SANDWELL LONG DISTANCE SWIMMING CLUB

Left to right: Simon Kimberly, Lionel Spittle, Dan Earthquake, Julie Cooper, Mark (the Blob) Fowkes, Mik Hennessy, Ian McDonald, Hannah Leitzau, Martin Davies. Photo courtesy of Tony Speake.

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For some reason, our year end report did not appear in the BLDSA’s  Annual reports, so it is reproduced here for all to read:

Sandwell LDSC year end Secretaries report, by Dan Earthquake.

Time has rolled on again and winter's cold hand beckons. Looking back, the year has had some great highs. Darron Corden and I broke the ice on New Years Eve and got our photos in the local rag. The SLDSC AGM discussed the possibility of a time trial race in the summer; a channel relay; a Winter event and the appointment of John Rickhuss to Vice Captain. It was less than a month later that I received the terrible news of John's death. John's funeral was full of his friends, and each of us had a story to tell. John had introduced me to this sport; his enthusiasm compelled him to promote it to anyone who would listen, and his instruction had helped lots of us improve. John's stroke was a work of art, strong and powerful, yet relaxed, much like the man himself. The club was devastated, and in some ways I think it still is. John was the glue that held us all  together, and we didn't fully appreciate it until he was gone. In the end, we did the only thing possible and carried on. It was March when Sealskin Sergeant appeared this year, hurtling round the lake with great vigour whilst introducing a new member - Lionel Spittle. Both Dean and Lionel trained hard early on this year and have competed in triathlons all over the country in the best of spirits. Dean improved his best triathlon time from last year by six minutes and is looking for bigger distances next year. Like Simon a few years back and Martin last year, Lionel waited until late September to remove to rubber romper and he found that afterall he didn't need it. Lionel raced eight times this year, competing at Burnham, Wombourne, Redditch, Windsor, Bournemouth, Salford, Wyncavon and Bala. He was never outside the top ten for his age group - his best was at Burnham Aquathlon - first for his age group, ninth overall.  It turns out that Lionel remembers me from years ago - when I competed in the Doncaster 24 hour running race. I was clean shaven and a few stones lighter back then, but he said that it was the name he recognised rather than the figure. Brian Head spent the winter coaching the competitive lifesavers, and introduced Michelle Arnold to the club. Michelle instantly impressed me with her "get on with it" attitude to the April water temperatures. I accompanied her for her first lap, but the second mile that Michelle swam in Swan Pool a week later was too fast for me. I have failed to keep up since. Michelle's first season went well, with plenty more to come for the future. Brian carried on the season in his usual style, paddling his canoe, encouraging us to train harder and smarter, and supporting us at the competitions. It's easy to forget the efforts of a coach as the trophies go to the athletes, but it is well here to recall some of  Brian's triumphs: his infamous cigar, smoked during his own Bala attempt some years ago, as well as the fact that he coached North Worcs Lifeguards to TEN consecutive national titles and oversaw the ladies team that contested the FINA world championships held at Windermere all those years ago. His achievements as a coach are more than equal to the champions he has instructed. Well done, Brian. We're proud to have you amongst us, and even prouder that you have agreed to be the first President of the club. Clive Burbage made arrangements for another attempt on the channel, but conditions in Dover were against him starting on both visits. But there's always next year, Clive. Graham Diggett's enthusiasm for swimming never wanes, and he promotes the club and the sport to everyone he meets. Other commitments kept him away from the lake this year, but a week spent at Bala has whetted his appetite. Will we see him there next year? We were surprised in May when Mik Hennessy's thinner, younger brother appeared at the lake, swimming faster than Mik did last year. Then the secret was out. It was Mik all the time, raring to go from a good winter indoors. Mik went on to be part of the Sandwell rampage and was there at all the big races, a real team player. Windermere saw him improve on his last two efforts, but Mik still hankers after faster times. They will come. I heard Mik tell BLDSA President Gill Stables that he considered getting out during the Windermere swim. "At what point did you decide to carry on?" asked Gill, a great observation. Battling back from last years disqualification and Windermere rejection a new hero has emerged. By day, Ian Macdonald is a mild mannered postman from Coventry with a shoulder injury, but when the waves are big, and the boat overturns he becomes our hero - Underwater Flag Alpha Man. With an iron will and steely grip on the flag his motto has now become "There it is - in my hand." He supported Mik's efforts this year, and despite trying to introduce a system of bartering and bribery of bananas and high visibility jackets, finally parted with his membership subs in September. Club Captain Hannah Lietzau came back from two foot operations to overtake me in Ullswater and swim the fastest twelve miles on Windermere. Seen heading for Wray castle with half a mile to go, the time was naturally slower than two years ago, but Hannah finished strong, ready for next year. My suggestion of asking the hospital to fit replacement interchangable webbed feet was rejected - something to do with an obscure BLDSA rule regarding assistance. All joking aside, it's good to have you back, Hannah. Simon Kimberley took part in the Florida World Triathlon Championships last year, following a year of superb competition. He tells me that this years challenge is much harder - fulfilling his promise to decorate the house, dig the garden, build the extension, concrete the drive, etc. He told me the other week he was getting fat, but don't believe a word of it. There's more fat on my arm than Simon's lithe frame. Newcomer Ian Rowledge joined us on the worst of evenings, with heavy rain and wind chopping up the water. Despite this, he enjoys it, and is looking to