As the alarm goes off at 3.45am I literally jump out of bed to stop me putting the alarm on snooze. Am I off on holiday on an early flight to some exotic country? No…..
I was ‘invited’ to capture the goings on at the Lido’s Summer Solstice swim for Friends of Peterborough Lido (FOPL). Did I bite off more than I could chew? zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Quick stop in the bathroom, warm clothes on and off I go.
There’s a bit of a queue at 3.55am when I arrive and names are being ticked off by the Swimming Guards and Claire from FOPL. The sun is already peaking with a fantastic red sky above the trees as I walk through the gates and people are already in! They’re keen!
No ‘oooohs’, No ‘brrrrrrs’, I was thinking the water would be at least a little chilly from the previous nigh but when I put my hand in…well it’s warm like bath water. Swimmers are simply easing their way down the steps and glide in as if they are in the Caribbean!
Oodles of people are disrobing their thick coats and jackets and getting in from old to young, and talking about that…Francis stood behind me in the queue with her 4 year old daughter Emma in a pushchair to keep warm, she likes swimming but was bringing her here for the first time for the early sunrise. How fabulous! Emma I think you’ve made a record at possibly being the ‘Youngest Summer Solstice Swimmer’!!!
I spoke to others enjoying their swims: Sylvia attends often for early morning swims and brought her friend Radka for the experience. Both Peterborough ladies, they simply wanted to experience ‘something different‘ and decided to get up this early and do the swim.
A set of lovely flowery-capped ladies were at the side of the pool chatting. Sisters Hayley and Karin had brought along Karin’s 12 year old daughter Phoebe who was loving it and Karin’s long time friend Louise. They looked great swimming together and enjoying the experience – you ever thought about doing some synchronised swimming ladies?
Arriving around 4.20am Justin had brought along his son Arthur (aged 8) for a unique event, both wide awake and rushing to get into the warm water.
If you’re thinking, I don’t want to go swimming in the early morning, or at all, as the water’s going to be cold, you’re wrong! You need to come and give it a go, you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Third time Summer Solstice swimmer Dawn and member of Yaxley Runners was here to do the swim too, she loves the experience of it, said how lovely and warm it was today, and came in from Yaxley.
Julia, who is a regular at swimming here at the Lido, along with her friends Alison and Debbie, who are actually river swimmers, came in from the other side of Oundle and the Deeping. Gosh that means they were up really early to enjoy their morning swim.
Harriet (14 years) comes and does the Solstice Swim when it’s on and told Mum, Helen, that she had to come too. Helen usually swims in indoor pools around Peterborough as she’s currently tasked with a 44 mile accumulated swim and raising money for Diabetes UK. (well done Helen) She’s enjoying the sunrise with her daughter, a wonderful time to come and swim.
I spoke to Mandy in her wonderful cerise pink swimming hat, who was in the swimmer’s lane. She thought she wouldn’t manage to get here because she missed it last year, but, to her excitement she did and she’s here. She set her alarm and finally made it. Mandy swims here regularly and also comes on a Saturday morning to the Coached Swimming lessons by Sophie Etheridge. You may have seen them advertised – Sophie is a Channel Swimmer and also the founder of Adaptive and Disabled Open Water Swimmers. She’s doing a fantastic job of teaching and encouraging people in their technique, open water skills and obviously giving everyone a full body workout. (Find out more at www.camswim.co)
More and more people are arriving, Rebecca, Hannah and Tom, are enjoying the morning, while already with their swim completed, Fiona & Debbie were making the baps in the cafe, whereas Carly and Louise who swim together a couple of times a week, they like the fact that it’s a 50m pool, that it’s the Lido and that it’s outdoors.
It’s 4.45am and the sun has risen, there’s still a little light orange but the sunrise is now over. What an experience that has been! If you’ve never done it before I definitely recommend it.
Did I get in, you may ask? No, how could I with my phone and notes in hand! … However, I’ve booked myself onto the Sunset Solstice Swim so I can swim with moon…. See you there.
Susan
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