OSSOxon June 2010

ossoxon@earth.li

11 participants
5 discussions

OSS Silent Swim, Saturday 17th July/ few volunteers needed
by Kate Rew 14 Jul '10

14 Jul '10

Dear Oxford swimmers Thanks to the kindness of one of our members, Angus, and the creativity of Tracey at Oxford Brookes, I am holding a silent swim on Saturday 17th July near Abingdon. The idea, as ever, is to introduce more people into the joys of swimming. and with a meditation first, and in a very special place, should be lovely occasion. We're holding it as part of the Oxford Symposium on the Culture of Rowing & Swimming - there may be a few of you who are interested in their Friday talks. http://rowingandswimming.eventbrite.com/ I am looking for a few volunteers to help make it special for newcomers. Can you? Can you bring a non swimmer with you to help? Event details: http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/index.php?p=events <http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/index.php?p=events&s=&id=63> &s=&id=63 If you're used to swimming free on your own/with a friend, that is what we hope to achieve for a bigger group, some of whom will be first timers. The idea is to power down on the social chat, and by suggesting people not speak, allow them to enjoy all the sights, sounds and sensations of the riverbank. (I know I sound like a tree hugger. hang on, perhaps I am). Can you? A few non-swimming roles too if you have someone who might sacrifice their swim for Roles include: * Designing, laminating and cobbling together some signposts of words we can put down the riverbank for people to swim past * Turning up 7am Saturday morning to put up the event shelter, bring picnic blankets for people to sit on and lay then out, walk up and down riverbank hammering the aforementioned signpost into the bank, putting up easel with what happens when * Wearing OSS tshirt so people can ask you things about their fears of swimming/ the timetable (in a whisper), helping them with all the normal worries about shoes, bags, pike. Volunteers can buy t's at cost price * Staying to guard the bags while all else pop off and swim * Smiling * Swimming in your OSS hat so people feel reassured by your presence * Topping and tailing each swim group. While we're not responsible for everyone (it's a social swim) but only courteous to go at the front and back so we don't leave anyone behind * Rowing a boat (we can borrow some down there) * Selling OSS kit to anyone who wants it (hats, I heart the thames book, wild swim, hoodies, hats) * If you feel so inclined, bringing more tea, coffee and breakfast things that you need yourself * Taking down event shelter and tidying up when we leave (event end by 10.30am, we should all be off by 11am). * Photograph event or record it in some way for OSS posterity Let me know if you can help, and in what capacity. Many thanks Kate Timetable (approx) 7am: volunteers arrive, set up Details swimmers will receive (event location is kept secret so we have some way of controlling and knowing numbers) 8am - swimmers arrive, get ready to swim, put bags in bag shelter, sit on blankets, settle 8.15am - meditation on the banks, led by a local teacher. After this QUIET TIME! 8.25am - walk up or down the banks, led by an OSS swimmer... one route will be a swim of about a mile, the other route will be a swim of about half a mile. You will be walking barefoot in your swimming cossies, unless wearing shoes you plan to swim in, across some gravel and along the Thames path 8.35ish - get in and swim! Enjoy the sights and sounds of the riverbank. Recently we saw an oyster catcher in the Thames here, in search of freshwater mussels. The entry points are typical of rivers: a bit of clambering and reeds may be required, although we have found two sandyish beaches (but there's bound to be some mud) 9ish - emerge back at the start point! Time to reflect and share experiences. Probably keep volume down for a while, so people still swimming hear only whispers. Enjoy & share whatever food you have brought with you - thermos, croissants, camping stoves and sausages, it's up to you 9.55ish - when everyone is back and dry and has shared and eaten, we'll have a little visualisation and meditation to finish. Some things we may not have noticed in the water often come back to you at these times. 10.30am/11am; volunteers leave Kate Rew 07931 546241 Author, journalist and director of Outdoor Swimming Society <http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/> * Number 2 on Monocle's global hot list of people who deserve a bigger stage in 2010. "Stroke of genius" (Monocle, Issue 29) * "The force behind the wild swimming movement" (Triathlon 220) * "The Outdoor Swimming Society has become a cult movement." (Rowan Pelling, Daily Telegraph). * Reviews of Wild Swim by Kate Rew: "Her prose is perfect. Page after page she nails things. Will have you hunched on the sofa as though with a stash of love letters." (The New Statesman) "A wonderful - in the old sense of that term - and joyful romp of a book. So go on. Dive in" (Robert Macfarlane, author of The Wild Places) June OSS news: the OSS Midsummer Party, Big Jump, swimming Everest, social swims a-go-go, member discounts and the PM is one of us. For swimming related news, art and inspiration, sign up for the free OSS newsletter and see the stories on site now.

