On Saturday my family and I left Birmingham in convoy with my swim partner Claire, her husband and children heading for Manchester and a 1 mile open water swim. I had seen the pictures of the water in the bunkers that Jim G had posted and thought if the rain keeps coming down I could do my swim on the course!
We arrived at Salford Quay with time to spare and whilst looking for the multi storey car park I caught my first glimpse of the quay and my stomach did somersaults. It was quite daunting to say the least. I hadn’t felt this nervous since I boxed or tee'd off on my first Presidents Day and nearly decapitated the ladies arriving on the 18th green.
The rain was relentless and our troupe of followers were slowly getting soaked. The event was very well organised and after I'd squeezed into my wet suit and eventually got my swim cap over my head and hair, the nerves were nearly forgotten and I was ready to embark on my first 1 mile open water swim.
I will try to describe the first part of the swim which I would say was about 5 to 600m’s long, which is like swimming from the 10th tee up to the 11th green, but surrounded by 200 other swimmers. They call it the the washing machine, the moment when everyone takes to the water… lovely!
I completed the race with lots of encouragement from my wife and boys who walked the mile in the rain shouting and waving me in.
1 mile open water swim completed in 40:09 mins, very happy and starving!!
(Double click on a photo to enlarge)
I have had some sponsorship money from a few generous members of HGC and I am hoping that I will get some support from Warwick Golf Club. I am trying to raise £1,000 and I have reached, with pledges, about £750. I am grateful to the Captain for mentioning my swim last night at the club house (a donation would be nice) and if you have a spare £5 for my charity, The Edwards Trust, there are several ways you can do it. My justgiving site is still active and all you need is my name to find my page and then its all very straight forward. Alternatively, monies can be given directly to myself, John Rollason or placed in an envelope and given to a member of staff behind the bar. Whatever you can spare will be greatly appreciated and put to good use by this small charity who support and counsel bereaved children and parents.
Kind regards
Steve Michael - Man From Atlantis
On behalf of HGC Steve, many congratulations on your huge achievement and trust your fear of open waters and swimming are now dispelled forever.