OSSOxon July 2010

ossoxon@earth.li

20 participants
12 discussions

Weekend morning Thames swims?
by NEIL RICHARDSON 01 Aug '10

01 Aug '10

Following from the OSS Silent Swim, would anybody be interested in one or two more unhurried swims somewhere in the Thames early on Saturday or Sunday mornings (before there are too many boats about) during August? I can't do August 1st, 14th or 15th but other Saturday and Sunday mornings are OK at the moment. As I live in South Cerney I would prefer somewhere upstream of Oxford (would meeting at Radcot bridge be an option?) but am willing to be flexible to suit the majority. Any suggestions for dates or places? Regards Neil Richardson

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Please remove me from your mailing list:)
by Ruth Jackson-Haile 31 Jul '10

31 Jul '10

Hi, Please can you remove me from your mailing list as I have just moved to Perth Australia. Arrived yesterday and went for my first winter swim today! Very chilly but lovely. Plenty of swimming days ahead. All the best Ruth

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Moonlight swim at Fotheringhay, Northants Sat24Jul10
by Jeremy Wellingham 20 Jul '10

20 Jul '10

A little out of area for Oxon but for those who don't track Facebook this Saturday's swim might be of interest. A few of us from ossoxon went on the last full moon swim on the Nene and it was a great success, thanks to Tom Reed who is initiated it. I'm in the North Cotswolds (outside Chipping Norton) if anyone needs a lift. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=111776105538217&index=1 Jeremy 24 July · 19:30 - 23:00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Location Fotheringhay, Northants ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Created by: Outdoor Swimming Society <http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=55781602829> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ More info Before signing up to join this swim please read the OSS Swim Responsibility Statement. By signing up to join the swim and/or participating in the swim, you confirm that you have read and understand the OSS Swim Responsibility Statement. On July 24th, a group of OSS swimmers plan t...o enjoy an evening swim in the River Nene, from Tansor to Fotheringhay, a distance of approximately 2 1/2 miles. If you should happen to be passing feel free to join us. We have permission to camp on the riverbank,just past Fotheringhay Castle,( fee to be confirmed), and will no doubt picnic and splash about into the night. Another swim will be available in the morning for those who wish to do so. Meet at the campsite at or before 7.30 on the day, car ferry up to the start point and swim back at your leisure. Bring cake and goodies to placate the trolls under Fotheringhay Bridge,(and Dan).

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OSS Silent Swim and symposium this weekend
by Sefryn Penrose 15 Jul '10

15 Jul '10

Hello Oxford, Just a reminder of the weekend of swimming treats happening in and around Oxford this weekend. Scroll down for details and Kate Rew's earlier e-mail. The swim is full so hopefully everyone's registered who wanted to! There's also some talks and films as part of the 'Oxford Symposium on the Culture of Rowing and Swimming', which starts tonight with some films at 7pm at Modern Art Oxford, and continues all weekend. Enjoy! Sef 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&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.* * * * * _______________________________________________ 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.

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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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Big Jump photos
by Sefryn Penrose 12 Jul '10

12 Jul '10

Dear Big Jumpers, Thanks for coming along and making a lovely day. It was wonderful to have new jumpers and old-hand jumpers, and local lads! As I was walking back I heard a couple of picnicers telling each other how glad they were that they'd gone in, having seen us all jump in earlier - so mission accomplished I think! I have posted three pictures on the OSS Facebook - they just go straight into the main album but you should be able to find them near the top I think. Next Saturday is the silent swim near Abingdon. If anyone else has any swims they'd like to try out over the summer, then this is the forum in which to do it, and if you would like any coordinating help, just shout. Sef

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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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Big Jump
by Sefryn Penrose 09 Jul '10

09 Jul '10

Hello all, It is the Big Jump on Sunday July 11th. The Big Jump is a Europe-wide event in which we are urged to reclaim our rivers for swimming. Across Europe, people jump in the river at the same time.. ` http://www.rivernet.org/bigjump/ http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/index.php?p=events&s=&id=60 Let's meet at Walton Well Road car park in Oxford (here: http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/carpark/walton_well_road/ox2/oxford/) at 2.30pm for a 3pm jump in the Isis at Port Meadow. Bring food and drink to share or for yourself and we can make it a riverside picnic. We've identified a selection of jumping points next to each other for those that want to make a big splash and those who want to make a gentle wave. If anyone else would like to join this jump, please read the following: Simple caution: swimming, like crossing the road and going hiking, can be dangerous. Everyone attending an OSS Big Jump must be a member of the OSS (sign up on the website) and have agreed to the terms and conditions of our Swim Responsibility Statement. This basically means that you understand that there are risks to swimming that include death and you are responsible for managing your own. With the freedom swimmers have to swim outdoors, comes the responsibility to look after ourselves and not place that burden, practically or legally, on anyone else, including the OSS and all the volunteers who work for it. All OSS social swims such as the Big Jump are peer swims, with no water safety.