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Proposed 'exploratory' swim on the River Thame
by James Lowe 11 Jul '10

11 Jul '10

Hello, I have done some scouting about and around the Thame between Great Milton and where it eventually joins the Thames proper at Dorchester looking for a new and interesting swim. I have come up with a speculative route (it could be done 'in one' or split into two parts) which I'll list below, however I have no idea if the river in the proposed part is i. Deep enough to swim on all the way down ii. What the hazards are (if any) There is no foot path that runs along side all the way like the Thames, but there are some parts where a foot path does come along side. So this isn't really something I'd be comfortable doing with 'new comers' or those that don't know their own limits - so if you need to get out, how far you are from 'civilization' in case of cold or if you are nervous and would only want to swim part of it as there are no foot paths etc. It isn't that long in terms of distance (no longer say than many of the swims we have done in the past - Buscot - Kelmscott for example) but as I simply cannot walk this swim prior to attempting it, I just am not sure how long it will take. Hopefully I haven't scared you all off and wondered if any of you would be interested in having a go, with me on this. We would need a couple of cars (I have one) for the start/finish as walking back would be along a busy road and because of the lack of paths quite long. One spot does finish at the pub so it isn't all bleak. I wanted to try to get in the lesser known rivers of Oxofordshire this year and having done a big chunk of the River Windrush already in stages (which has been a 'hoot-an-a-half' so far) thought this might be a good one too. I didn't want to advertise this as an OSS Social because I don't think this is really one for those that want to get head down and hammer along nor for those that just want a gentle plod (at least not until it has been swam once and then we will all have a better idea). Here is are the proposed spots: Here is a good start point http://www.multimap.com/s/Mf9UyOf9 You can park the car about 20 yards in a lay-by and get in at the bridge. Maybe two cars max, it is a bit remote. http://www.multimap.com/s/OZ5Q0JSB is a possible in/out point although Parking here is awkward as the river is in the grounds of the manor and although the foot path goes through it, there is a 'no parking' rule in force, it might be tricky to leave a car here, you could leave it at the end of the lane but even that is awkward and quite far away. So we could swim on then to here: http://www.multimap.com/s/Mf8cyBX9 A nice easy pub-by-the-river in/out point. A bit further up is another easy in/out and park in lay-by here: http://www.multimap.com/s/Mb4T5CRC then finally get out at the bottom of a lane here: http://www.multimap.com/s/Na5f3JTD You can park the car easily here - maybe a 2 minute walk. The river is quite high at the moment, but it is a smallish one (about the size of the windrush at its largest) and I am not sure about depth all the way down, but it is a nice 'in the open and away from it all' swim. There are a variety of paths that run alongside some of it and criss cross in places, so at a push we can get out legally. Any one up for this? James (aka Adam Smith)

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Fwd: Fwd: Re: Proposed 'exploratory' swim on the River Thame
by Jeremy Wellingham 29 Jun '10

