Rwsabc - Blog Posts

Today I had the privilege of organising the RWSABC Clyde Swim 2018. 31 swimmers who are pictured here completed the 3km swim from Kilcreggan to RWSABC. Thank you to the participants, the safety boat crews, the kayakers, those who did the barbeque and served hot drinks and scones and the committee of RWSABC. #rwsabc #inverclyde #openwaterswimming #kilcreggan #greenock #theclyde (at Royal West Of Scotland Amateur Boat Club)

Now that I am back from China I felt I needed an Open Water Swim. It was a lovely day. Stacey, Colin and I went in. Stacey and for a swim. Stacey and I did 1030m in 34m 22s . Water temperature was 11.3 degC. I was in too long and came out very chilled. #openwaterswimming #greenock #esplanade #rwsabc (at Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club)

Swam with Stacey from Rosneath Slip (1st slip) bang on high tide. There was a south east breeze creating a reasonable swell. Swam to the yellow pole and then back towards the beach. Stacey exited the water at Rosneath Slip (1200m 42m) and I continued to the Boat Club (1675m 53:33) Water Temperature 13.5 degC #esplanade #inverclyde #greenock #rwsabc #openwaterswimming (at Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club)

During today's swim there was a downpour. The raindrops on the water made for a fascinating sight. #RWSABC #inverclyde #greenockesplanade #Greenock #openwaterswimming #downpour (at The Royal West of Scotland Boat Club)

I had a nice swim with Colin and David tonight. It was high tide and very calm. I saw a few jellyfish. There was a rainbow at the start of the swim. I swam to the "yellow" pole. #inverclyde #openwaterswimming #Greenock #RWSABC #Scotland #esplanade (at The Royal West of Scotland Boat Club)

A boring photo of the beach before today's swim. However, it was a great swim. Lowish tide coming in. Stacey Hearl, Campbell McCall and I swam 1 mile. It took us 18 minutes to the turn around and then 33 minutes coming back. Aren't tides wonderful? Water temperature 13.6 degC #scotland #inverclyde #rwsabc #openwaterswimming #greenock #theesplanade (at The Royal West of Scotland Boat Club)

Conditions at my swim at RWSABC yesterday (11-Mar-17 @ 16:00). Calm, low tide, water temperature 8.3 degC. Swam 480m in 18 min. #rwsabc #greenock #openwaterswimming #scotland #theesplanade (at The Esplanade Greenock)

Lovely day - very calm 2 hours before high tide. I did a non wetsuit swim on my own. 675m in 18:24 water temperature 8.6 degC #inverclyde #rwsabc #openwaterswimming #greenock #scotland #theesplanade #clouds (at The Royal West of Scotland Boat Club)

This is a photo that Stacey Hearl took before our swim this morning. Stats for today's swim entered water at 8:12am 307m, 11m (5 minutes going out, 6 coming back) Water Temp 8 degC High tide at 9:26 Fresh Breeze from the west, Force 5. It was behind us on the way out. #rwsabc #openwaterswimming #greenock (at Greenock Esplanade)

After this morning's open water swim the blood was rushing back towards the skin. I was on my own and swam 417m in 13:28. Highest tide coming in. Northerly wind onto the beach gentle breeze Force 3. Water temperature 8 degC #openwaterswimming #rwsabc #greenock (at The Royal West of Scotland Boat Club)

Stacey Hearl and I went down for an Open Water Swim 🏊 today. It was just after the turn of low tide. It was overcast and dead calm. My swim was 448m in 13:49. Water temperature 7 degC. #greenock #rwsabc #openwaterswimming #shoreline #beach (at The Royal West of Scotland Boat Club)

As I arrived at the Boat Club for a swim Colin and Gary were just coming back from a paddle to Helensburgh. I went for my swim which was 403m in 12:04. Highish tide going out. Calm. Water temperature 8 degC. A good swim 🏊😊 #openwaterswimming #kayaking #greenock #rwsabc (at The Royal West of Scotland Boat Club)

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. 

Open Water Swimming at RWSABC

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!

Open Water Swimming along The Esplanade, Greenock - 7 January 2014

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!