March/April.

The early Spring sunshine prompted my phone to ring: Sealskin; Martin Davies and Simon Kimberley all called within hours of each other and asked me what the lake temperature was. What am I, I asked the Met office? Despite this early enthusiasm it was a few weeks before Sealskin made it in first, sporting a Chubby Brown style flying helmet, and wearing more rubber than a Soho nightclub fetishist. Martin was two days behind and enjoyed several bouts of prolonged shivering bringing with him Richard Miles, another fireman and a keen triathlete. Richard later came 8th in the Fire Brigade cycling championships, and with Martin Davies took the bikes to France to follow the final stages of the Tour de France. When Martin returned, he donned his wetsuit to get the feel for his race and swam more than he had ever done before. I'm not sure where he found this enthusiasm, either it was in the Alps or inside his wetsuit. Wherever it was, it took him all the way to complete the Sherbourne Ironman Triathlon. Richard Miles went too, completing the difficult course in under twelve hours, a superb achievement. These two Fireman certainly keep themselves in good order. Jamie Mackay also paid a few visits in April too, getting himself ready for the coming season.

May/June

May 2nd, my seventh wedding anniversary was an occasion that had to be marked - Mrs Earthquake duly obliged by accompanying me on her first lap of the year. Was this what she had in mind all those years ago when I talked of a life of adventure? Ah, wedded bliss, you can't beat it. Lionel Spittle joined the celebrations, along with Duncan Hough who led the charge of the BRaTS in a well advertised debut that consisted of Paul Barker, Anne Marie Bamforth, Ade Carter, John Dyer, Sally Edwards and Zoe Hanson. www.tritalk.co.uk is the place where the boasts, hopes and announcements are made. No one is safe, least of all Sealskin, whose early symptoms of pneumonia were comforted with "Get back in the lake, you fairy." I wonder who said that?

Michelle Arnold, Richard Davidson, and Darron Corden returned soon after to begin the serious business of hard laps - all of them making the trip to Bala 2 way - Darron winning again, Richard 4th and Michelle easily completing her first attempt in a good time. Nicky Scott made a tentative return following a damaged shoulder, but had no real trouble in winning the Bala 3k. The Corden legacy to the sport of long distance swimming has been in the making for over 25 years, and May 30th saw the latest contribution - Darron's daughter, Emily, aged eleven, swam a lap with me and expressed her intention to join the club and swim the Ashford Mile. Sixteen days later, Emily swam her first mile. Three further practice miles, and one sesssion of a mile and a half later, and the Ashford mile was upon us. The conditions were good, and despite having problems with her goggles steaming up and the sometimes uncomfortable closeness of other competitors, Emily beat her existing best mile time by about two minutes on the day, a superb achievement. Emily's effort gained her the under 16 trophy, and she competed in a few BLDSA novice races too.

July

The Ashford Mile also provided the setting for some titanic battles - Stuart MacKay moved from the under 16 category to contest the big prize. There was only one problem - Darron, and he wasn't about to give in to youth, no matter what ambition it harboured. In the event it was only three seconds that separated Stuart from the winner's trophy, but surely that near taste of victory will spur him on in the future. Last years SLDSC Swimmer of the Year Nicky Scott recovered from injury to just edge in front of  Michelle Arnold whilst elsewhere two giants of the club were also engaged in fierce competition  - Three times Midlands ASA mile champion Jim MacKay managed to prevail against Director of the Channel Swimming Association Clive Burbage. I don't think that anyone would want to get between those two, but somehow Mrs Earthquake managed to find a way round them both to record her fastest ever mile time - four minutes faster than 2003's 34 minutes.  I managed to provide some entertainment on the quayside, though it was unscheduled. I had thought my days as a showman were behind me, but Frank Sinatra said that too, as I recall. Rob Acton and Graham Diggett also enjoyed the race, with a rare sighting of Neil Goodman also observed by many.

August

Terrible news reached us. Mark Rickhuss died. Mark and his Dad John were 2 of the original 7 that launched the club. Losing them both so unexpectedly can only be described as devastating. Mark suffered a heart attack whilst accompanying his friend in the last mile of a Channel Swim. All of us who knew Mark were impressed by his ability and moreover his attitude. He had the confidence of a man happy with himself, knowing that he was capable of great things without any pretensions or arrogance. I'll miss him, and I know that I'll not be alone in that.

