Swimming – Loch Tay, Scotland

Go Swim 3k

August 2024

The forecast said wind, and that’s exactly what we got!
I was back swimming with my wonderful friend and awesome open water swimmer Colleen Blair. Go Swim had multiple events on ranging from 250m to 10k. We would be doing the 3k swim. (4 times around a 750m course.)
At the 3k briefing, I noticed that there were lots of bald men racing. I guessed these were the hardcore swimmers, who had gone the extra mile to make sure they were super slick in the water. It was only after a few minutes that I realised all of the 3k’ers, (including me), were wearing pink swimming hats. Doh!
The rules stated that everyone doing the 3k had to wear wetsuits. But as Colleen is a total legend when it comes to long distances in ridiculously cold water, and was guiding me, not competing, she was given special dispensation to swim in just her cozzy. As she said, there was no way she could do 3k wrapped up in a wetsuit!
As there were over 100 of us doing the 3k, we were set off in groups of 8 at a time. As we waded out into the 14 degree water, I could feel the waves lapping around me. At waist depth I leaned forward and launched off.
Colleen would be swimming on my left side, so all I had to do was keep an eye on her as we swam.

Fortunately, her cap, swimming cozzy, tow float and footwear, (think penguin feet, no really, tiny flippers!!!), were all bright orange for me to see.

After a few metres, it was time to turn left and head into the wind and waves, (my favourite). For the first 2 circuits, whenever we were swimming into the waves, I would deliberately swim hard up a wave and then launch myself off into the air, crashing back down, ready for the next one. I absolutely loved it! (When I grow up I want to be Rocket Man)
On the back straights, the waves were behind us, and this would feel much calmer. On the last 2 circuits coming down the back straight, Colleen and I got totally in sync with each other. There is something really special when your swimming like that next to someone, it makes me smile every time I think about it. Very special.

The turns were normally the messiest part, as this is when a lot of the swimmers merged, and on one of these turns I got a good hard kick to my left eye, which did daze me for a second or two, but then it was time to crack on.
I also managed to head butt a massive blue buoy at some point, but that was a bit more gentle.

Navigation went well. For the first half whenever I went off course, Colleen would grab my arm or leg and I would stop swimming. Then whilst treading water I would point my two hands to my 12 o’clock, and Colleen would shout what time I needed to go to. I would turn my hands to that direction, and if she said “OK”, off I’d go. As the race got busier and noisier, instead of trying to shout over the noise, Colleen would grab my shoulders whilst I treaded water and spin me around to the right direction, which worked perfectly!
This was only my 3rd swim of the year, (and 4th in 12 months), so I wasn’t looking for a superfast time. But in these conditions, I was more than happy with my time of 01:19:56, coming 74th out of 109. But the real joy of the day was being back in the water with Colleen. It’s been 12 years since we last swam together. Let’s not leave it that long before the next one!
Thanks also go to Ann, Richard and the crew and volunteers who made the event so much fun!
And of course, thanks so much to Rhona, who was supposed to be swimming, but had been poorly for a few days, so had to spend the race on shore taking pics. Luv ya gorgeous!