Dave Stevens from Calne will swim Windermere in memory of his son and to raise funds for the Make a Wish Foundation
Since we last spoke I’ve been very busy swimming and organising things. I have visited Lake Windermere and had my first view of my challenge and I must say it’s long!!!!, but so very beautiful. I swam twice when I was there – first I swam across and back which was about 2 miles, but had to keep stopping watching out for boats! I think the passengers in the ferry were quite surprised to see me waving at them.
My second swim was at 5am which was so beautiful as there was not a soul around and by 5.30am I was in the middle of Windermere bobbing around. I managed 3 miles that swim, but to be honest I was in awe of the scenery. I organised our accommodation and sorted the boat hire and had a good chat with the lake warden.
My training is going well. I managed a 4 hour swim last Sunday at Lake 32 in the Cotswolds. With a distance of 9.1k. Windermere is 17.5K so over half way all though it’s going to be tough as Windermere is a lot choppier, and a lot of people complain of sea sickness while swimming it, I hope I don’t suffer !
I’ve been training in Lake 32 land Lake 17 with Jason Tait of South West Swim who have sponsored me as their charity swimmer of the year with lots of great advice and freebees.
I’ve also had the pleasure of swimming in Lake 62 which is a little more private lake, run by Luke Shipway of Events Logic. Last Saturday a woodpecker flew over my head as I was swimming. I’m also swimming the Bowood Triathlon, only the swim mind! also sponsored by Events Logic.
I have also decided to swim Weymouth Bay as a training event for fun on the 10th of July. Setting off from Weymouth Pavilion at around 10am swimming around 3.4k to Bowleaze Pier, anyone is welcome to come down and give us a wave. It’s a lovely place to take the kids, we spent many lovely family holidays in Weymouth which is one of the reasons I’m swimming there.
A big thank you to Corsham Print for sorting out my posters and flyers (see above) you may see one soon as we flood the area, lol.
I feel very humbled to be enjoying nature all around us if we open our eyes. I’ve had the pleasure of some wonderful sunrises of which I’m glad I’ve not missed, and I’ve swam with a few friends and now it’s warming up hopefully a few more!
You can follow Dave’s progress on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/Tylor21windermere7september
or donate at www.justgiving.com/ David-Stevens13/