Originally Posted by
BradC
Everyone knows everyone in this town and of course the community of open water swimmers is even smaller and tighter (I've seen your plate). Her skipper no-showed at the start line last year, so I promised her mum I'd make sure it happened this time around.
I was geared up for the RCS, but a couple of nights before she suspected it might get canned and so managed to sneak an entry in for the PtP. I know the RCS is uptight for a reason, but the mob running the PtP just made the whole event so much more relaxed and fun. Clearly easier being half the size, but it was just so well organised. Nothing like walking into a skippers briefing and being handed a beer as you walk in the door.
I did wonder about the boat going down. I only heard the initial pan call and then the R100 side of the radio chat as I was going under the bridges. Always nice to hear "all persons accounted for".
I've put my hand up to do it again next year. Just need to get this bloody starboard shaft seal sorted. Don't think I'd be as keen with a team. All that changeover stuff is nightmarish. I have 2 engines for a reason, and if I'm on the water I'm not stopping either of them for anyone. I watched some of those sprint teams go past. One swimmer between 60 and 120 seconds then rotate. None of them stopped their engines. Glad to hear the prop bite was minor. With 3 doctors and 3 nurses for support I got all the war stories.