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

Ullswater August 2011

The Group

Setting off with Helvelyn behind

Seamus, Brendan and Miriam at the finish

Ullswater Swim 28th August 2011. Raising money for ‘Help the Heros’
Simon Hearnshaw organised this epic event. Over the past 4 years we have been organising at least one swim adventure doing some fund raising, Humber Bridge swim, Humber estuary swim and last year 5 of us went to swim Ullswater in the Lake District. Why Ullswater? Well it is the nearest to Hull, it is 7 miles long and we learnt last year that the logistics of a sea swim and a lake swim are incomparable. We did that in perfect conditions and Simon decided to go for a bigger event this year. More people, raise money and perhaps even do 2 lengths. The club was a good platform and several members joined in. There were also people from further afield. Training started in earnest at Billabong a few months before and we built it up to 10 laps/20 lengths (about 5 miles) by late August.
The swim was set for August 28th and over 30 folk gathered at the Youth Hostel in Glenridding. Altogether we had about 23 swimmers, 6 kayaks/canoes and a boat. The start was at the Glenridding beach area at 09.00. The water was 16oC and the wind blowing NW forecast to pick-up midday. Chris Wilson deserves special mention. He was the first in, having decided to split into slow to fast and start in that order. He was NOT wearing a wetsuit and forged the way with the lead kayak. Other groups soon followed (no excuses now). Mostly groups formed in the water and as the weather deteriorated it was clear that everyone was digging deep and that if you wanted to access a kayak (with drinks) then sticking together was important. Next special mention was for the kayakers- without them this would not have been possible and they had to work very hard in the windy conditions. Miriam and Brendan paired –up in an open kayak and had to work hard all day to stay afloat. Although they couldn’t paddle up wind they gave us essential support. After we made it to the far end 2 men took the kayak and managed to capsize it. So well done Mim and Brendan. At one point Dave Walker’s friend (is he still?) capsized the club kayak and needed to be rescued while a swimmer retrieved the kayak which was blowing away (I’m sure it was supposed to work the other way round!).
Back to the swimming. In the deep water the wind whipped up the waves which created a kind of body surfing effect. This helped a bit but made breathing and navigating hard. Oddly the fast group (with Seamus) swam to avoid the wind and some of the medium speed swimmers (my group) went past them. It was tough knowing who was who. To add to that we all had yellow, ‘Help the Heros’ swim hats! We got passed Howtown and just over halfway in about 1hr 45mins. Good going. The fast group moved ahead now which was when we started thinking the end was in sight but as is so often true the race was only just beginning! We were in a much shallower part of the lake and waves became chaotic. Sickness became a problem and breathing was hard. At least 50% of breath attempts ended in a drink. Most of us (not Mike- give me 2 gels and I’ll be right- Beadle) stayed with their kayak buddies. We now had to negotiate the annual Burkit Sailing Regatta. Mostly we had to switch sides of the lake. My group strayed causing one yacht to capsize and another with spinnaker in full bloom to miss a swimmer by 2 metres. The sailors were so worried that Mike might damage a boat they sent him his own escort. The rest of us struggled through. Once past that it was plain sailing! Identifying the final beach to land on caused some confusion and the rocks we had to walk out on were very slippery. We slithered out like Golem to a welcome committee and suddenly realized how cold we were. The beach was in the wind where all but 2 starters arrived, including Chris in 4hrs 40mins. Ed Brownlee (only 15 yrs old) was amongst the first swimmers and his better known brother Alistair cycled from Yorkshire to meet us at Pooley Bridge. However the wind had slowed him down so we had all left in the vans before he made it.
Simon hadn’t had enough so after a cup of coffee he dived back in to swim back followed by 3 men in a boat against wind and wave. Mark Padley hitched a lift and joined Simon on the opposite bank. We lost contact at this time and after loading the gear drove back to Glenridding with binoculars waiting to see who would emerge. First sight was the speed boat towing the kayak. Simon and Mark had made a brave effort for over 1 hour but were beaten by the wind and waves. They climbed into the boat but the kayak sank and resulted in all parties, with and without wetsuits, back in the water and gear everywhere. During the rescue Mark broke a rib but finally the cold wet, troopers limped home. The day was done. Everyone had done really well and had a tale to tell. These tales, I might add, were well aired as the Barracudas drank the bar dry back at the Youth Hostel. Now that is a first!
From all the swimmers, our sincere thanks to those that travelled to Ullswater and gave up their day to support us on and off the water. It was a tough day for them. Thanks to Ian Fraser for the transit van. Thanks to Simon we also raised over £2,000 for Help the Heros.