29 Jun '10

Hello James et al, I can make the 10th July (but not the 18th July) and probably any of the other dates, at the moment. I'm fine with 'heads up' breast stroke and distance / time are not a problem. Jeremy Hi James, Unable to do the 18th but the 10th would be good for me. Cheers, Jaime > From: james.lowe(a)datacore.com > To: ossoxon(a)earth.li > Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:50:04 +0100 > Subject: Re: [OSS Oxon] Proposed 'exploratory' swim on the River Thame > > Hello, > > Ok let's try to nail this down in terms of dates. > > I'd like to do either 10th or the 18th July and then if no one can > make it 24th. Sooner than later (11th is Big Jump day and 17th is > another swim for me). > > Morning start (say 10am) after another recon this weekend I'll firm up > where we start and finish. > > Probably start here > > I know Carl doesn't like it ;) but can we reply-all so those that are > interested can see what dates the others are preferring? > > Remember this will be the first time for all of us so I have no ideas > about in and out spots, how far/short/fast/deep/shallow/hazardy this > river is, so if you are in any doubts give this one a miss until 'next > time' as if it proves fun then no doubt we'll do it again or we'll be > able to give hints and tips to those that want them. > > James > > > On 29 Jun 2010, at 20:34, Jaime Tinker wrote: > > > Hi there, > > > > Not new to outdoor swimming but am to swimming in Oxfordshire. The > > exploratory swim sounds right up my alley and I've driven past it > > numerous times and considered it. I'm central Oxford and can provide > > transport for 3 others if needed. > > > > I have a fairly flexible few weekends except 17th/18th July. Were > > you thinking of any dates in particular? > > > > Cheers, > > Jaime > > > > > Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:56:16 +0100 > > > From: james.lowe(a)datacore.com > > > To: ossoxon(a)earth.li > > > Subject: [OSS Oxon] Proposed 'exploratory' swim on the River Thame > > > > > > Hello, > > > > > > I have done some scouting about and around the Thame between Great > > > Milton and where it eventually joins the Thames proper at Dorchester > > > looking for a new and interesting swim. > > > > > > I have come up with a speculative route (it could be done 'in one' > > or > > > split into two parts) which I'll list below, however I have no > > idea if > > > the river in the proposed part is > > > > > > i. Deep enough to swim on all the way down > > > ii. What the hazards are (if any) > > > > > > There is no foot path that runs along side all the way like the > > Thames, > > > but there are some parts where a foot path does come along side. > > > > > > So this isn't really something I'd be comfortable doing with 'new > > > comers' or those that don't know their own limits - so if you need > > to > > > get out, how far you are from 'civilization' in case of cold or if > > you > > > are nervous and would only want to swim part of it as there are no > > foot > > > paths etc. > > > > > > It isn't that long in terms of distance (no longer say than many > > of the > > > swims we have done in the past - Buscot - Kelmscott for example) > > but as > > > I simply cannot walk this swim prior to attempting it, I just am not > > > sure how long it will take. > > > > > > Hopefully I haven't scared you all off and wondered if any of you > > would > > > be interested in having a go, with me on this. We would need a > > couple of > > > cars (I have one) for the start/finish as walking back would be > > along a > > > busy road and because of the lack of paths quite long. > > > > > > One spot does finish at the pub so it isn't all bleak. > > > > > > I wanted to try to get in the lesser known rivers of Oxofordshire > > this > > > year and having done a big chunk of the River Windrush already in > > stages > > > (which has been a 'hoot-an-a-half' so far) thought this might be a > > good > > > one too. > > > > > > I didn't want to advertise this as an OSS Social because I don't > > think > > > this is really one for those that want to get head down and hammer > > along > > > nor for those that just want a gentle plod (at least not until it > > has > > > been swam once and then we will all have a better idea). > > > > > > Here is are the proposed spots: > > > > > > Here is a good start point > > > > > > http://www.multimap.com/s/Mf9UyOf9 > > > > > > You can park the car about 20 yards in a lay-by and get in at the > > > bridge. Maybe two cars max, it is a bit remote. > > > > > > http://www.multimap.com/s/OZ5Q0JSB is a possible in/out point > > although > > > Parking here is awkward as the river is in the grounds of the > > manor and > > > although the foot path goes through it, there is a 'no parking' > > rule in > > > force, it might be tricky to leave a car here, you could leave it > > at the > > > end of the lane but even that is awkward and quite far away. > > > > > > So we could swim on then to here: > > > > > > http://www.multimap.com/s/Mf8cyBX9 > > > > > > A nice easy pub-by-the-river in/out point. > > > > > > A bit further up is another easy in/out and park in lay-by here: > > > http://www.multimap.com/s/Mb4T5CRC > > > > > > then finally get out at the bottom of a lane here: > > > > > > http://www.multimap.com/s/Na5f3JTD > > > > > > You can park the car easily here - maybe a 2 minute walk. > > > > > > The river is quite high at the moment, but it is a smallish one > > (about > > > the size of the windrush at its largest) and I am not sure about > > depth > > > all the way down, but it is a nice 'in the open and away from it > > all' swim. > > > > > > There are a variety of paths that run alongside some of it and criss > > > cross in places, so at a push we can get out legally. > > > > > > Any one up for this? > > > > > > James (aka Adam Smith) > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > OSS Oxon mailing list > > > OSSOxon(a)earth.li > > > http://www.earth.li/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ossoxon > > > > > > Please note that OSS Oxon exists to put swimmers in touch with > > other swimmers, not to organise swim events or in any way suggest > > that outdoor swimming is a safe activity or that you should go > > swimming. If you choose to swim you do so entirely at your own risk > > and on your own initiative, and any plans you make are your own > > responsibility. > > > > Get a free e-mail account with Hotmail. Sign-up now. > > > _______________________________________________ > OSS Oxon mailing list > OSSOxon(a)earth.li > http://www.earth.li/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ossoxon > > Please note that OSS Oxon exists to put swimmers in touch with other swimmers, not to organise swim events or in any way suggest that outdoor swimming is a safe activity or that you should go swimming. If you choose to swim you do so entirely at your own risk and on your own initiative, and any plans you make are your own responsibility. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Get a free e-mail account with Hotmail. Sign-up now. <http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/197222280/direct/01/>