compete soon. Whatever happened to Nick "Too Late" Goodall? One swim in Budworth Mere a few years back led to his declaration that "you will never con me into swimming outdoors ever again." Then last year he joined the club at the end of the season and swam with me until late October. This year he has been sighted in the mountains; in his canoe; in Paris ,in fact there are sightings of him everywhere but not at Swan Pool. Come on man, get with it! You love it really. Julie Cooper's swimathon in March was almost a quarter of an hour faster than last year, and an early start to the season was looking hopeful, but circumstances meant that it was much later. Speed and stamina have improved from last year, and the lakes are waiting for you, Jul, whenever you decide to swim them. Martin Davies has bags of enthusiasm, but the busy pace of life has stopped his swimming until a late flurry in September. Martin has abandoned his wetsuit, and seems to be doing better without it. One cold evening, we offered him to change in the van, but he said  "Ahm frum Dudlay, we'm used to the code there." It's mid October as I write, and he was with me this morning in an empty lake. Jim Mackay kept his sons Stuart and Jamie hard at it this year, touring the country and even going abroad to compete. Jamie consistantly was in striking distance of a win in the ASA races, with Stuart not that far behind. Jim led by example, winning his age group for the 1500m. If Jamie decides to get a good winter in and up his distances I feel that he will be getting the trophies. Stuart may well prove to be his biggest rival in years to come though. Someone who definitely won't be standing down to let Jamie and Stuart pass is Darron Corden who has been all conquering this year. He entered five races - Champion of Champions; Bala; Padarn; Coniston and Windermere and won them all. Has anyone ever done that before? Will anyone ever do it again? Add his breaking the record at Ullswater by SEVEN MINUTES and you have the stuff of legends. We talk of great efforts by our swimmers when they do a good season, but I have come to realise that the efforts we praise are those which Darron does all the time. Darron has recovered from injury, has family and work commitments like everyone else and still wins. We tend to say, "Well, that's Darron for you," but that doesn't cover it. Darron is a champion because of his attitude and determination, and he is consistant. He is unique. There won't ever be another like him. Joy Cullen keeps the flag flying for Sandwell over in Ireland , enjoying her distances and promoting a healthy lifestyle to all. Come for a swim over here again, when you can. Richard Davidson has gone hard at it all season. The Lake district, Scotland , Ireland , Wales ; nowhere was too far away for him to mix it up with the best of them. He organised (and won) the Ullswater Handicap and also coached the winner of the Ashford Mile - our home mile race. Nicky Scott was always in the lake, seemed to be muddier than everyone else and was always cheerful. Training for her first Windermere swim, Nicky was there on the podium a few times and seems to enjoy racing with the local triathletes when she is not having to rescue them. The club voted for it's own Swimmer of the Year and  Nicky became the first holder of the John Rickhuss Memorial Trophy, a recognition of her concerted efforts this season. Well deserved. Our numbers have been boosted late in the season by Duncan Hough, Anne Marie Bamford and Paul Barker,  three more rubber coated swimmers. Little do they realise that the cold is infectious, and just by joining they will soon be under our spell and released from their restraints. Duncan finished in the top 100 of an 8000 strong race, and is certainly on the up. We'll be watching you closely next year Duncan , and wish you all the best for next year. Neil Goodman (didn't he used to swim?) appeared in row boats and club photographs, where once he used to shiver on the quayside. Next year Neil? There are some that say that Invisible Frank is a figment of my overactive imagination. If he was swimming, then nobody noticed him, though he was spotted at Darlaston on occasions with his rare discuss throw, like stroke. Did you ever feel a tug on your foot? Who hid your favourite goggles? Now you know. Every week, Mark "the Blob" Fowkes stands at the quayside looking lost and forlorn, wishing he was a swimmer. He swam once in 2002 for a bet to win a breakfast, but waited until this summer for his next dip. Once every eighteen months won't get you fit, Mark, but stick at it. He looks out for us all though, so we've made him the club safety officer. A sad farewell to our friend Ken Duffell of Sandwell Council who is retiring this Halloween. Ken has managed Swan Pool with great care and supported us in our endeavors. Have a happy retirement, Ken. My year was non-competitive. I crewed a bit, supported a bit, and swam a lot. It was great. I swam in some unlikely locations this year trying to find the Almost Impossible, and had a lot of adventures, including being harassed by an unmarked military helicopter whilst swimming in Glaslyn on Snowdon . Despite the variety of swims to choose from, my best swim was still in Swan Pool -half a mile in choppy conditions with Martin Davies talking at every buoy then followed by a quick half mile at dusk with Hannah, the Club Captain. There have been some wonderful sessions at Darlaston Swimming baths too, (John Rickhuss' training ground) with Graham, and Julie racing every week. Invisible Frank can be seen on occasions, with prospective club members getting ready for next year's Ashford Mile. Being secretary to this club is wonderful. I watch the swimmers drift back in April and May. By July they are asking "Do you ever do any training Dan, or do you just loll about?" I watch their frantic laps and applaud their efforts. Before I've had time to write this report, September comes and they thin out again until I am left alone once more. Like an old walrus I swim all year round and even do tricks if there's an audience. Is there anyone out there who wants to challenge me on December 31st to an immersion marathon? The inaugral Old King Cold will take place this year and a crown will be presented to the person who stays immersed longest. If no one turns up I'll keep the crown. Any takers? Watch the post, I'll be sending each club details.

