Swim Start Time 22:46
December 16 2020
Causeway Coast
Charity AWARE NI
Swim Distance 1.8km
Furthest swim so far. Surf was pounding tonight. Surf was breaking hard and I kept being in front of it. Especially the bit to the western end of the beach. There were a couple of big surges in the first bit of the swim too. Almost better to go with it and then when it starts to ease of, let it draw me back out a little bit again. Otherwise its wasted energy. Felt like I barely got a proper swim stroke in tonight but I doubled back and got some more yards under the belt. The section to the west of the posts is really difficult. I find it hard to see the waves coming at all. Turning there lets the waves break the glow on the horizon over at Portstewart giving me a second or two notice. Great fun out there tonight. Its nice when its calm and still too but I love the chaos of the surf breaking. I have to say, the darkness intimidated me a bit at the start, I suppose its fear of the unknown but I've grown very comfortable there now.
Thank you for reading this far! Please if you have a few spare quid use it to help the charity AWARE NI via the link here.... https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/al-mennie
Info - I am swimming a total of 100km through the darkness, in the darkest and coldest months of the year off the North Coast of Ireland. My aim...to inspire those who may be struggling in dark times to keep going. I also aim to raise awareness and funds for the depression Charity Aware NI. We all face dark times in life at some point and it can be extremely overwhelming.
Safety - Please don't think that because I am doing this that you too should do this or something similar. I am very experienced in the sea with knowledge that is only gained through many years of exposure to the sea in all her moods. I have a safety and location system in place including continual contact with people on land every time I swim.