River and lake swimming

_ WILD SWIMMERS MESSAGE BOARD

Fri Jul 30 2010 15:53:23 GMT+0100 (BST) [297]
Name: paul kent
Email: postmaster@swimming-holes-wales.org.uk
Subject: ITV filming
Many thanks to those who showed up last night. itv were very happy with the turnout and interveiws
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Fri Jul 30 14:12:56 UTC+0100 2010 [296]
Name: Brenda Williams
Email: brendawilliams46@yahoo.co.uk
Subject: open water swims
Hi i am just starting do swim open water and wondered if there was a regular organised swim in sea in
Llandudno. Or is there anyone whowould swim with me between Tuesday and Sunday when I'm here? Thanks
Brenda
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Fri Jul 30 2010 09:55:40 GMT+0100 (GMT Daylight Time) [295]
Name: Laura
Email: laura.carus@rowcroft-hospice.org.uk
Subject: Sea Swim South Devon
1 mile sponsored sea swim off Teignmouth Beach, brand new event Sea Swim South Devon. Raising funds for
Rowcroft Hospice. Supported by Teignmouth RNLI and Teignbridge Council! www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/events/seaswim
for more info and to sign up! Just £10 per person includes goodies!
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Wed Jul 28 16:11:04 UTC+0100 2010 [294]
Name: David Gallico
Email: dg.lordofmordor@gmail.com
Subject: More than nine out of ten primary school children in Newquay have never tried surfing!
In a recent issue of 'The Cornish Guardian' it was reported that a survey had been carried out with
the rather disturbing findings that more than nine out of ten Newquay primary school pupils had never
tried surfing, despite the fact that Newquay is the 'surfing capital' of the country. Worse still,
one in five (20%) have never been in the sea for ANY kind of water sport! Sean Wells, school sports
coordinator at Treviglas Community College, said that they were so shocked by these findings that they
immediately set out to encourage more pupils to take advantage of the natural facilities on their own
doorsteps. He said, "The results of the survey were really frightening. We had no idea there were
so few pupils who actually surfed. We were taking a few of the year 7s down to the beach the other day
and a couple said it was the first time they'd ever been on the beach, which was shocking. Some we
have spoken to have only been in a swimming pool and don't know the difference until they actually get
out there and see the waves. Even then a few of them say 'it's like a wave machine'." With the help
of the college's Surf Academy, a pioneering scheme has been set up which aims to ensure that every primary
school in Newquay takes part in surfing taster sessions. Mr Wells said that the main barriers stopping
pupils from learning to surf were the cost of hiring wetsuitsand boards, and the poor transport links
in the area. The scheme aimed to tackle these problems by providing these free of charge, courtesy of
the Surf Academy, and by 'localising' surfing to give everyone the chance to learn, regardless of where
they attend school. Mr Wells added: "We don't need them to become champions. It's all about getting
them off the computer games and on to the beach, not afraid of the water and enjoying themselves. We've
got a fantastic environment out there, and we should use it." I was shocked too when I read this.
Whilst I agree that cost and travel are major issues, I do feel, as I have said previously, that in comparison
to children of my generation, the elf'n'safety brigade seem to have produced a generation of wimps,
by scaring children (and their parents) witless through the fear of what might happen and, consequently
wrapping them in cotton wool.
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Fri Jul 23 2010 16:18:59 GMT+0100 (BST) [293]
Name: Paul Kent
Email: postmaster@swimming-holes-wales.org.uk
Subject: ITV Wales program about river access to be filming at Radyr Weir (Cardiff) ST131808
ITV Wales are putting a program together about river access following the inconclusive results of the
Welsh Assembly inquiry. As part of this they wish to film and interview river swimmers. the site chosen
is Radyr Weir Cardiff at 18.00 on Thursday 29th July. Please come along if you can. directions M4 J32
take turning to ASDA go straight across small roundabout at ASDA entrance and follow road to second left
bend (Longwood Drive) walk over flood bank steps into river are on other side of Cycle path. Grid ref
ST 131 808
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Thu Jul 22 12:45:41 UTC+0100 2010 [292]
Name: David
Email: david.rouengo@netcourrier.com
Subject: Interested in open water swimming
Hello, I looked at your website and was happy to notice that you are practising open water swimming,
what is of interest for me. Actually I want to start swimming in open waters across the year (except
maybe in winter), and first of all, I will need a wetsuit or similar thermal protection. I was therefore
