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Boat Practice

We were given the opportunity to go out with a pilot on one of the boats to do ‘a trial run’. As the rest of my Team (Hammerhead Sharks) weren’t doing it (some have done a relay before) I became an Honorary Sea Dragon for the day! This was especially nice because my swim buddy Ruth is one and we travel down together and share accommodation so it made it much easier.

For me it was causing a lot of anxiety as to how I would manage getting on and off the boat, into and out of the water via a small ladder and especially in choppy seas. I’m sure it was also making the Aspire Organisers a little twitchy, as safety is of course paramount for them.

On the day we were up early checking our kit lists and did remarkably well with the relatively small amount we had packed for the boat, considering it looked like Ruth and I had filled the car with everything but the kitchen sink!


We had climbed aboard 'Anastasia' in Dover Marina by 10am and were briefed by our pilot Eddie and his son Michael. We were moored next to the boat my Team are going out on for the real deal...'Suva'....which stands out being bright pink!






We travelled out of the marina and harbour walls and headed up the coast. The weather was perfect at this point; beautiful sunshine and not too windy. 

The water temperture was about 14 degrees.







We decided on a swimming order for the 5 swimmers, with me going 5th. 

Neil the first swimmer went off the boat, swam to the shore, with the clock starting when he re-entered the water. You can see him below.





He continued to swim alongside the boat for the next half hour before changing over with Johnathan.


We kept swapping every half hour to get used to entering and exiting and practising the changeover. 

We were lucky with the dry sunny weather, although it was very windy. I felt comfortable in the water though.




Unfortunatley some team members got very sea sick but bravely still got in and swam. Thankfully despite expecting the worst the Kwells did their job and kept the sea sickness at bay for Ruth and I....we breathed a HUGE sigh of relief!

My fears were further allayed as I managed really well getting up and down the ladder, thankfully they weren't tubular rungs so the 'flat' steps made it easier for me. 

One of the difficult things is getting warm as soon as possible after exiting the water. This can be tricky; getting dry underneath a dry robe, whilst sliding along the bench on deck. Especially if your hands are numb or you're shivering. We tried having porridge pots on the 2nd day of the first training weekend. Carrying the hot water in a flask; having the warm porridge after getting out of the cold sea was perfect.

We headed back happy and tired after a successful trial run for most of us. Bring on the real deal!!!



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