not registered, so I was officially 2nd. At the end
I was a little rubber legged and I staggered up to the clubhouse feeling dazed. Alan and Graham told me they thought I had achieved a remarkable swim and that I had picked up quite a pace at one point.
Swimming under the Tay bridge was one of the highlights of my life. It was so beautiful and I wanted to stop. Alan the boatman and Graham the lifesaver were shouting at me to keep going as I was ahead of the others. I had overtaken one swimmer but I had no sense of where I was or where I was going. I allowed myself to believe I that I may be doing quite well. The final 1/2 mile was the most challenging and I could feel my pace dropping. There was a strong current pulling us, and I could see the young channel swimmer just ahead of me. I reached the end and I had come in third, 4 minutes behind the leader. However the swimmer just ahead of me had not registered, so I was officially 2nd. At the endI was a little rubber legged and I staggered up to the clubhouse feeling dazed. Alan and Graham told me they thought I had achieved a remarkable swim and that I had picked up quite a pace at one point.
So, second place in a time of 1hr 20 mins and 57 seconds, not bad for my first experience of cold water long distance swimming, and I think to be so close to two very experienced channel swimmers is great. I have reached 48 and 3/4 and I have won my first ever medal!! Actually I think I got one in 1974 for diving in the Middlesex springboard championships. Quite a long wait really!
.JPG)