For the first time since August, we couldn’t find even Bernard’s “calm bit” today. Myrtleville unswimmable, so we went on the road to Monkstown for two perfectly flat laps of the Marina. Cork Harbour is a big, big place and a gift for open water swimming. There’s always a calm bit somewhere 🙂

Calm and clear for a swim: Monkstown 25/1/2013

Well, part of the beach was still icy anyway.  Beautiful day for a swim to the Dutchman.  Bernard had been delayed earning a living, so was on the beach to take some pictures as we came out.  I thought Mauricio in Gibraltar preparing for his big Straits swim would especially appreciate these……if he thought we were crazy to still be open water swimming before this.  🙂

James Slowey: Myrtleville Ice Beach – 22 January, 2013

Damian O’Neill: Myrtleville Ice beach: January 22, 2013

We’re ending at about 32 or 33 minutes on each swim at the moment.  My first year open water swimming through the Winter, so the movement in water temperatures is a surprise to me.  Friday afternoon at 4.00 we got 8.7C and thought it was cold, but it was swimmable and not just in Bernard’s moveable “calm bit”.  A bit of fun at the end, trying to surf some waves into the beach.

Saturday morning at 8.30 it was colder at 8.3C / 8.4C with long rolling swells, but fine to swim to Fennell’s Bay.  Carmel was threatening to not renew her subscription if we couldn’t make it colder for her to practice for the Cold Water Swimming Championships next weekend.

Sunday morning, it was rough and bitterly cold in the wind before and after.  The run (sprint) down the beach to get into the sea was the worst bit.  The water was actually a relief! Bernard’s watch read 7.8C when we were getting out at 33 minutes.

So, with a couple of watches to verify it, we have almost a full degree drop in the water temp over three days.  Somebody qualified (a Registered Coldology Practitioner) please tell me it’s not going to keep going at this pace!!  February is the coldest month, the Coldologists say.   I’m really enjoying it and can’t remember what it was like not sea swimming regularly, but still hoping the sea won’t keep getting colder at this rate.

Myrtleville looking quite nice for a swim! January 2013

Siobhan Russell had to try out her new suit and brought her camera this morning.  9.1C in the water and the suit passed with flying colours.

Siobhan Russell, Tim Smyth, Bernard Lynch & Abby Lynch – Myrtleville 13-1-13

Change of Shifts – Tim and Bernard coming out – Brian and Tom go in: Myrtleville 13-1-13

Early sun at the end of the swim, Myrtleville 13-1-13

Some more pictures from Siobhan at this link.