Dart 10k

There can't be many families where a 10k event is the 'soft' option for late summer swims. But, since the Bennetts are one of them I thought we should record it for posterity!

At the beginning of September, Joe and I swam the Dart 10k, from Totnes to Dittisham. The water wasn't too bad at 15 degrees, and I think we were both pretty grateful for the spring tide that was helping us along.

With the help of that tide I managed to finish in 3hrs dead on. Roll on the next swimming season!

Captains log. July 2011

Foreign countries are great. Not to say that old Blighty doesn’t have some treats of its own. Weather wise you can almost set your watch to when a sunny spell will come, which is about 24 hours after departing for lands afar. Note to self – take shorter holidays (23.9 hours).

Anyhow, the reason for this entry is I wanted to share some of great outdoor swimming spots of Central America that I have seen of late. Not the traditional 15c logged by most, and far be it from me to judge which holds more credibility. So here in reverse order of the Joe Lewis outdoor swim 1-10 rating system………

5. Livingston, Guatemala – 7/10

Not to be confused with its Scottish counterpart, although some parallels do exist. An Indiana Jones style bridge which accesses the beach walk into the cascading pools from the hillside. Follow a jungle path to be met by waterfalls and great jumping spots.

4. Aqua Lounge, Bocas del Toro, Panama – 8/10

Great by day or night, but occasionally a little hairy due to fast Jack Russell like boats. A swing into water is never a bad thing. When complimented with music, friends and drinks it is an excellent thing. Many long-swim opportunities and fishes all over the shop.

3. Flores, Guatemala – 8/10

Huge open water lake with main land to swim to (complete with museum). Docks to jump off, warm calm water and serious organised crime to dodge... eeeeeeek! hipptrip.com/articles/mur#E9152

2. Puerto Escondido, Mexico – 9/10

Challenging swimming with strong rips, big waves, fish, hot sand and Corona's for afters. There are 4 main beaches in the area but Bacocho is a seriously beautiful one. Zicatela has some insane waves at the right time. A highlight was watching the quintessential disappearing surfer re-emerge from a massive barrel. Big cahoonas to paddle into that.

1. Semuc Champey, Guatemala –10/10

Joint first! And more of a 3 in 1. The day started with a huge swing into a deep river so being part of an adventurous group the flips and fails really came out, much to every ones delight. This was accompanied by a 12m bridge jump and being a diver in my younger years, I had given it the Charlie big potatoes in passing. Not being one to back down from a challenge I was soon committed to a back flip. Jump, land, survive! This was followed by cave swimming and climbing in natural tunnels allegedly burrowing 14km into the hillside, made possible through the use of a candle. Which got wet. The final part of the Semuc Champey trilogy were the pools. Smooth rock slides and true blue water waiting for you at the bottom.

1. Agua Azul, Mexico – 10/10

The piece de resistance of outdoor swimming spots as experienced by yours truly. Utterly breath-taking. Steeped in Mayan history, multiple waterfalls and rock jumps, infinity pool swim leading to waterfall edge. The waters fine, come on in! Only the quarry in Cambridge can top it. Amazing!

Ice cold

We had to walk the last mile as the 4x4 was getting stuck in the melting snow. 2 days earlier it had been -15oC at Welton so now with the sun shining Mike had taken me up on my offer to go for swim (it was a joke). As you see the ice was firm. Only Mike's determination to dig a hole found any water. The ice was about 4'' thick. I said we should really swim go under the ice and pop-up in a 2nd hole (another joke) but Mike pounded another hole. Before I new it Mike stripped off and in he went. I had suggested he took a rope as I didn't fancy searching for him. It was also my excuse for a wet-suit but, I know- I whimmed it!

Will -what about my hair- Bennett followed and we were all frozen. Only difference with Finland was that the nearest sauna was 6 miles away. Same time last year we managed a 300m swim. It is becoming a habit which I thoroughly recommend