Coniston ‘Swim to the Sunset’ Swim 27th June 2026
Brought to you by the

The Dolphins

were again present in force with 14 swimmers at the event.  All swimmers
were involved in the 6 hour swim.  We entered 5 teams, which were :-

Spinner (Dave & Simon)

Hector’s (Sarah & Andy W)

Risso’s (Kalliopi, Ellie & Sophie)

Hourglass (Jess, Rachel & James)

Dusky (Mandy, Karen & Alison W)

plus Michaela swimming a solo.


This year the weather was not expected to be as good as the previous weeks, rain was
predicted.  However, this proved not to be the case.  It didn’t rain all day although there
were some waves which as the day progressed reduced.  The major surprise was the
water temperature of 24C.


Following the safety briefing at 12:30, the first swimmers entered the water at 1pm in their
beautiful pink caps.  Although we had 5 teams present, there were 6 swimmers entering
the water.  This was because Michaela, to celebrate her 60th birthday (the day before) she
decided to swim in the 6 hour event as a solo!


Each team again recorded their own distances and each swimmer decided on their
length of swim.  Four buoys had been set out in a nominal rectangle this being a 1.5km
circuit.  Additionally, another buoy was positioned inside the larger circuit for a 500m
circuit.  As each team member completed their swims they were replaced by the next
member of their team.  This continued throughout the allocated 6 hours.  In the afternoon
we were blest with some lovely clear skies.


The afternoon saw a few swimmers ‘moonlighting’ for team Spinner.  I believe Simon had
not offered them a cash incentive, but swimmers were scrambling to get more miles on
the mileage chart.  ‘Moonlighters’ were Ellie, James and Rachel.


Simon was on form; he commented that he wasn’t wearing his pink onesie this year as he
didn’t want any rain.  Larry was a picture of devotion, following Michaela’s written feed
schedule to the letter.  Each time walking into the lake and passing over her feed.  He’d
walk back with the lower part of his shorts wet.  It could easily have been assumed that
he’s just had an accident!  On one occasion he returned commenting that he’d been
reprimanded by Michaela who commented that the jelly babies were damp!


Kalliopi’s team erected a washing line between the trees to air their towels, as it was
perfect drying conditions.  Alison was in form handing cake, out ear plugs and covering
Karen with blue tape.

  
With the water temperature being so warm both Jess & James parted with their wetsuits
and swam in skins.  Later after the swim we had a group photograph and this year we
managed to get all the swimmers in it.


Eight people had a meal after the swim in the hotel, which proved diAicult to book!  Dave
as club president presented Michaela a card signed by all present and a bottle of fizz to
celebrate her birthday.


I believe the best comment heard at the swim was at breakfast the following morning. 
Dave asked Jackie what she would like to drink to which she instantly replied, Gin and
Tonic please!


                   Swim totals below.  The total miles swam by the Dolphins was 50miles

Picture Gallery