21 students and staff from Ningbo University and Changchun Institute of Technology in China visited #whitelee today. They are at a summer school at #universityofthewestofscotland (at Whitelee Windfarm)
Open Water Swimming Sunrise - Emma and I were down for a swim today (5 Jan 17). The sun was just coming up. We were in for about 13 minutes, we swam around 400m. Water temperature 8 degC. The water was really clear, the settled weather the last few days must be responsible. (at Royal West Amateur Boat Club, Greenock)
Happy New Year!
This is my first Blog of the year. I am working at home today to try to get some marking done. I have done a reasonable job but there is still lots of marking to do.
Seeing as I was at home I decided to go for an Open Water Swim in The Clyde. As normal I swam from the Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club (RWSABC).
The last time I was in was in December. Today's weather was fairly mild with with the temperature around 9 degree C. It was overcast with lite winds.
I went in around 15:45 and stayed in 15 minutes. High tide today was at 16:41 so the water was well in. I much prefer to be swimming around high tide if possible. The main reason is probably that you are walking over sand to get in the water. Going in at a low tide means that you are walking over cobbles and larger stones to get in the water. I am guessing I swam about 400m. I never did put my face in and mostly swam side stroke. After coming out I went into the boat club a took a nice hot shower. I was still a bit shivery after the shower.
Having said that I am still on a bit of high from the swim. It was great.
I didn't take a picture today but here is one from early December when the conditions were much the same as today.
I have spoken to a few people who tell me stories about people they know who made it a habit to swim in The Clyde every day. I certainly believe them now. Today's swim means that I have had at least one swim in The Clyde every month since April 2013. I expect that to continue. I would like to get in once per week but I'm not sure if my schedule will allow this.
Happy swimming!
These are the Group Photos from the New Year’s Day Swim at RWSABC in Greenock. 24 of use went into the water to get wet. The majority went for a 5 to 10 minute swim. Gerry Malone, Ernie Currie and Colin Campbell went for the “normal” 2 km swim. Conditions were rough with a north wind making it bouncy.
Cafe Culture in Gourock #Gourock #inverclyde #scotland (at Fresh Gourock)
I am the Open Water Swimming Convener at the Royal West of Scotland Amateur Swimming Club. The upcoming season will start soon. We have set out the programme for the upcoming year. The programme is shown below:
Social Swims for members of RWSABC
Thursday and Friday evenings every week with water entry around 6:30pm starts Thursday, 17th April ends Friday, 12th September
Swimming generally takes place along the Esplanade but sometimes in certain conditions swimming takes place in the direction of the Battery Park.
“Open” Social Swims for members of the public
Fridays - 23rd May, 6th June, 4th July and 1st August.
Moonlight Swim for members of RWSABC
Saturday, 12 July at 10:00pm - Dependent on weather and cloud conditions
The Cross Clyde Swim
From Kilcreggan to The Esplanade, Greenock the distance is about 3km
Saturday, 16 August - This swim is dependent on conditions and the event may be rerouted or cancelled in case of poor conditions. There are strict criteria for entering this event.
You can find more by contacting me at openwaterswimming@rwsabc.com
Happy swimming!
Boxing Day Swim 🏊 - High tide, Force 7 High Winds Near Gale - David, Ernie and I didn't go far. We went up The Esplanade for around 100m the went towards the MOD slip and then back. We were in for around 12 minutes. The squalls and spray when you in the water are exciting. Water temperature 8.2degC (at The Royal West of Scotland Boat Club)
A lovely night for open water swimming along The Esplanade in Greenock. 😊
The Economist | Land-shackled economies: The paradox of soil via @theeconomist
This is a blog where I can write those things that interest me, including but not limited to, Nuclear Power, Climate Change, Engineering, Open Water Swimming and Economics.
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