The Dart 10k – Open Water Distance Swim

The Dart 10K is a river swim that starts with a boat trip from Dartmouth up the course before mooring and letting the swimmers go. In fact there are three boats, each with about 150 swimmers on board, and a buzz and anticipation that open water swimming often brings.

The course starts in a meandering, high-sided landscape before opening up into a wide, flat valley where the first feed station awaits. Some jelly beans and water before you head into a long bend round to Dittisham, then through a narrower section with lots of boats. At this point you realise the tide is quite strong as you fly past the boats, and only narrowly miss a few!

The final long straight into Dartmouth comes faster than expected, and you cross the line to receive a branded mug of hot chocolate as a reward. It’s a quick and exhilarating race, a little over 2 hours (comparable to the 3 hours it would take in a lake).

The Hurly Burly – Open Water Distance Swim

The Hurly Burly is another level, and its name is definitely appropriate. It’s wild, fast, and leaves you breathless and grinning from ear to ear.

You set off at 7:30 in the morning as the tide turns in and swim into the estuary. You swim straight off the beach along the sea wall before being taken by the current, heading straight for a bridge at pace. Keep your head up and sighting as it passes by in seconds, and you sigh in relief you didn’t hit it! They guide you sideways even though it looks clear straight on, and once you’ve hit a sandbank inches below you realise that following them is the only way forward. The water is choppy, the sky blowing past and the Welsh valley serenely beautiful.

At the finish, you have to sprint from left to right without passing it by, then onto land, where a band of drummers greets you. Less than 1.5 hours, wide-eyed and bashed, a wonderful swim. There are 600 swimmers, and pretty much all of them end up in the pub for a bacon sarnie and a slowing of the pulse.

Swims like these underscore the pleasure of swimming in open water and swimming distances you rarely attempt in the pool.

The post Distance Swimming in Open Water – The Tale of Two 10k’s appeared first on Spencer Swim Team London.

A few years back, a group of our swimmers banded together for a day out at the coast and a sea swim. Now, that annual trip has become a fixture on the calendar, and its popularity has spread. 

This year, we were treated to open blue skies and sunshine, which immediately lifted the mood as we congregated at Clapham Junction station. A few coffees and pastries later, as we chugged south, the train turned towards Hastings and tracked the coastline, revealing beautiful calm and inviting coastal waters. 

As we disembarked at Hastings station and scurried to acquire more provisions for the day ahead, the excitement levels began to rise, and the potential cooling effects of the sea became increasingly motivating. 

Arriving in Hastings

We convened at the Coastguard Cafe in Hastings, hosted by our coach, Steve. We drank more fluids and ate extra calories for the impending swim. Then came the walk down to the sea, taking in the coastal footpaths across headlands and down through the woods. 

Emerging from the dense woods, our swimmers were hot and ready. The eagerness was palpable. Without hesitation, we stripped to our swimsuits and stuffed our towfloats, launching ourselves into the breakers and heading immediately for deeper waters and along the coast to Hastings town.

What a total delight it was, with warm water and sun on our backs. The swim almost went too fast, but we were united in exiting the water in Hastings town and heading back to the cafe for a post-swim BBQ and a bit of refreshment.  Since the bus taking us there wasn’t as quick as our swimmers, we had extra time to lie on the beach and grab some Mr Whippy ice creams. 

The high-energy atmosphere after the swim showed just how enjoyable it had been. The team had a lot of fun as the burgers and hot dogs topped up their energy, while the beverages kept the laughs rolling. 

Swimming at Spencer starts in the water but extends far beyond.

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