Report

Ok so not running related but some Team Southampton members were part of a group of 17 swimmers who successfully swam from Ryde to Stokes Bay.

It's not completely clear who first came up with the idea of swimming across the Solent (we're all blaming Becky) but at some point early in the year the suggestion became firmer and a group of us failed to come up with a good reason not to attempt the crossing. To make it worthwhile the swim would be used to raise money for two charities; Smile 4 Rich and Medecins Sans Frontieres.

A large proportion of the group are members of Team Southampton with the others being friends or colleagues. Previous swimming experience varied from those who had swum competitively for many years to those who had only taken it up in the last year or so. Although never intended to be a race there was still a vast amount of organisation required if the swim was going to take place. Outline approval first had to be gained from the Queens Harbour master in Portsmouth as the route between Ryde and Stokes bay would cross two shipping lanes and the path of the IoW ferry. To get full approval each swimmer needed to be accompanied by a kayaker and there also needed to be enough support and control boats to pick up all the swimmers and kayakers should they get into difficulty. Another factor which needed to be considered was the tides and currents in the area. In the area we would be swimming the current could reach in excess of 3kts or to put it another way about twice as fast as we could swim! Nobody was particularly keen on being swept out of the Solent and ending up in France. A date was picked when the strength of the tides would be at their lowest and a time of day when the tidal direction was changing so there would be a period of slack water. This would mean an early start to the day but give us a window of approx 3 hrs in which to complete the swim.

Training for the event depended on each swimmers experience but a common theme was long sessions in the pool each week. A group of us made regular evening and weekend visits to Calshot spit to gain experience of open water conditions, much to the amusement of the cafe owner and customers who regarded us as mad.

For logistical reasons the swim would take place from Ryde sands to Stokes Bay, a distance of approximately 3.3miles. By going in this direction we could cross the shipping lanes while the group was still together and it made it much easier for supporters and the BBQ team to welcome the swimmers home. What it did mean though is that all the swimmers and kayakers needed to get over to Ryde before the swim could start. To do this we would use the support boats to ferry us across.

One thing that we had no control over was the weather, so it was with great relief that the forecast for the day was for light north or NE winds. In order to hit out tide window we needed to be meet up at Stokes Bay just as the sun was rising. Conditions were just about perfect with a flat sea and almost no wind. The kayakers were getting ready and the majority of them then soon left to paddle across and meet us on the beach at Ryde. The rest of the kayakers and all the swimmers then boarded either a rib (rigid inflatable support boat) or one of the nanny craft for the shuttle over to Ryde. This was the fastest the swimmers would be travelling over water today.
The group of people on Ryde sands was now growing by the minute as we all arrived and thought about the task ahead. Each swimmer was allocated a kayaker who would act as support and guidance. Unlike a pool there is no black line to follow and with your eyes only just at water level it is almost impossible to know if you are swimming in the correct direction. The kayakers this act as the swimmers eyes and all we have to do is follow or swim parallel to them.

In order to try and cross the shipping lanes together the swimmers had been split into two groups. The plan was for the slower ones to set of earlier so that by the time the faster group caught up we would be at the shipping lane. The first group thus started the tripÉ by walking!! Ryde sands extends some distance from the shore and it was only after the group had waded out about a 3rd of a mile that the water became deep enough to swim in. With the 2nd group starting about 15mins later we were now all under way. The water was reasonably clear (for the Solent) and I was not feeling cold although some of the group did despite the wetsuits. During the early part of the swim there was some weed to get through but this soon cleared. Most of us had arranged with our kayakers for them to be on our left hand side so that as we turned to breathe we would not be looking directly into the sun. The speed differences between each of us soon became apparent and the groups did tend to fragment quite quickly. The other kayakers and support boats could be spotted and gave reassurance that we were not alone and heading in the correct direction. For me it was a case of trying to get into a steady rhythm, with an efficient stroke. After about an hours swimming I got cramp in my calf and had to stop to try and shake it out. Also took the opportunity to have a drink from the kayak and take stock of how far I had come. It was also good to see that Gosport was defiantly closer than Ryde. Cramp sorted out it was back to the task in hand. 20mins or so later and when breathing to my right I can start to see the beach and headland were aiming for. Trouble is its taking a long time to get much closer, the tide has turned by now and were all going to have to fight against it to some extent. Little by little the Gosport inshore rescue building gets closer and the supporters on the beach come into view. Last effort and I can now see the bottom again, keep going until by hands can touch the bottom. Stagger ashore trying not to fall over, feeling tired but very happy. Support from all those on the beach was great.

By the time I touched land the faster swimmers had already made it (and in some cases got changed!). Despite initially heading for Portsmouth and having to correct the first across was Gary in around 1hr 10mins, there was then a regular cheer as one by one we all staggered up the beach. The later swimmers had an increasing difficult task as by now the tide had defiantly turned and was trying to drag them around Gilkicker point. Everyone successfully made it and should feel prowd of their achievement.

Waiting on the beach for us was a very welcome BBQ expertly manned by Becky's parents (I'll ignore the stove catching fire), hot and cold drinks and top quality cake!! It all made for a great end to the trip where stories could be swapped and kayakers, boat crews & supporters thanked. The swimming wasn't quite over for the day however as Dennis the shipper of one of the nanny boats took an unplanned dip while retrieving a warning flag.
Thanks need to be given to all those who made the day possible. Never had the phrase it couldn't have taken place without you been truer.

The Kayakers were
David Doyle, Jack Goodrum, Brett Dale-Heaps, John Badger, Steven J Bell, Brian Pett, Joe Chamberlain, Steve Noyce, Kevin Davies, Richard Browning, Jackie Ward, Steven Godfrey, Paul Conduct, John Kuyser, Terry Jones and Andy Biggs for the loan of kayak at very short notice.

Support Boats skippered and crewed by
Steve Darbyshire, David & Julie Kitley, Charles & Alison Bishop, Neil Westbrook, Kyle and Clair Wood, Dennis Hitchener, Heather Pitchford

The Swimmers were
Nick Wright, Emyr Morgan, Owen Harries, Andrew White, David Eardley, Stephen Roberts, Becky Mulley, Jo Kitley, Lawrence Clark, Sally Gilbert, Gary Compton, Kathy Stevenson, Cora McKeown, James Allen, Anna Leeke, James Prowse and Robert Gilbert

BBQ & cake purveyors
Eric and Mrs Mulley

Apologies if I've missed anyone. Special thanks to Becky whose huge amount of work in organising the whole event made it such a success.

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Some photos of the day here:

Photos