Alison Hicks describes Brockwell Swimmers memorable trip to Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door:
Of the first Brockwell Swimmers sea swim excursion, I had high expectations: the crystal clear waters of Lulworth Cove, swimming straight through Durdle Door, drying off in the sun and a beach picnic of cold ham, hard-boiled eggs, jam tarts and lashings of ginger beer. But alas, it was not meant to be quite like that. After several sunny bank holidays already this year, it was too much to ask that the final one of 2018 would be the same. Sunday 26thAugust came and we were met with rain, wind and dark clouds. Cripes!
But the comparisons to Enid Blyton’s Dorset didn’t end there as what we had was an awfully good adventure. While Plan A was off, there was no disappointing cancellation email, we carried on regardless and our highly accomplished guides for the day, Steve and Lisa, proved themselves masters of rolling with the punches and flexing the itinerary to the weather conditions worsening by the minute.
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We pressed on and entered the water at Lulworth Cove for our first swim which could be described as a soggy spin cycle, in which it was difficult to make out the grey of the water from the grey of the sky. But the communal mood was far from bleak, buoyed by the neon brightness of the tow floats – that many of us were experimenting with for the first time. Our merry tribe of club regulars, new London faces with a thirst for the unknown, as well as several Dorset-based swim fans along for the ride – left the water refreshed, exhilarated and far from perturbed.
A pot of tea later, despite being given an out and permission to get straight back on the A31 outta there, we were keen for more. We travelled to Durdle Door by car and entered the water for a second time via a mad mudslide scramble down the cliff face. It was worth the effort. The sea air couldn’t have been fresher and sheltered by a bank of rocks we enjoyed a blissful paddle across the bay and being gentled bobbed about by the waves for good measure.
Then it was time to take refuge in the pub for lunch, elated if not a little damp. Most of us are keen to return, either to the same spot or a coastal stretch anew. We’re taking comfort that the conditions are unlikely to be as challenging although maybe not as capable of providing the same sense of achievement. Keep an eye on the website for news of the next day trip of discovery – anyone and everyone welcome!