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wetsuits
by james.airey＠ubs.com 09 Jul '10

09 Jul '10

Hi All, Apologies for the wide mailing. Please reply only to me to keep the noise down. I'm looking for a bit of advice on wetsuits. I'm planning an outdoor swim at the end of July (Thames, downstream from Lechlade) with the wife and kids. We're all competent enough swimmers, but there is some concern about water temperature and whether we should wear wetsuits. This is only a one-off (so far) so I don't want to fork out hundreds for a specialist triathlon wetsuit, and anyway I don't think the water will be all that cold. Does anyone have experience of swimming this stretch in the summer, and an opinion of whether wetsuits are worth getting ? (wife really feels the cold, and one child in particular is very skinny so no insultation) If so, are generic ones ok to swim in for reasonably long distances (5-7k) ? I see Amazon selling them for £20-30 which seems ok. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer. Regards, James. Visit our website at http://www.ubs.com This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. E-mails are not encrypted and cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses. The sender therefore does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message which arise as a result of e-mail transmission. If verification is required please request a hard-copy version. This message is provided for informational purposes and should not be construed as a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any securities or related financial instruments. UBS Limited is a company registered in England & Wales under company number 2035362, whose registered office is at 1 Finsbury Avenue, London, EC2M 2PP, United Kingdom. UBS AG (London Branch) is registered as a branch of a foreign company under number BR004507, whose registered office is at 1 Finsbury Avenue, London, EC2M 2PP, United Kingdom. UBS Clearing and Execution Services Limited is a company registered in England & Wales under company number 03123037, whose registered office is at 1 Finsbury Avenue, London, EC2M 2PP, United Kingdom. UBS reserves the right to retain all messages. Messages are protected and accessed only in legally justified cases.

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Re: [OSS Oxon] Finalised 'exploratory' swim on the River Thame - Sat 10th July
by Katie Smith 08 Jul '10

08 Jul '10

Hello James If it's a 10 start, I'll be there. Sadly, if it's 11 I can't make it. When the consensus has been reached, I'll confirm if I'm able to come. Cheers, Katie 07919 344 165 On 8 Jul 2010, at 12:24, James Lowe <james.lowe(a)datacore.com> wrote: Hello, Had no confirmations from anyone. Did I manage to put you all off!? James On 04/07/2010 10:22, James Lowe wrote: Hello, I went for a second look yesterday. I think we should aim for starting at Cuddesdon Mill: http://www.multimap.com/s/Mf9UyOf9 and finish near the pub in Chiselhampton http://www.multimap.com/s/Mf8cyBX9 We can meet at the Pub get changed and then one or more of us can drive you to the start point, leaving cars in the Pub car park for when you get back. The Pub starts serving at 12:00 so if we start at 10:00 we may get there too early if anyone wants a drink, so perhaps an 11:00 start might be more preferable to some? I'll leave that open - I can do any time but I think earliest at 10:00 gives people a chance to get to the start that want to come. I'll say it again, that this is more than likely not going to be a 'proper' swim, inasmuch as the start point (and finish points) are about a foot deep. Now there is an angling club that fish along its banks (according to the signs) but that is no guarantee of depth, I didn't do any swim yesterday and could only see the first and last 50 yards of the route at each end. Maybe it gets much deeper, but maybe not. I am expecting that large parts of this 'swim' are going to be in a 'couple of feet' of water (i.e. mainly floating or pulling yourself along the bottom) which may not appeal to some. I could be wrong, but I don't want to set any expectation. This is an 'exploratory' swim in the truest sense, so if the possibility of walking a lot in the water doesn't appeal or you are looking for a gentle breastroke (or head-down crawl) swim all the way, this is probably not for you. If you are looking for some adventure and a chance to 'trek' about in the river in the middle of the Oxfordshire Countryside then this is could be the swim you want. So bring footwear that has a reasonably tough sole - swim socks maybe ok, but they may get ripped if the river bed is particularly stoney-sharp - as I do expect to be dragging myself out of the water and walking along the river (there will be no real opportunities to get out on the bank as it is private land along most of the route). If this is the case you will be getting in and out of the water quite a lot, so depending on the weather you may want to bring a suit of some kind if you get cold easily - and again for protection against rubbing your body against a shallow riverbed. Finally I also expect that those landowners who own either side of the river probably don't get much boat traffic (let alone rubber-clad individuals) in 'their' river so we may also get shouted at, quizzed, maybe just ignored or we may not meet a soul. So be prepared for minor confrontation (it has happened to us in the past - usually just being polite and explaining the 'adventure' or the 'trying to swim as many rivers in Oxfordshire as we can' has help people at least understand what we are doing there even if they are still uncomfortable. We all know that the legalities of river swimming is a very grey area in England and while I am not intending to do any kind of trespass, people can be rather defensively aggressive if they think you are 'on their land' when you are just passing through on the river, so if this makes you uncomfortable, again, this might not be the swim for you. I don't expect trouble but you just never know. Oh, if I haven't put you off already (or maybe I have whetted your appetite even more?) I need to just re-iterate that you swim at your own risk. I (or anyone else) will take no responsibility for any bad things that may happen to you. Swimming in rivers is hazardous and we provide no safety guarantees. If you do elect to come along you are doing so based on just that you happen to be joining me for a swim nothing more. If you are in any doubt, don't get in the river. I will post a message here probably Friday just to confirm. If the weather is really (really) bad I may not go, but a little rain is not going to stop me. I can pick people up from (and drop back to Didcot or Culham stations if needed. if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. James On 30 Jun 2010, at 00:46, davebowen47(a)tiscali.co.uk wrote: Am keen to come along, never done anything like this but confident. 18th is better for me. For future oxon events am able to provide a safety boat on the thames. Dave Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone -----Original Message----- From: James Lowe <james.lowe(a)datacore.com> Sender: ossoxon-bounces(a)earth.li Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:50:04 To: <ossoxon(a)earth.li> 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. _______________________________________________ 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. _______________________________________________ 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.

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OSSOxon July 2010