A dozen swimmers had to be pulled from the sea yesterday after an abortive Christmas Day attempt to swim around Brighton pier was hit by heavy seas, above.

Brighton Swimming Club abandoned the traditional swim after 8ft waves and 30mph winds battered the pier. Hundreds of people ignored warnings of the most dangerous weather to hit the event for decades.

Paul Smith, of Brighton Swimming School, was one of the rescuers. He said: %u201CWe did 12 rescues altogether. One man in his sixties was bashed down by a wave completely and went right under, but me and a friend managed to scoop him up. The wave then squashed us both and we lost him . . . he popped up again beside me. He was very upset %u2013 he%u2019d had a close shave."

(Via Twelve rescued as high winds and huge waves hit annual pier swim - Times Online: .)

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| outdoor swimming | 27 December 2007; 1:10:06 AM |# | | Discuss |

"Call me strange, but plunging headfirst into the near-freezing, muddy waters of a London pond for a traditional Christmas morning swim with dozens of other thrill seekers was high on my holiday wish list.

However, nothing can prepare you for the shock of diving into the cold, dank water for the first time.

'Waiting to dive into the cold water offers a similar trepidation to going off on a military operation,' said former British air force pilot Alan Lacy, 84, who first signed up for the race 60 years ago."

(Via London swimmers take Yuletide plunge in one of world's oldest swimming races - International Herald Tribune: .)

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| outdoor swimming | 27 December 2007; 1:05:33 AM |# | | Discuss |

He ain't Punxsutawney Phil but the weather does sound like it will be Groundhog Day.

"Are we going to have to break the ice for our festive swims this year? Doesn't look like it.

After a settled 'blocked' autumn where high pressure dominated, we've now switched into a 'zonal' pattern with a powerful jet stream sweeping in storm after storm from the Atlantic. For those who like me like it wild, wet and mild that's good news.

Those who'd prefer 'traditional' crisp, cold winter weather look to be disappointed. The most you are likely to see are shortlived wintry blasts lasting a day or two before mild S-Westerlies resume.

Remember, the long-range forecast is for a mild winter (December, January, February) although not quite as mild as the last.

It'll be interesting to see how the winter progresses.

Wildswimmer Pete"

(Via SwimClub.co.uk Forums Winter '07-'08: .)

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| outdoor swimming | 17 December 2007; 11:12:21 AM |# | | Discuss |

"No - the real one, not the lunatic parade for this forum.

Some of you will have heard of the Unsung Heros award thats part of the overall bash. It had its regional eliminators last night and the 'winners' go through to Sunday's extravaganza.

That wonderful lady of Channel Swimming, the redoutable Freda Streeter (aka The Channel General) was shortlisted with 3 miscellanii from - I recall - a boxing club, a cycling club and a judo club. I have nothing against the 3 other individuals, nor indeed their clubs and members but how on earth the BBC's cognoscenti could not have chosen Freda for all her UNPAID, ALL-WEATHERS, ALL-EMBRACING (ie not just her own Federation) service to those with Channel Swim ambitions and dreams over the years. The lady is a legend.

Its a disgrace, and licence fees may have to be reconsidered in Leprechaun Towers."

(Via SwimClub.co.uk Forums Sports Personality of the Year: .)

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| outdoor swimming | 5 December 2007; 10:30:35 AM |# | | Discuss |