Michelle was very active over the summer, competing in Surf livesaving championships, Long distance swims, both in this country and abroad. We had some hard training battles too - I haven't had to swim so hard since battling Manjit Rai when we were training for Windermere in 2002.

Richard Davidson achieved runner up at Derwentwater, his season best performance. Excellent swimming Richard.

The European Sprint Triathlon had three SLDSC members competing - Ade Carter, Duncan Hough and Zoe Hanson. Ade would only comment that he enjoyed the experience, and that the 21 mile cycle course contained 18 miles of uphill. Duncan Hough in the Masters came 22nd; Zoe Hanson was 6th, both invited to Honolulu for the World Championships. 

The consensus after cycling on the continent was summed up by Richard Miles: "There aren't any hills in Britain," he said simply.

We also welcomed new members Rachel Houston, Dave Rose and Catherine Hingley to our number, hoping that their ambitions will be a little easier to achieve if they enjoy training with us. Dr Pete Davies also found his way to us en route to a triathlon in Austria. Joy Cullen's annual visit from Eire was non swimming this year due to injury, though the beaches and swimming pools of Ireland were aware of her prescence.

There can be no better reference than the honest appraisal of a long standing friend. Nick "Too Late" Goodall's talents were extolled by Graham Goodall ( no relation) who stated "That _____'ll get a _______ knighthood. He will. He's the sort." Nick was determined to leave us last year, turning away from the delights of open water swimming in favour of a season of expeditions on foot and by canoe for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. I'm hoping that he'll return soon.

Simon Kimberley made a slow recovery from his year of decorating and DIY, brought about by promises made in 2003 whilst spending all his spare time training for the World Ironman Triathlon Championships in Florida. Elephants and wives who are promised work around the house never forget...Escaping for a weekend away, Simon qualified to go to America for the Alcatraz Triathlon. They drop you off a boat into the shark infested water, and assuming you make it to shore, you get to carry on cycling and running. Simon also raced the train and occasionally ran with that superman of Ultra distance Running Glyn Marsden. If we could only entice Glyn to swim I'm sure that he would find new routes we never thought possible - Great Yarmouth to Brugges perhaps, or St Davids to Rosslare? Glyn can run 150 miles in one session. How far could he swim if he trained in the same manner?

Clive Burbage swam another nine hours in the Channel, bringing his total mileage up to 62. It was surely all the more difficult without the support of John and Mark who had been his rescue team in the past. I was pleased to hear reports of the BBC coverage of Clive's attempt, but most of all to hear his voice the day after, home safe and sound, if a little disappointed. I don't think there's any failure to be talked of. To attempt to swim across the busiest shipping lane in the world, sometimes with 300ft of water beneath is a colossal achievement. He's determined to make it, and has already booked a return trip. We all wish him the best of luck.

Weymouth saw the Mackays out in force for a sea mile. Jamie won, closely followed by Stuart. Jim was third in his age group. What a family! Jim sent me a text message on 29th August that read: "Stuart & I had an adventure today. We swam from Lalonde to Bregancon 5 k . Strong headwind all the Way. rough sea rounding last headland into estagnal bay. Tough swim for me. 2 hours. Stu stung by jelly fish under his arm v bad after 3 k. For Sldsc & in memory of john & mark r. Also our friend tony. Jim." I smiled when I read this message, and am smiling now as I write - it's part of the spirit of the club which is undefinable but very real. I have to wonder how the Jellyfish managed to miss Jim and sting Stuart, perhaps a mystery that will never come to light. Jamie also came 5th in the Grand Prix final of the ASA 5k championships, a splendid achievement.

September

Richard Davidson represented us at Windermere with a valiant effort gaining him 6th place. He told me that he was disappointed, but was already keen to better it next year. Meanwhile, Ian Prosser, a former Captain of the Birmingham Lifeguard Group joined us with an ambition for some winter swimming, a man after my own heart. Ian also introduced another lifeguard/fireman to the club - Richard Davies. This could make things a little confusing, being as we now have 3 firemen, 3 Richards, and 3 men with the surname Davies.

Before I could even take an extra breath the conventional swimming season was drawing to an end. Our annual swimmer of the year trophy in memory of John Rickhuss was presented to Emily Corden, who gained votes of encouragement from the club. Well done Emily.

