Swimming Adventures at Fell Foot

Swimming Adventures at Fell Foot

By Karen Smith

September 19, 2019

Two fine swimmers, two different days, but the same outcome. After almost 3 hours of swimming, these two strong swimmers struggled with the water temperature. Both swimmers started at Fell Foot; Neil started in the daytime and Danny chose a different experience and went for an overnight swim. Both these swimmers have big adventures for 2020: Neil has an English Channel Solo and Danny a Loch Lomond Solo. These are big swims which both require a 6-hour qualifier in under 15.5 degrees.

Both swims commenced at Fell Foot Park with a great forecast. Both men were in great shape with no underlying niggles to be concerned about. The water temperature was 16 degrees. A great pace was set, and both swimmers were super strong and relaxed. Feeds were going down well and there was no doubt they would be getting to the finish.

However, Neil began to complain about his hip abductors, which he has suffered with before following a fast start to a swim, and the water temperature was also taking its toll. Danny, at around the same time on his swim, had also begun to suffer with shoulder pain accompanied by some minimal shivers from the cold.

The decision was made by Neil to end the swim following 2 hours and 55 minutes of swimming. It is a swim to reflect back on for sure, with a 6-hour swim in these temperatures as his next goal.

Almost mirroring Neil's swim, after 3 hours Danny made the decision to stop. Concerned his shoulder pain may get worse and feeling the dip in air temperature, this was never an easy decision to make.