wondering if you had some experience in that and could advise me as I am quite stumped. Effectively,
I already did quite a lot of searching regarding wetsuit products but I am still looking for the answer
to the following question(s): Are there a lot of differences between a usual surfing (multi purposes)
wetsuit (Rip Curl, O’Neil, Billabong, etc) and a triathlon wetsuit (Orca, Speedo, Ironman, etc) when
swimming in the sea with it? Is a surfing wetsuit inappropriate for long time swimming (rash, sored,
exhausting as inflexible)? Is a triathlon wetsuit not only very fragile and torn at the first stone/rock
hit, but also not warm enough to be in open water? In addition, an important point to note is that
I am not looking for performance at all, only comfort, that is to say warmness, movement ease, and not
being fragile to tear. Moreover, would you know about a/some good products that you would advise
me? I am looking around the £100 range. At the moment I am about to buy a surfing wetsuit Rip Curl
Dawn Patrol 3/2mm that seems quite flexible compared to the other wetsuits in the £100 range (as newly
benefiting from the higher range new material), warm enough from May to October I guess/hope (eventually
a rash vest underneath when the weather is colder) and also wear/tear resistant. But according to your
experience this might be the wrong choice? Thanking you very much indeed in advance for your explanations/clarifications,
David david.rouengo@netcourrier.com
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Mon Jul 19 13:21:32 UTC+0100 2010 [291]
Name: Martin
Email: m.sheward@sir-robert-mcalpine.com
Subject: Lidothon ~ anybody interested?
I was thinking of doing a lido or two Saturday 24 July 2010, taking inspiration from the Kate Rew session
in her book. I was thinking of starting at Tooting, then Serpentine, and then either London Fields or
Parliament Hill. Anybody interested in joining in?
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Wed Jul 14 2010 11:44:55 GMT+0100 (GMT Daylight Time) [290]
Name: Laura Carus
Email: laura.carus@rowcroft-hospice.org.uk
Subject: Sea Swim South Devon
Hi guys! Sea Swim South Devon, in aid of Rowcroft Hospice Sunday 12th September 2010, 2pm. Teignmouth
Beach, South Devon. Sign up now for Sea Swim South Devon and be part of this brand new sponsored challenge.
Swimmers will be raising vital funds to help those who need Rowcroft’s care in South Devon. Open to all
swimmers aged 16 and over, whether you are a novice open water swimmer or an experienced tri-athlete,
join us and help make a difference! Rowcroft, Torbay and South Devon’s hospice, is proud to be planning
this event working with, amongst others, the Teignmouth RNLI, Teignmouth Surf and Life Saving Club and
Sea Sports Southwest to ensure this event is safe as well as enjoyable. The funds raised will go directly
to those who are suffering from terminal illnesses and need Rowcroft’s specialist support and care. Whether
it’s a new experience you are after, or a safe and organised training swim sign up now! Entry is just
£10 per person and swimmers will be asked to raise as much sponsorship as possible for Rowcroft Hospice.
On signing up, participants will receive a training info and a fundraising pack. On the day swimmers
will also receive a Sea Swim South Devon swim cap, a medal and something warm to eat after the swim.
Visit www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/events/seaswim for more info and a registration form! Hope to see
you there!
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Wed Jul 14 11:28:46 UTC+0100 2010 [289]
Name: David Gallico
Email: dg.lordofmordor@gmail.com
Subject: Chippenham River Festival
Please will you provide more information on the above, as I should be very interested in attending and
participating, if I am able to do so. You may well find others are interested too, I shouldn't be surprised.

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Sun Jul 11 2010 18:58:15 GMT+0100 (WET) [288]
Name: Lizzie
Email: lizzievelvet@yahoo .co.uk
Subject: river swim/jump
Hi from Norfolk, did manage the big jump in the Yare with children and partner plus our small dog,
later we found another place along the Yare for another refreshing dip. Does anyone know of a stretch
of Yare free of weeds for a long swim? I've found somewhere in the Waveney and have been told of a
3-4 km stretch along the Bure that we intend to try next week. However the Yare is our local river.
Hope to hear from fellow river dippers soon. Lizzie
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Thu Jul 08 2010 13:05:53 GMT+0100 (GMT Daylight Time) [287]
Name:
Email: chap@live.co.uk
Subject: Wild Swimming in Chippenham
Chippenham River Festival 28-29 August 2010 We are trying to encourage the use of our river for some
wild swimming, this could be simply for pleasure or if there is enough interest, some races may be organised.
Anyone interested please email.
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