Mid Argyll wild swimmers: 2010 report

This year there has been a great deal of swimming in all sorts of outdoor locations across Argyll and beyond.  The success of the group is due largely to the fact that the swims are not organised by any one person but everyone contributes ideas and produces a plan for whatever swim they wish to host.

About 25 swimmers have been involved over the summer, with a peak turnout of 16 on one occasion. We have sometimes been joined by up to 8 children and a couple of dogs and have swum in the company of beavers (well we assume they were there), porpoises, seals, an otter, basking sharks and lots of jellyfish.

We have had a swim from a fishing boat and some accompanied by kayaks. We have swum from piers, beaches, boats and assorted rocky places, both in fresh water and salt; across whirlpools and under waterfalls.

We have had barbeques, open fires, hot drinks from flasks, tea and home baking, and lots of chittery bites, not to mention an occasional glass of wine and a few beers.

The regular swims on Tuesday evenings have been a mix of distance swims and more leisurely plooters.

Most people wear wetsuits but spurred on by 2 members who swim all year round, a few have ventured out of the neoprene.

We keep returning to favourite locations at Loch Choille Bharr and Loch Leathan but have also enjoyed Craignish, Loch Aral, Barmore Island, Taynish, Keills, Ormsary, Ardrishaig, Carsaig, Achnamara and Crinan.

Weekend swims have also been popular and have included a weekend trip to the west of Jura and day trips to Easdale,  Ardcastle and Loch Eck.

There have been 2 evening swims with bonfires at Carsaig and another is planned for the full moon at the end of October, this time at Ardfern.

Adventures involving kayaks have been enjoyed as have many dips in lochs, rivers and the sea when folk have been out walking, biking and sailing.

The epic Corryvreckan Crossing was completed by a group of 8 swimmers on the official outing, with a couple of other crossings following up, including one with no wetsuit and one who managed the return crossing too.  Two of the group swim almost every day all year round and the ‘Swim Everyday in June’ challenge was completed by one of us.

Swimmers from the group have taken part in many open water swimming events this season, including the British Gas Great Swim Series, Epic Events lakes series, The Durti Tri, Lochgoilhead Tri, Coniston Old Man Triathlon,  Bala Triathlon and the Barcelona Triathlon.

We had a team of 18 entered in the Great Scottish Swim which was cancelled due to blue green algae, but swam a mile in Loch Eck instead. We have also been interviewed and filmed swimming for the BBC programme Escape to the Country.

Evening swims have ended for the winter now, due to the lack of light – but the water is only beginning to cool down so sporadic daytime swims will continue. A facebook page has been set up to help share ideas on these.

So to next year – reconnoitring for a couple for further afield trips has begun and no doubt will continue throughout the winter.

Everyone who wants to swim is welcome to suggest a location, and indeed is expected to do so. So get out exploring and come up with some plans for next year. Making full use of the Scottish Countryside Access Code lets us swim virtually anywhere but this must be done responsibly so please check out suitable parking, safe entry / exit sites, check for dangers and think about any impact on wildlife and other land or water users.

Please send suggestions to me at lorna.macgregor@hotmail.co.uk along with suitable dates and whether it is best for an evening or a day / weekend event. However please note that just saying ‘How about Loch xyz’ doesn’t count. We need a detailed location and plan.

There is likely to be some interest in swims which also incorporate walking / mountain biking and / or kayaking and maybe even camping, so let’s have some ideas for these too.

Non swimmers and families are always welcome but everyone must be aware that they are entirely responsible for their own safety. There is no group or club liability.

You  will all be invited to a planning meeting, perhaps with a meal, in February,  so get the ideas recorded by then and we can make a up the programme for 2011.

Lorna Macgregor, Mid Argyll Tri and Cycle Club