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16th-17th July: Hydrophilia, Oxford symposium & silent swim.
by Tim Bond 24 Jun '10

24 Jun '10

**** Message passed on on behalf of Kate Rew: Dear Oxford swimmers I am part of symposium on the Culture of Rowing & Swimming in Oxford on Friday 16th July a. come along!! Looks interesting http://rowingandswimming.eventbrite.com/. We'll be discussing hydrophilia in all it's forms b. I'm doing a silent(ish) social(ish) swim on the Saturday morning, probably Abingdon area (tbc tomorrow). They'll be a little meditation or something beforehand, and a chance to do a group swim in a very appreciative way.. probably not so new to those of you who do a lot of swimming, but quite new to others who might want to join us for a different swim. If you're coming to the symposium, you might want to come to the swim just as a swimmer. but I also need OSS volunteers to help me host the event, put on a bit of breakfast, that kind of thing. It's social in that it's not a paid for event, but atypical in that it's for people going to the symposium primarily, and we need to restrict numbers, and should expect more newbies than normal. Have a think about whether you'd like to come along, and I'll be in touch next week through Tim to find out about volunteers Many thanks Kate Kate Rew 07931 546241 Author, journalist and director of Outdoor Swimming Society <http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/> * Number 2 on Monocle's global hot list of people who deserve a bigger stage in 2010. "Stroke of genius" (Monocle, Issue 29) * "The force behind the wild swimming movement" (Triathlon 220) * "The Outdoor Swimming Society has become a cult movement." (Rowan Pelling, Daily Telegraph). * Reviews of Wild Swim by Kate Rew: "Her prose is perfect. Page after page she nails things. Will have you hunched on the sofa as though with a stash of love letters." (The New Statesman) "A wonderful - in the old sense of that term - and joyful romp of a book. So go on. Dive in" (Robert Macfarlane, author of The Wild Places) June OSS news: the OSS Midsummer Party, Big Jump, swimming Everest, social swims a-go-go, member discounts and the PM is one of us. For swimming related news, art and inspiration, sign up for the free OSS newsletter and see the stories on site now.

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Full Moon Swim
by Rebecca White 24 Jun '10

24 Jun '10

Hello All and happy belated soltice, A couple of things, firstly, for those who aren't on Facebook there is a full moon swim happening this Saturday in Northamptonshire, in Wadenhoe. A few of us from Oxford are planning to go and there are about 50 other people who've said they are coming, so should be good. The details are below, as is a link to googlemaps and the post code of the pub near which the swim starts. I think there will be someone at the beginning in Wadenhoe from 6:45pm. Secondly, I haven't got a wetsuit. I'd hope to do it without, but am not sure how sensible this is. Does anyone have one I can borrow? I am about 5 7" and a size 10-12. Many thanks and hopefully meet some of you on Saturday, Bex *FULL MOON SWIM* Saturday, June 26, 2010 7:30pm - 10:30pm Wadenhoe, Northants Description By signing up to join this swim and/or participate in this swim, you confirm that you have read and understood the OSS Swim Responsibility Statement. On June 26th, I intend to enjoy the midsummer full moon by swimming from Thorpe Waterville to Wadenhoe, a distance of approximately 2 miles, downstream. Feel free to come along if you should happen to be in the area. If we meet at the car park of Wadenhoe Church, we can get ready on the bank, then drive up to Thorpe Waterville and swim back down. There is a very fine spot on the bank at Wadenhoe, where we can end the swim, have a picnic, mess about in the river and also camp, if people wished to do so. The local Scouts have given us permission to use their campsite, which is in an adjacent field to the picnic spot/finishing point and the Church. Cost is £2 per person. If anyone did wish to camp, then further swims would be available on the Sunday. WHERE --> http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=11418477814242324… Postcode for The Fox is NN14 3ED Northern pin marks the entry to the field where we will meet. Turn right, over the cattle grid, then park near the fence on your right. On the other side of the fence is the camp-site.Southern pin marks the start point of the swim, which you will pass if you come from the A605, from the turning next to The Fox pub, Thorpe Waterville.

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OSSOxon June 2010