The 8th World Winter Swimming Championships were held in Jurmala, Latvia betwen 20th and 22nd January 2012. I wanted something slightly 'different' to do for my 40th birthday so we made the trip out to Latvia. The atmosphere was second to none, and it was really refreshing to be part of something that was more about the sport than of winning. I had wanted to swim in the 450m Endurance race, which was by invitation only. In order to do this, a condition of entry was to also enter the head up breast stroke which was one length of the 25m pool which was cut out of the ice in a river which came into the city via the Baltic Sea.

When I saw that they also organised a 25 and 50m free, I quickly signed up for all 4 events. I knew that I wouldn't be the fastest there but I later confirmed with the organisers that I was the only swimmer out of 1088 international swimmers to complete all 4 distances. This achievement was very important to me, as both the 25 and 50m free were only a couple of hours before the endurance race so I knew that it would add to the callenge by lowering my core body temperature before the start.

All in all, we had a fantastic time, and it was all good training for the 1-mile ice swim and the Bering relay.

Today Rich Pryer and I swam 1K in Tooting Bec lido which was somewhere between 3 and 5 degrees C. Great training for the World Winter Swimming Championships in Latvia in a couple of weeks time.

The South London Swimming Club is a member’s Club who’s home is Tooting Bec Lido. It is the largest fresh water pool in England. They are one of England’s oldest swimming clubs, founded in 1906 and have been holding races at Tooting Bec Lido since 1908. They are a very sociable and inclusive club with members from birth to 90 and every kind of swimmer from those wanting a leisurely meander through to long distance swimmers training for the Channel.

The club is run by volunteers and works closely with Wandsworth Council and DC Leisure who run and manage the Lido to ensure that the pool remains a viable and valued resource within, and for, the community.

This mmorning, Kathy and I drove from Bournemouth to the lido to join Rich & Collette and Mark & Lucinda. After a cup of tea in the pool-side cafe we took the pluge in the 5 degree water. Next to the lido, is a sauna which is ideally placed so you can jump out of the icy water and warm up within minutes. It was encouraging to hear that we had swam three times as far as a local swimmer who had been swimming in the lido all winter. I will pop back to the lido for a couple of swims at the end of the week. Hopefully is will be a bit colder then.

Every July, 1000's of swimmers line up on the beach at Bournemouth for the 1.4 miles Pier to Pier swim, most of whome, have trained all year to complete the distance and to beat the tide. To 'Endurofy' this race, we decided to do this on 3rd December, in 12 degree water, mostly without wetsuits. As well as Mr Earthquake and I, also swimming was Mike Trew, Mich Barns (both Deca UK 2011), Hanno (A2A attempt 2012), Mark Baylis and Rich Pryer (A2A 2012), as well as Lucinda, Charlie and Glen Hatrick. A great swim, followed by some quality scoff at Urban Reef.

Although the air temperture is now beginning to drop, the sea is staying around the 12-13 degree mark. Uncharacteristically for Poole Bay, Southerly winds have made for a choppy swim for the last few weeks. Last Sunday was no different when Mike Trew & Mick Barns (Deca 2011), Rich Pryer (Double UK 2011 and A2A 2012) and I met for a swim at Boscombe Pier. It was great to see Mike Trew again for the first time since the Deca back in June. Mike would have finished the event if it wasn't for him francturing a bone a few days before the end.

Great swim last weekend at Readymoney Beach, Fowey, Cornwall with my nephew Alex. It was great to see both him and my sister and Dad again for the first time since Alfie's Christening back in July 2011.

Rich Pryer will be the 3rd athlete I have personally coached for the Enduroman Arch to Arc. (Tom Beaver 2009 / Dave Farrell 2009). Rich is due to start his attempt on 23rd September 2012. I have known Rich for a few years now, and have since became good friends both with him and his wife Collette.

I coached Rich in his first year of racing Ironman and he qualified for Hawaii on his first attempt. He then concentrated on Olympic distance and after we made a 4-year plan, he progressed to being selected for elite races at London, Blenheim, Strathclyde, Windsor and many more. Like many elite athletes, Rich was faced with one of the biggest decisions they have to make. Do they remain content with finishing mid to rear of the pack, or do they make the ultimate sacrifice and give up their careers to train full time as this is the only way they can truly compete with the rest of the field. Rich expressed an interest to attempt the A2A when I first met him a number of years ago. I guess the dream of attempting the event was a little more forward in his mind than he once thought. I will coach Rich from Bournemouth most weekends. All Enduroman athletes are welcome to join us for any sessions. The training iis organised using the following forum thread: http://pub38.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=3187759048&frmid=98&msgid=835384&cmd=show

Sunday 13th November was the first winter session held at Boscombe Pier, Dorset. Great surfing in 12 degree water and force 5 winds!

OK, so its only 1.4 miles and I swim between the piers during training all the time but it was great to raise a bit of money for charity and to join the masses in Bournmeouth Bay. Great day all round.

Come and join me next year if you fancy it, otherwise Mr Earthquake and I are going to do it in December non-wetsuit just for fun. Details for the official event can be found at:

http://www.bhf.org.uk/get-involved/events/view-event.aspx?ps=1001036

Enduroman began its winter sea swimminng training programme this weekend at Boscombe, Dorset. The sessions are designed for those wishing to take part in the Enduroman Arch to Arc, Channel Swimming or to those who just wish to improve their sea swimming. The forum link for the 2011-2012 season can be found here on the Enduroman Forum.

This week 2014 Enduroman Arch to Arc soloist Paul Parrish and potential A2A athlete Mick Barns jumped into the Force 7 sea for some lump and surf training. The Enduroman Ultra Anglo / American plan is also in full swing. Details can be found at http://www.enduroman.com/utc.html