Aore Island to Luganville, Santo, Vanuatu.

MiriamSean

Miriam

Miriam

            Aore Island to Luganville, Santo. By chance we found ourselves staying on Aore Island and had met someone who had done the crossing which was one of the ‘Pacific Island swims’. He was keen to help us but didn’t want to do it. Mim and Will were in good shape but Will had caught a bug so Mim and I planned to do Aore to Santo accompanied by 3 kayaks when the tide was slack. In fact the tide was quite strong (timing a bit out but it was getting dark) and dragged us away from the landing site at Unity Park. We hadn’t bargained on jellyfish but they found us. We got to the other side in 1hr 7m and 1hr 30m which was fantastic. We paddled back in the fading light for drinks on the veranda of our chalet.

Oyster Island to Turtle Bay, Santo, Vanuatu.

Will sets off.

          Oyster Island to Turtle Bay. It was our last day but we had time to go to a reef with kayaks and an anchor and on the way back meet-up with Harold the pirate. He tied our kayaks to the dinghy which Will took control of while Mim, Harold and I did the 1.7km swim back to Turtle Bay. It was a sea water lagoon with cooler fresh water springing up at frequent places (very near the Blue Hole). While swimming I wondered if this was perhaps the most perfect open water swimming imaginable. When we got out we had an outside shower before jumping in a taxi to the airport.

Boarding the Pirate ship.

This was the end and you can just see the Pirate boat, Cassiopea at the far background.

Blue Hole, Matevula River, Oyster Island, Santo, Vanuatu

Port Olry to Elephant Island, Vanuatu

           Next swim was Port Olry to Elephant Island. It had been quite windy but today we hired a car and went to the north of the island to find this dream like beach. At first sight it looked an easy swim across to Elephant Island. The 3 of us set off, Will choosing a different point to start and me swimming holding the camera. After 10 mins hard swimming we were making little progress and I realized we had a challenge on our hands as the tide was coming in. Halfway across I found a shallow reef to stand on and was going to call a return but I could see Will already over halfway there, so we had to go on. Choppy water and currents can be daunting but when the water is 27oC it doesn’t seem too bad. We searched the island for the rare ‘coconut crab’ but only found a large shell. We had a more relaxed return swim- but had spent nearly an hour swimming.

Vanuatu Swims. July 2012

Vanuatu Swims. We started at Port Vila and then flew to Santo via Ambryn Island (volcano).

We hoped that Vanuatu would provide opportunity for snorkelling and diving but the swimming was glorious.

1. Iririki Island Resort. On our first morning after the flight Will and were up early and swam across to Port Vila and back from our hotel on Iririki. It was only about 25 mins return but we had to smile at the warm, clear water which gave us a great appetite for the pancake breakfast while looking across the bay.

2. Oyster Island. After a volcano trek and no swimming (just one jump) Miriam met us off the plane in Santo and took us to Oyster Island for lunch. We had to ring a bell for the short ferry crossing and while we were waiting someone from the island swam across to meet us. This meant one thing; we put our bags on the ferry and swam across. Delightful. We had lunch and then set off with kayaks to find the Blue Hole. This was an 18m deep fresh water spring with unbelievable jumps and swings. I had a dive and left Miriam and William to ponder the 16m jump while I was joined by a Cambridge med student to try the 2.5 mile swim (with some help from the current) back to Oyster Island. Apart from a pause for a large coral snake we did it in 1hr 5mins. Meanwhile M and W made the jump!- all on video.

Felixstowe Swimscapes Sea swimming pod/group is up and swimming, with a fine season opener on May 7th. An impressive and diverse 20 swimmers were there, including 9 from Woodbridge - plus good support and alot of interest from Bank Holiday strollers on the Prom. It was cold, about 10C, but everyone was in at least 20mins, some 45mins or so, and the Woodbridge group swam to the town hall and back, about 2km. Quite a strong S>>N current, and a bit of a chop, but really we were v lucky with the weather. Nick, an in-training Channel swimmer, swam w/o wetsuit, as did Brendan, but he didn't swim quite as far! Maddy also was in and looked the part. Amy, Brucey and Elliott blew hard on a vuvuzela, adding to a bit of a carnival atmosphere.
Flapjacks and Alice's ginger cake went down very well, and Rosie did her usual magic with the camera.

hello Swimscapers

looks like we're onto something, hoping to be the first of many...find out more at https://www.facebook.com/#!/FelixstoweSwimscapes

reflections on Ullswater

Ullswater was amazing. The biggest swim I've ever done, and I was super chuffed to have come in 3rd, after a steady start. It was rough, windy and occasionally hazardous, but we did it. Thanks to Sean and the Barracudas for the invite and to Brendan and Miriam for supprting so well. Hope to join you again in another great northern lake...

Winter White Water

I admit that swimming wasn't exactly the aim of this one. Still, I think that since we were in unheated water with the air temperature at around zero degrees, this a worthy bennett-swims post!

Yesterday we went rafting at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, where the Olympic white water events will be hosted later this year. We met our friends in the cold winter's air at the train station with no small amount of trepidation, and I admit there were a couple of moments when I thought the Bennett Bravado was getting the better of me!

We got there pretty late, so rushed through the kit collection and induction, which was a slick operation, and were soon on the water. Cold water, adrenaline and laughter - totally recommended to anyone (over 14 I think) who can make it before April, or after the Games if not. Best served chilled.

Dr John Bennett Memorial Swim 2012

The rain held off and the air was about 12 degrees warmer than last year. So less festive and crisp, also less like an endurance exercise. A fine turn out from the Bennetts. Seamus, Anel, Brendan and Bruce came over from Suffolk, Car and Mike from Cambridge and Holly and Olly from London. Even Joe Lewis made an appearance on new year's eve. Tim and Lou came over from Devon. Seamus was first in again, followed by a fine entry from Brendan, they were followed by over 30 others. All in all there were 33. The numbers have pretty much doubled year on year and this year saw nearly half the entrants under the age of 14. Maddy climbed in from the side and Amy tried hard to get in but didn't quite manage a swim - I'm sure she will next year. For all the fun and frolics, for many of us there the swim is tinged with sadness as we remember our Dad and how sad Mum will be feeling. A a cheery note, when Caroline saw the murky brown river she said 'there's no way our Dad would have got in there'. I'm not so sure... watch Dom Moorhouse's fantastic short film of the day here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCp1uNqm9ZU