If you think you're a member of this club, but didn't get a mention here, it's because you didn't pay your subs this year!

Dan Earthquake.

If you can swim a mile outdoors without a wetsuit and without stopping (minimum requirement), and would like to join Sandwell Long Distance Swimming Club, I'm the man to talk to.

I'm the secretary, so please contact me either by texting EQ followed by your enquiry to

83252

(texts cost 25p plus normal sending charges.)

Or write to me.

Sandwell Long Distance Swimming Club,

PO BOX 3471

Bilston

West Mids

WV14 6YB

If you wish to E mail me, then please do so by putting dan followed by this website address. Obviously, I'm not keen on spam so don't list the email for the robots to pick up and use.

To join the British Long Distance Swimming Association, or to find out more about the sport, click the link below:

http://www.bldsa.org.uk

Also of interest to the outdoor enthusiast is the River and Lake Swimming Association, who are campaigning against the moronic litigation and Health and safety culture who are attempting to restrict access to or regulate anything that is beyond their own physical capabilities. On a visit to Eire, I came across this sign that is a common sense solution to outdoor swimming for those of us who can't keep out of water:

In other words, swim at your own risk. Suits me. 

"Do they mean me Grandad Earthquake?" 

"No, Dan, they don't mean you."

http://www.river-swimming.co.uk

Also worth a mention is Pete Roberts website, who is one of the top men of the RLSA. Have a look on his site and join the campaign for common sense.

He also sells waterproof radio's for those of you who don't spend your swimming time talking to the fish and swans like I do. 

http:www.hometown.aol.co.uk/wildswimmer007/home.htm

If you are interested in Channel Swimming, then first you'll have to Swim Windermere or something similar before the Channel Swimming Association will consider your attempt. Click on the BLDSA link for entry details into the sport. You will at some point need to speak to someone from the CSA (not child support agency) yourself. Sandwell LDSC is pleased to have Clive Burbage as one of our members who is also a director of the Channel Swimming Association. He will help you. There are other organisations that claim to be official, but the CSA is the original and best.

http://www.channelswimmingassociation.com/ 

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