[OSS Oxon] Finalised 'exploratory' swim on the River Thame - Sat 10th July

Thu Jul 8 12:24:02 BST 2010

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 at 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 at datacore.com>
>> Sender: ossoxon-bounces at earth.li
>> Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:50:04
>> To: <ossoxon at 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 at datacore.com
>>>> To: ossoxon at 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)
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
>>>> 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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>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> OSSOxon at earth.li
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>>
>> 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 at 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.
>