Category: Open Water Swimming

By Penguin masters swimmer, Jennifer Gambrell.

Last weekend, I joined 800 others to swim the Henley Thames Marathon. I swam the ‘half marathon’ distance, which covered 5.5km from Hurley to the Marlow Suspension Bridge. There was also a 10k swim option, which started closer to Henley and then joined in with the half distance route.

This was my first open water swim. I signed up in the middle of lockdown as something to look forward to and motivate me to get back in the pool once we were able. The river setting was good for a beginner as sighting was straightforward, there were minimal wakes and currents, and the multiple start-waves created generous spacing between swimmers.

The views while swimming were lovely. We passed by gorgeous residential areas, a grassy, tree-lined towpath, and a church garden where wedding photos were taking place. Spectators could walk the majority of the route, which was a lot of fun. Boat traffic was minimal, and the race had organized plenty of staff in kayaks to keep us safe and to one side of the river. The water temperature was around 18 degrees – most swimmers were in wetsuits, as the organizers required, though they did have a limited number of non-wetsuit slots. I’m far too acclimated to warm, indoor pools, so it was the wetsuit for me!

At the end of the race, I made sure to drink a can of Coke, which many fellow Penguins recommended to me as the ultimate cure for any river bacteria I might have come in contact with. This turned out to be sound advice. Now, back to the pool!

Last weekend some of our masters swimmers – Suzy, Ashley, Sarah. Johnny and Clemence – headed to Herne Bay on the north Kent coast for the Active Life Pier to Pier swim.

They were joined by ex-Penguin Fran, and Ed who cheered them and took lots of photos.

Waiting for the start it was cold, raining and windy and the sea was pretty choppy.  Even though the event was timed to coincide with the slack tide, it promised to be a challenging swim. But the buzz of all the swimmers gathered on the beach made for a great atmosphere.

Fran set off in the first wave for the full 3km distance from Hampton Pier to Herne Bay Pier and back.

A few minutes later Ashley was on her way in the 1.5k wave, with Johnny, Suzy, Clemence and Sarah to follow in the final wave swimming 750m.

All distances featured an outward swim parallel to the beach, turning at the appointed buoy and heading back to the exit on the beach. 

Everyone was surprised by how warm the water felt getting in. 

The outward leg was into the wind and made for slow progress but everyone found their rhythm and settled into their stroke to battle through the waves. The way back benefited from the tail wind, although the turning incoming tide made it interesting trying to hold a good line without being push ashore!

This was a well organised, friendly and well-priced event and there was agreement all round to do it again next year.

Afterwards the skies cleared and Team Penguin made the most of the warm, sunny afternoon with well-deserved fish and chips, and gelato in nearby Whitstable.

Penguin results

750m
Sarah Wren: 5th overall, 3rd female and first in category
Clemence Grochalska: 9th overall and 2nd in category
Johnny Wren: 12th overall
Suzy Carter: 13th overall and 3rd in category

1.5k
Ashley Henley: 26th overall

3k
Fran Lou: 37th overall and 3rd in category

During the first week of October I completed the annual SwimTheIsland event in Liguria, Italy.

The location of the swim was absolutely beautiful, and one of the best places to do an open water swim.

I was one of the 1050 people who had entered the 3.5k ‘classic swim’. There were also 800m, 1.8k, 6k, 7.8k and relay swims happening on the same day.

The 3.5k route started at the beach in Spotorno, carried on along the beach back to Bergeggi and then around the marine protected island of Berggegi, which is known for its underground caves and dive sites.

There was a good atmosphere before the race started, everyone was enjoying themselves and making the most of the good weather before we got into the water. After a very concise 20 minute safety briefing it was time to go!

We were let off in waves of 100 people, 5 minutes apart. Once I had managed to get out of the crowd as we entered the water, the swim out to the beach in Bergeggi was very enjoyable. The water was clear and warm, and in my opinion, a lot more inviting than lake swimming in the UK! There were lots of fish and coral, taking my mind off the fact that I had a long swim ahead.

The going got quite tough round the back of the island with currents and waves kicking in. At one point it felt as if I wasn’t moving at all. Luckily, my training with the Penguins stood me in good stead, and I was able to make it around the island. From there it was a nice gentle swim back into the beach and the cheering crowds that were waiting at the finish line.

I completed the swim in 1 hour and 13 minutes which was better than I was expecting.

After the swim I was able to soak up the atmosphere on the beach. The organisers put on a pasta party which was much needed to replace the energy used battling off the waves!

The event itself was extremely well organised, a safety boat was never more than five metres away, and there were people on hand to guide if you went off course. Apart from the excuse to catch the last sun of the summer, I would thoroughly recommend this race for anyone who is into open water swimming. It was definitely the most fun swim that I have completed, and the location was second to none.

SwimTheIsland: https://globalswimseries.com/swim-island-bergeggi/

By Steve Baker

Saturday 29th June started with a bright clear and sunny morning. A heat wave was forecast and by the briefing it was already 30 degrees in the bowl created by the buildings. Surrey Quays, the venue, is a large dock surrounded by residential buildings and the air is very still.

The water is deceptive, looks a little grey but is actually fresh and clean (ish).

The briefing talked about the cold shock of a 21-degree water… really?

There were 2k, 3k and 5k races and I was representing Penguin in the latter. There were lots of young swimmers in all the events which is really nice to see given the predominance of pool swimming for age group swimmers.

The biggest risk was vertigo from going around a 500m loop 10 times. That is, of course, if you don’t include failing to count properly.

5k is a long way – 3 and a bit miles – made worse by 10 laps of a square course with 39 turns, swum anti-clockwise which is not the best for right-sided breathers. For those unused to distance swimming, the turns do change your swimming immensely. It is tough swimming strongly for an  hour and a half with no lines to guide.

For me, this was the first time in the London Region Open Water Championships since significant shoulder surgery and it made winning the over-60s category especially sweet. Nice to bring home a Regional and County medal for West London Penguin.