We finished the season with our first club championships. Darron Corden's fortieth birthday celebration was to be first home in the mile sprint. John Dyer and Matt Wardle from Warwick Water Polo club battled it out for the under 40s title. "Chuck a ball in front of Darron," said a member on quayside, "and they might have a go at catching him." Lionel Spittle easily took the over 50s medal. With Clive Burbage easing back into the lake following his Channel adventure, and Rob Acton zig zaging his way around the lake, all finished with smiles, the water a pleasant 60oF, great for the time of year. Catherine Hingley and Richard Davies pursued their own challenges in the choice time trial, whilst the Triathlon's three categories of  women's event, over 40 mens and under 40 mens were won by Club Captain Hannah Lietzau, Simon Kimberley and Dan Earthquake, whoever he is. Before anyone asks why there isn't an over 40s womens race - well Joy Cullen would be the only contender, and she couldn't make it. Simon also won the Bob Cooper Memorial medal for his outstanding cycle ride in the club triathlon. Bob was a cycling enthusiast, sadly lost on the roads twenty Septembers ago whilst engaged in his favourite activity. I'm sure that he would have admired Simon's achievements. Our thanks go to the Birmingham Lifeguards who kept us safe; the council for the use of the facility, and our sponsors - four local businessmen who contributed trophies, medals and assistance to our club championships- David Flaherty of www.2ndInsight.co.uk provides Alternative treatments from his shop in Halesowen. He's helped me overcome a long standing injury and kept me off the dreaded painkillers. Uton Lear of Lear Stationers provides a comprehensive printing service. Without Uton and his son Marvin, my literary ambitions would still be hopeful, rather than than actual - copies of which are in the British Library. Kelvin Harris repairs and upgrades computers whilst providing expert tuition to those who need assistance. Without Kelvin, we wouldn't have the SLDSC page on www.danearthquake.com. Finally, thanks to Graham Goodall who runs a scrap yard in Monmore Green, Wolverhampton. I'm a regular visitor, he's kitted out my workshop and lent me an anvil to lift, amongst other things. Graham also provides honest references, as our friend Nick has discovered.

October

And so with summer gone, officially anyway, the darker evenings came. The clocks going back but the temperatures didn't really drop: Rob Acton, Ian Prosser, Martin Davies, Simon Kimberley, and Richard Davies battled it out to be last in for this year. New member Pete Mathews may have something to say about that, joining us on October 1st with a background of winter dips and an ambition to be OLD KING COLD. Several people expressed an interest for this year's competition - those who never made it know who they are...

November

An unexpected call from Sealskin led to the pair of us swimming across the River Severn on November 9th. "It's only that wide," said Matt Darby, holding his arms outstretched - but we were not crossing at the source - we swam where the big bridges are between

Bristol and Chepstow - with the kind assistance of the Severn Area Rescue Association. It took us an hour and a half to do it, and the last swimmers to cross that particular stretch were the US NAVY SEALS ten summers ago with wetsuits and flippers. Of course, it being only November, I didn't need anything other than standard swimming kit under BLDSA rules. For photos of the swim and to see what else the rubber man is up to on www.sealskin.net.

December

Early December bought the frost and snow, leaving just two of us to enjoy the sharpness. Anything below 40oF becomes a challenge, but we laughed our way through a few hard sessions. Christmas Morning, I joined the Irish for a swim in the Sallins Canal in County Kildare  laughing again as 8 others got in and out very quickly. They percieved it to be cold, but I wasn't. The hospitality of the Irish was superb, and I enjoyed my second can of beer of the year in good company after the swim. New Year's Eve fell upon us, and I found myself swimming for the 126th time of 2005 outdoors. Ian Prosser and Pete Matthews joined me for an immersion marathon that we call OLD KING COLD, in Sandwell, the swimming centre of my universe. With the Birmingham Lifeguards looking after the safety side, temperature was recorded as 37 degrees fahrenheit, and we were joined by a wetsuited Simon Kimberley after a quarter of an hour or so. Pete managed an admirable 15 minutes, a superb effort. Simon comfortably did 25, joining Ian and I for a leisurely half mile. Ian exited at 42minutes 10seconds, I was out just after in 43minutes 5seconds, keeping the title of Old King Cold for another year. I've been pleased to communicate this year with other winter swimmers, some of whom have declared that they could take this title. You know where I am.