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

Ullswater and Derwent Water

The beautiful water at Ullswater

and Miriam looking beautiful at Derwent Water.

2 from Ullswater and 3 from Crummock Water

3 from Hell's Gill

Ullswater- and the Great Lakes

The Lakes are Great.

September 2010

Is outdoor swimming getting popular? I've had 3 weekends swimming in the Lakes and we've not seen any other swimmers. You could agrue that the rain, low mist and 14oC water puts people off? But we've had some great swims.

First was Derwent Water with Miriam after climbing Sharp Edge on Blencathra. Warm water a bit too shallow to the big island and back. About 1:30 hrs.

Next day lost in the rain climbing Great Cable but Crummock was bathed in sunshine and Miriam enjoyed kayaking in the warmth while I swam around the clear water.

Later in the summer I went with Will (pictures above). We arrived late at Ullswater camp site. Will dropped me off at Howton about half-way down at 19.00. Good I didn't try the whole thing. Will drove around to Pooley Bridge with a plan to paddle down and meet me. After swimming in warm water with the sun setting for over an hour there was no sign of Will. I assumed the worst but had no choice but to keep swimming. As slight panic set-in, getting dark and no idea where to get out, Will appeared smiling with Jack on the kayak. Slight diasater, he'd tried to start in the river at Pooley Bridge but the current had caused him to capsize and loose some kit (nearly the car key). Jack leapt onto the opposite bank and wouldn't get in again. Finally Will managed it and had to walk a fair way with the kayak. We got out after 21.00. Having rehearsed 'no food after 9pm-is there a war going on?' we found a pub which served us and all was well. Still the Ullswater swim needed another look.

The next day didn't look so promising. Again we climbed Sharp Edge (I recommend it) and went onto to Bert's on the west side. After lots of tea and cakes we did not feel inspired to go swimming in the rain. Still we were there and Bert was intrigued so we set off to Wast Water. This is a must-start at the Youth Hostel- easy parking and lots of young faces in the window wondering way we were putting on wetsuits in the rain. Will dutifully got the kayak going, Jack run along the bank and I started swimming. Like the Ullwater swim it was a little over 3 miles. Unlike Ullswater it was cold and I had no idea of where I was going. After about 30mins Will appeared smiling. I felt sorry for him in the rain but he was happy and the coke and sweets were needed to spur me on. After another hour I saw the orange kayak on the bank and realized I was at the end. I changed in a huge puddle. We never saw Scarfell Pike or the scree slopes but now local knowledge came in handy. Bert took us to a back to Nether Wasdale and a pub which brewed its own beer. Having seen nobody out I found out why, they were all in the pub. Good beer and chat and warm. Eventually we had to leave. Great, not only does Will paddle but he drives too! The 1st photo is from Hell'e Gill which we went to on the way home. A little tame as no recent rain.

Late August and the weather look good for an attempt at the full lenght of Ullswater (photos on Ullswater plus a few extra). My friend Simon had been ealrier but hadn't made the whole way-at least 7 miles. So a sunny bank holiday we picked up Miriam in Appleby-in-Westmorland. And 5 swimmers and 3 kayaks met at Glenridding. It was beautiful. In we went taking it easy and it was colder than we thought, about 15oC. We stuck together and swam over to the far side side by the rock. We arounded the dogleg after about 1:30 and were swimming at 2.4 mph. Too fast for me. Simon and Eddy (the 14 yr old brother of Alister Brownlee, World tri Champ) kept on at that pace. Alan McCartney and I plodded on. At 2:40hrs Anton unfortunately got too cold and we caught him. Even a cup of tea from a passing yatch wasn't enough to keep him going, so he pulled out.

We could see the full length now and it wasn't good. Fortunately the water was not so deep here and warmer. My feet which had gone numb came back. Mim was epic pulling alongside with coke and jelly babies. At first we didn't stop much but later stops were lifesavers. Turning around revealed the most gorgeous lake/mountian views. It was inspiring. Why swim in a pool? (I know the answer). After 3:10hrs there was some way to go. My wetsuit was causing considerable discomfort to my 'privates'. After several bouts of what looked like fighting a sea monster I managed to untangle myself and the swimming recovered. Still the arms just went round there was no strength. Our escort kayakers then went to rescue another canoe but we swam in to Pooley Bridge in 4:30hrs. Simon had been ther for 30 mins and looked good. The GPS in the lead kayak recorded 7.2 miles. We then found a pub which had let us park there during the day and though weary felt great about the day. Furthest I've swum by a long way. Couldn't be done without Miriam supporting. The perfect place for long swims

A Beautiful Swim (Location: Undisclosed)

Somewhere on Dartmoor, surrounded by huge rocks and a pool deep enough to jump into - totally heavenly! Grid reference/ directions available upon request to family members and close personal friends only...