Swim Start Time - 22:22pm
December 2nd 2020
Causeway Coast
Chairty AWARE NI
I did not get off to a good start. The first image shows my first swim tonight, I ended up swimming twice. The current was really strong to the west. I was finding it difficult to overcome it and so I tried to tack across it which worked a bit but was using lots of energy. I decided to stop, run to the far end of the beach and start another swim. At that end there was a strong current running to the east but i broke free and the surges pushed me towards shore and then the current to the east stopped the further i swam to the west. In the end I got some good distance done tonight.
Incase you are wondering, when I get in from a swim I'm very warm despite the cold. However, I immediately get the layers on. Like everything in life, being in good health and fitness means I can keep this up for as long as it takes to swim 100km. I go home and eat and make hot juice. Swimming is only part of this really, making sure I'm well fueled all day ahead of the next swim and then refueling after the swim is all part of being able to keep this up.
Please if you are reading this, take a few minutes and make a donation to AWARE NI at this link....
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/al-mennie
Info - I am swimming a total of 100km through the darkness, in the darkest and coldest months of the year off the North Coast of Ireland. My aim...to inspire those who may be struggling in dark times to keep going. I also aim to raise awareness and funds for the depression Charity Aware NI. We all face dark times in life at some point and it can be extremely overwhelming.
Safety - Please don't think that because I am doing this that you too should do this or something similar. I am very experienced in the sea with knowledge that is only gained through many years of exposure to the sea in all her moods. I have a safety and location system in place including continual contact with people on land every time I swim.