Bro Paul Hodgson Takes on The Monster Swim at Loch Ness

August 2012

After a 7 hour journey we arrived in Inverness the day before the swim. I thought I would be sensible and have an early night but it didn't matter - I couldn't sleep; all I thought about was the challenge ahead.

After a small breakfast we left the hotel at 7:50am and took the 40 minute drive to the Dores Inn which is located directly next to Loch Ness. Registration didn't take very long and soon enough I had my safety instructions, bright orange Monster Swim 2012 t-shirt, wetsuit and incredibly attractive luminous pink swimming cap. I was ready to go!

We had plenty of time before the swim was set to begin so we walked down to have a look at the water, problem was there was none. Actually there was, you just couldn't see it for all the mist and I began to think they would cancel the event. Eventually the mist started to clear and the water was like a millpond; perfect swimming conditions.

About 20 minutes before the swim I got changed and waited for my cheering squad. Linda Harvie, our lovely RSM for North Scotland, arrived with her camera and took some great photographs. About 9:50am we all made our way down to the waters edge and awaited safety instructions. After a short brief by the organisers all the participants stood on the beach waiting to hear the starter horn, then?

WE WERE OFF!

The water was cold at 10.5 degrees and the first leg of the swim was pretty tiring. With over three hundred people hitting the water at once everyone was thrashing around trying to get up to speed and in the process there was water and limbs flying around everywhere. When we reached the first buoy the faster swimmers began to break off from the group and things got a little steadier.

A mile doesn't seem very long when your driving in your car or even riding a bike but let me tell you, it was the longest mile I have every travelled in my life. The swim took every ounce of energy I had and by the time I reached the finish and got back up onto the beach my whole body was shaking and my arms and legs were like jelly.

I completed the swim in 53 minutes and 38 seconds and I have to say that although it may have seemed a long time I was very proud of myself. Whilst in training I had been completing the mile in a swimming pool in 34 minutes which just goes to show how open water swimming is very different.

The views during the swim however were beautiful and if anybody was considering partaking in a challenge to raise money for charity I would recommend the Monster Swim - Just don't call on me to do it again!

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported me and donated to the Children's Air Ambulance. At the moment the current amount of sponsorship stands at £496 with an additional £94 in Gift Aid bringing the total to £590. I still have a lot of money to collect in from friends and family and I hope to have collected just under £1000 once all the donations are in.

Again, thank you to all and if anyone still wants to donate you have until the 31st October 2012. Simply visit www.justgiving.com/monsterswim2012 and follow the onscreen instructions.

Paul Hodgson - Harte Lodge

Well done Paul.

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