Eastbourne Sea Swimmers

Sunday 30th, 9am. Mainly sunny, light wind, relatively cam sea with LT at 7.40am. At least fifteen swimmers. Some going through and round the pier, a couple to the first pylon plus other shorter distances. Conditions easier than yesterday with me getting to the pier 3mins. quicker (26mins.) and back one minute quicker (12mins.). A couple of fishermen on "our" beach but tolerance/acceptance shown all round. Large fleet of dinghies mainly far out or well East so not a "worry". A more relaxed social time on the beach as there was no rain and the sun was pleasantly warming.

Saturday 29th August, 9am. In spite of the forecast twelve plus swimmers arrived to brave the possible conditions. Light drizzle on our arrival did not change to significant rain before we were back on the beach and then to heavy rain when most were undercover in their cars or back home. Similarly the strong wind did not develop till we were off the beach. Two hours after low tide with a rough sea. I think five went to the pier with others doing shorter distances. For me, going against the tidal flow and waves, it took about 29 minutes to the pier and, with their help, about 13 minutes back. Although fairly rough the tide was high enough so that the waves were not breaking where we were swimming and did not have an irritating syrface chop to make breathing difficult. Not too bad getting changed but people did not spend the usual time to enjoy their hot drinks or social chat. It often surprises me how we discount conditions which would keep others at home.

Sunday 23rd August - 9am swim.
We had a select few at 9am this morning. 5 regulars and 2 new comers.
Lovely flat sea, we did have rowing boats inside the boys, but we all stayed close to shore.
Think the furthest distance was the pier, but lovely conditions for everyone.
Well done Poo Castle to Holywell swimmers 👏 I did see you all swimming down the shore when I ran along the prom.

Sunday 23rd August. A "special" for some. No more sewage release
so we went ahead. An early start to get the direction of the tidal flow and depth of water/rock free at the end. Meeting at 7am at the finish, arranging bag drop and transport, drive to the start and in the water by 7.40am. Poo Castle/Sewage works to Hollywell; swim of about 5km. Near perfect conditions - calm sea , blue sky, light windd. Most enjoyable swim. Majority quicker than me but happy with just under 1hr 40mins.

Saturday 22nd Aug. 9am. About two and a half hours after high tide. Blue sky, warm sun, cool breeze and a slight sea. Fifteen or so swimmers. Some swam East and some swam West. Going West I don't think anyone went beyond the first pylon. Me to the pier in 14mins. and back in 25mins.; the return was with me "groyne hopping" to try to keep out of the strongest tidal flow. The waves had picked up a bit to a noticeable level for the return. The beaches and sea were relatively empty of people and boats. All content/happy back on the beach. Some having an early start for the long (5km) swim along the seafront tomorrow with others doing their regular swim at 9am. Weather forecast looks good so no/less worry about sewage release.

Sunday 9th August. A perfect day for swimming with a bright blue sky, warm air with a slight breeze. About half an hour after high tide with a calm sea. About fifteen swimmers with some choosing to go East towards Splash Point/3rd pylon others West towards the pier with the large black buoys set out for Airbourne next weekend being a target for some. My round trip to the pier taking about 36mins. being easy/quick out and hard/slow back. Don't think there were any problems and all seemed happy/content back on the beach. See less

Saturday 8th August. Apart from one of us well into her Channel Swim this is our usual report. Blue sky, warm with a pleasant breeze. About two hours after high tide with a slight sea. About ten swimmers going various distances/time in water with some opting for hard out/easy back by going East others going West. Two suits and a skins went to the 2nd pylon with one doing the 3rd pylon on the return. The easy there to the 2nd pylon took me 26mins. and the hard back 51mins. (77mins. was the total time).The relatively clear water allowed me to groyn hop with reasonable convenience as I could see them before hitting them! The wet suit ment I was not worried about getting cold. All seemed happy back on the beach. Channel Swim completed 22.45hrs.

Sunday 2nd August. With some resting after yesterday's "special" we still had at least ten swimmers. Low tide on the way in, mainly blue sky, a strong breeze with air rapidly warming after the relatively cool night. Three skins and a suit to the second pylon. I only went to the 1st pylon, my furthest this year without a suit. Relatively slow going against the tidal flow. Water fairly clear which allowed me to see the sea bed, sand, rocks and seaweed, even when out at the safety bouys. As expected the return, with the flow was quicker although in some ways harder due to the waves being "in your face". ?Rowing club event/regatta cancelled due to wind/waves?; no fishermen as low tide; no jet skis; sailboats a long way out; etc. so, apart from going into too shallow water, no problems. All content back on the beach.

Saturday 1st August. A "Special",
Return Swim to 2nd pylon 8am 🏊🏽🏊‍♀️🌞
Return Swim to 1st pylon 10am🦭🏊‍♀️🏊🏽🏊‍♀️🏊🏻‍♂️🌈🐠
Return Swim to Pier. 12.00🪼🐠🏊🏻‍♂️🏊🏽
Return Swim to Metropole 1.30🐬🏊‍♀️🏊🏽
Lunch☀️🥪🌮🍪☕️🍹🥗
Not my event so others may write about it but it was successful/enjoyable. (I only did the last three).

Sunday 26th July, 9am. HT 9.50am. What a change! Temp. about 20 deg.C, a significant wind, 100% cloud with rain threatening and a comparatively rough sea with waves from the west. The sea was relatively clear with vis. over a meter. In spite of the conditions we had 15+ swimmers. I stand to be corrected but I don't think anyone went beyond the pier. Waves in your face going and tidal flow against us coming back so hard work/good excercise. My round trip to the pier was about 16mins. there and 26mins. back.