The First Open Water Swim of the Year

On Monday I ventured out to Billabong Lake to join some members of the Hull Barracuda Tri club for my first open water swim of the year. The facility is great, only 10 miles from home and a bargain at just £2 per session. Its a 450m swim to the top bouy, giving a nice 900m lap. I took a couple of mates up who are novices and on their first ever open water session. The water was pleasantly warm at about 17 degrees so not quite as cold as the picture. I just did the two laps as we were slightly late having had trouble finding the place. Well worth it though, and as I said a great facility. You can swim on Saturday mornings 7-8am and Monday nights 6:30-7:30. There is also a nice 4 mile run course just outside the gates to the lake so you can do a quick run afterwards if time permits. I enjoyed myself but one of the lads on his first swim didn't take to it too well and got out after a couple of hundred meters. He is going to try again in a week. As for me now I know where it is and the timings I will use it much more often as I prefer it to pool swimming. I will hope to build up the stamina and be getting 4-5 laps in as time goes by in preparation for the 4k swim at the World Champs in Holland.