Finally after years of trying Big Ricks..
get to take part in the famous
Outdoor Swimming Society River Dart 10k Swim ..
Ricks Charlie ,Vicky & Paul joined a record number of swimmers 1381, over the weekend
in Devon ..to take on the Dart ..
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| Ricks have been very lucky over the few years.
To have taken part 100,s of open water swim events
, they have all been
good in their own special ways
..
but there is something very different about
The OSS River Dart Swim .
we had heard alot about it over the yrs..but until you actually
take part ..
you can never really tell, well now that we have taken
part ...
all we can say is WOW....
It’s does feel like an adventure ..from driving through
the lanes to Dittisham ,
parking in the farmers field at 6.15am near the finish
which is Overlooking the Dart (a breathtaking
view below ),
 to getting the old school bus back to the start in Totnes ..
to the special atmosphere we found at both the start & the Finish
this Dart is 100% an event for everyone to enjoy both swimmers & supporters.
it’s not just for the fast swimmers ..it’s a swim for everyone .
the 0SS quote ..The Dart10k
” It’s not a race, Its an adventure “ could not be more true..
yes it is expensive, yes its long way to travel for us from the midlands ..
but it was worth it...and some..congratulations to all that swam ,
to all that helped out and supported. and to the The Outdoor Swimming Society
for putting together such a special and unique event..
about a great weekend
( Big Thanks to Viv Rickman , Anna Burclay. Charlie
Wheadon ,
Paul , Vicky & OSS for the use of some of the
pictures below )
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| Charlie & Vicky all smiles after doing amazing swims sub 2hrs for Charlie , 2hrs 16 for Vicky |
a picture that says
i finished the dart
Charlie "jelly queen " Wheaden
The Amazing
Mrs Harris Was Jones
First lady wet suit finisher on Sunday.
First lady wet suit finisher on Sunday.
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| Charlie , 1st skin swimmer on Sunday |
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| Paul, 1st skin swimmer to finish on Saturday |
The Course,,
The dart is looking good when we arrived at 7.45 Saturday morning..
we had heard there might be a chance of some bad weather coming...
fingers crossed that not the case..
because of the heavy rain on Saturday evening
the water temp had dipped to 16c degrees for Sundays event ,
for the Saturday swimmers we had the comfort of a
few degrees warmer water at 19c ,but had the very
changeable weather conditions to deal with
the water temp had dipped to 16c degrees for Sundays event ,
for the Saturday swimmers we had the comfort of a
few degrees warmer water at 19c ,but had the very
changeable weather conditions to deal with
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| Mmmm...Paul Thinking ..okay i,m here where are the swimmers....! |
Ricks buddy Paul Smith ,
Paul gave the briefings to the swim waves on Saturday
and Sunday , before doing the swim himself for the 6th time..
top effort Dr Smith
Time to get things going..
as the weather forecast was not kind for Saturday ..
the swim waves started a little earlier and closer together
to give everyone a better chance of finishing safely ..
Blue "Elite " got things underway at around 8.15
Yellow wave look on as they are next in
straight after the blues
Safety crews take to the water..
we have to add at this point ..the safely crews were amazing over the weekend ..
not only in looking out for all the swimmers safety
but also in their help to guide the swimmers along the Dart ..
which i,m sure every swimmer who that took part much apprenticed..
The River has its own rules, and if you don`t follow them you are
going to get muddy ...
as Mr Smith told all swimmers at the Briefing ..
"" Don`t be tempted to Cut Corners or you will get Muddy ""
lets get this swim started...
Blue Elite Wave
Ricks Basher easy to spot in just a pair of Trunks
Slowly in..
Goooooooooooo..
Family & Friends cheer the first swimmers off..
the Yellow Wave
take to the water
swimmers and safety crews
working as one
after around 2k of swimming
you hit the famous S- bends of the River Dart
its a strange thing to swim..you want to take the shortest route..
and cut the corner ...
but that is not the fastest way to swim through the bends
The best way to swim the bends
is to stay as close to middle of the river as possible
as that is where there rivers current is strongest
and will give you the biggest push ..
1st feed station ..
is around 4k into the swim
the amazing view of the River Darts S- bends ..
once the bends are finished , you are into the open ,on Saturday this meant
very choppy water for 2 or 3 k...add to that a bit of wind and rain ..
once the bends are finished , you are into the open ,on Saturday this meant
very choppy water for 2 or 3 k...add to that a bit of wind and rain ..
meant this was the real fun part of swim ..;-)
as you come in to this part of the river,we had been told
to keep a look out for the feed station
as you come in to this part of the river,we had been told
to keep a look out for the feed station
located in the middle of the river at around 7k
as it was easy to miss...
as it was easy to miss...
everyone stops to watch the Dart
Feed Satiation 2 . around 7k .
when you stop here, you really do feel how strong the current
is flowing, as you have to hold on for dear life so
you could have a drink and eat some much needed Jelly Babies .
the ladies and gents of the feed stations were excellent .
could not have been more helpful
when you stop here, you really do feel how strong the current
is flowing, as you have to hold on for dear life so
you could have a drink and eat some much needed Jelly Babies .
the ladies and gents of the feed stations were excellent .
could not have been more helpful
Getting close...
the finish is in site...
but it seemed to take ages to reach it.....
the finish is in site...
but it seemed to take ages to reach it.....
The Finish .!!!
Mr Smith .
Louise congratulating Paul after his amazing sub 2hrs 10k swim..
in skin...top effort ..
it was Paul`s 6th Dart10k
Louise..
getting a big hug after finishing another dart 10k.
great swimming
family & friends..
cheering on all swimmers ..
it was great see so people supporting
Once the swim is over...
there is short walk back to where
the OSS village was..
it was a 5 minute walk back..
gives you chance to get your breath back,,,
almost there
Looks like the party has started
at the finish
Hot Chocolate..
was yummy and much needed after the swim.
no medals for the Dart....
you get something that is useful..
something that every time you use it
will give you amazing memories of a great adventure .
Paul Finished ..
all smiles with his Dart Mug..
and with the Hot Chocolate inside ..
lets get this party started
there were loads of food and drinks stales
to choose from , didn`t know what to eat and drink 1st....
everything tasted wonderful
Paul & Louise.
both swam the dart and worked all weekend
with the OSS to help & support all the swimmers
all smiles..charlie & Vicky
all changed and ready for the next challenge...
The Walk back to car park.!!!
( tip ..save some of your gels for that walk..)
( tip ..save some of your gels for that walk..)
Cup Cakes were Delicious.!!!
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The prize ..
the mug that says you completed the OSS Dart10k
 
See you at the Dart 2017
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The River Dart..
we swam this ....how good does that feel...
we swam this ....how good does that feel...
"For those who don't know the floral frame is a tribute
to Lynne Rivers Roper
former OSS Press Officer, and warming tent organiser who
was laid to rest overlooking the Dart at Sharpham Meadow Natural Burial Ground
on Friday.
She will be deeply deeply missed."
