Who Needs to Sleep Anyway?

Who Needs to Sleep Anyway?

By Karen Smith

June 30, 2019

This challenge was put together as a training swim for Team Loch Lovers, who are taking on the Uswim Monster Loch Challenge in August this year. This team consists of myself, Dave Quartermain, Gareth Rees, Daniel Ralph, and Neil Stewart—not to mention our vital land support, Debbie Ralph. The Monster Challenge involves Loch Ness, Loch Awe, and Loch Morar; all deep, dark, chilly lochs with monster mysteries lying beneath.

The purpose of this training swim was to cover half the distance on half the rest we would be getting on the Monster Challenge. With Dave coming towards the end of his Channel training, it was a perfect opportunity to leave him in the water for a 1-way, while the rest of the team relayed, putting in 30-minute sprints. The water temperature was lush at 16–17 degrees for the whole 14.4 miles. The team took turns driving the boat, and the usual "one box per swimmer" had been allocated. If we could survive this training swim together, we knew we would be fine.

The team order was Dave, Neil, Danny, Gareth, then me. Neil was excited for his first experience in Ullswater. He couldn't wait to get in and swam strong for his stint. Not one to shy away from the camera, Danny was in next. Swimming smooth and strong, he was reminiscing about his 2-way Ullswater last year.

Channel solo swimmer Gareth was next in, swimming stroke-for-stroke by Dave's side, bringing back memories of last year when Gareth knocked out a 2-way Ullswater while Dave did a solo. This time, however, Dave has his Channel swim looming. I was in next, joining Dave for a stint—a rare moment where we are in the water together. Dave had to loop around occasionally since he is so much faster than me, but it was nice to see the lads navigate while we enjoyed our swim.

After approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes, Dave's 1-way Ullswater was finished, and Neil turned the team around to continue into the second leg. Debbie was on the pier to meet us and top up supplies. Each swimmer continued to relay down the lake as the wind picked up. The return leg was a challenge with the wind against us, but the team put in strong performances. After 8 hours and 1 minute, the 2-way Ullswater was complete.

There was no time to rest; it was into the cars and off to Windermere to start the 21-mile swim into the night. Boarding 'Gemini Warrior' felt like a step up after the smaller boat on Ullswater, and instant comfort was felt. As this was a training swim, we chose to relay from the midpoint to Fell Foot, down to Ambleside, and back to where we started.

Before we knew it, the lights had gone out and we were aiming for The Lakeside Hotel. Night swimming is so magical, and approaching the hotel was simply stunning. The water had cooled, and you could feel the difference as we approached Fell Foot, but the air temperature was kind and the rain stayed away.

Each swimmer did 45-minute legs, and teamwork really came into play. Navigating the shallows and "pots and pans" in the pitch black required all eyes on deck—great practice for the teamwork required for the lochs. Towards the last few hours, the team began to tire, getting quieter on the boat. Not surprising, as most of us had been up for over 24 hours. We finished back at the starting point just as the rain stopped and a rainbow arched over Dave.

Total Time: 11 hours and 30 minutes for the Windermere leg.

Total Distance: 35 miles and 19 hours 31 minutes of swimming.

Roll on the next challenge.