Welcome...
Welcome to the King's
Cormorants website. Here you can find
training schedules,
contact details, information about our sessions and
links
to other useful swimming resources.
In our
events section you can
find details on forthcoming meets and results, such as Barnet, the Worlds,
Surreys, and open water swims.
Need advice on
planning your training year, setting targets and how schedules are
structured to help you achieve your aims then take a look at Jane's
Why train
And on the
training page
schedules from the 2008 and 2009 are available to download as well as
ones for particular distances or for sprints.
Also
Jane and Phil's advice on competing for the first time can be found
on the
training page.
Links to tips from Olympic swimmers can be found on the
training page such as Steve Parry on better turns
Information about
swimming books, magazines, and dvds can be found on the
news page
Results and future
events are on the events page
and links to swimwear suppliers and
Masters organisations. National, European and World Records links
are on the links page
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Latest
News.....
Events page
updated 25th July with links to ASA South East Region Meet 3rd Oct;
Poole Masters Meet 3rd Oct; Berks and Bucks Meet 16th Oct; and ASA
Nationals 29-31 Oct
What motivates Channel
Swimmers? A sociologist is taking the challenge as part of her
research into extreme sporting culture.
Full story
Congratulations
to Jackie Patel
on winning the Victor Laudorum in the 45-54 age group, and for taking part
in the
Great London Swim in
the Royal Victoria Dock.
And if you want to try
Open Water Swimming then why not the
ASA
Open Water 1km Swim is taking place on Sunday 1st August at
Rother Valley Country Park and is open to anyone 12 years or over who can
swim 1,500m in the pool non-stop.
LEANDER,
LORD BYRON ….AND ME! –
SWIMMING FROM EUROPE TO ASIA - Susanna swims across the Hellespont
On 3rd May 2010, Susannah and her
husband Michael with 139 others took part in the Byron Bi-centennial
swimming race across the Hellespont, the narrow channel which divides
Europe and Asia. For 90 minutes this international shipping lane was
closed to tankers and cruise ships.
The poet, Lord Byron was believed
to have been the first person to swim across this historic stretch of
water in modern times. He crossed on his second attempt on 3 May 1810,
following in the “footsteps” of Leander of Greek mythology who was alleged
to have swam across nightly to visit his lover Hero. The Hellespont is a
major shipping channel with strong, changeable currents and, in May,
chilly water. Lord Byron has our respect.
We joined 139 others on the shore
of the Hellespont on the Bank Holiday Monday. In the event the swim was
tougher than we (or anyone else) expected. We had been advised to train
for a 4 1/2km swim but current assisted so the equivalent of 3-3 1/2k and
for water temperatures of 16-18 degrees C. The winning time (a similar
race is run in August annually) was expected to be 40-50 minutes. In fact
due to a combination of circumstances, the length of the swim was 5-6km
and the currents were not particularly favourable; the water temperature
was 13 degrees C, which meant that many people including me wore full wet
suits (which they had not trained in), the water was rough and the winning
time was just under 90 minutes!
We can’t say that we enjoyed
the swim. Susannah followed Jane Asher’s good advice at the start and kept
to the back and one side to avoid being swum over. For much of the first
half Susanna used breaststroke as the chop made it almost impossible to
get a rhythm going with front crawl. Susannah commented "that I tried to
remain positive, but there were several times when I doubted my ability to
finish".
However, I did finish in 2 hours
and 8 minutes and my husband, Michael, the oldest swimmer taking part,
finished in 2 hours and 24 minutes. 20 swimmers did not make it across. It
was a great event to have taken part in and I’m glad I did it. The current
Lord Byron was there as part of the event and his 19 year old son finished
the swim in a very creditable time.
The race will be run again in
August this year. The water will be warmer, the course shorter and it
should be another iconic swim. If anyone wants to take part contact
Swimtrek
www.swimtrek.com
who organized it superbly.
Susanna and
Michael relaxing following the swim
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