The Solent Has Been Swum!
I did it!
I had a 4:30am wake up call to get Yarmouth Harbour for 5:40 in the morning. Me and the 29 other swimmers got taken across on a RIB boat to Hurst Castle. The sun was just coming up and it was a beautiful morning. The Sea was very still and flat however the tides were very strong.
I was on the last boat to arrive and people had already jumped off theirs to start their swim. I swung my legs over the side of the boat and the water was very cold as I dipped my feet it. So I tried to lower myself into the water but got stuck half way because of my wetsuit, I think in the end someone gave me a little push to get me off the side!
I swam to the shore while catching my breath from the chilled waters. With my shoulder all ready taped up I then started my watch and set off heading towards the left of Colwell Bay (to allow for the tides) with my kayaker guiding the way.
I thought we were all going to start together but as I said people had already started before I was off the boat, because of this I only saw one other swimmer on my way across. Also I was hoping to set off all together so I could see what position I came! Not that I’m competitive or anything.
The water was very clear so I was trying not to look down just in case I saw any fish. The Isle of Wight didn’t seem to be getting any closer but when I looked back-Hurst Castle was looking smaller. My shoulder started hurting after about 2 minutes of swimming and eventually just felt like a dead weight slapping through the water.
Eventually the Isle of Wight was upon me and I could see the crowd waiting the swimmers arrivals. As I promised to some people I swam a little bit of Butterfly coming into the shore before it got to shallow. I was 5th home after the staggered start and 1st lady in a time of 35:28minutes and welcomed with a cup of coffee and bacon & egg roll! Lovely!
The organisation of this event was brilliant and I met some lovely people. So far I have raised over £700 and still collecting. So if you’re impressed with my efforts and haven’t done already you can still sponsor me at www.justgiving.com/Lucy-May0
Thank you for all of your support and everyone that has sponsored me
Lucy xXx
PS I had only swum 4 times before this event over the months leading up to it! It’s already been said many times (as usual for me) “think how good you’ll be if you’d trained!”