My return to Salford Quays and open water events
On 16th May, I found myself back at Salford Quays for the USWIM Greater Manchester Swim, lining up once again for the 3‑mile distance. I’ve done this event three times before, with my best time a 1:44:10 and my slowest at1:50:08. After missing last year due to fitness and with wrist surgery only a few months ago, I had a bit of trepidation for this one.
After only a few open water swims this year in temperatures between 14.7–15.6°C, a wrist that really feels the cold since the surgery and no outdoor 5km since 2024, I accepted if it became too uncomfortable I may need to slow things down and switch to breaststroke. So, I set myself a target of around 2 hours to complete the swim.
Pre‑swim Jitters (and Temperature Lies)
The nerves started kicking in a few days before and when the pre‑event email landed telling us to expect 14–14.5°C water, that didn’t help matters. Still, I started to convince myself it would be invigorating, but manageable.
Arrived on the day and the forecast was cloudy with rain likely, which was a bit rude considering its always been glorious sunshine when I’ve took part in the past. Then comes the bombshell when I go down to register and check what the temperature is….gulp….13°C…now hold on a minute, I’m sure I didn’t agree to that when I signed up!
I’ve swum in these temperatures and distances before, but not for awhile. I’m not saying I considered turning around and pretending I’d accidentally driven to the wrong place… but I definitely had a “Oh bugger” moment.
Safety Brief and a Surprise Dunking
The safety briefing and warm up, was delivered (as always) with some jokes which helped settle the nerves. The hosts making it clear the water at 13degs, (have I mentioned the cold temperature) would be cold and if anyone felt uncomfortable there would be no shame in getting out after 1km, 2km or any other distance.
We got reminded about the ‘umbles’ although I’ve never quite figured how you’re supposed to know if you’re mumbling, fumbling, stumbling or grumbling while you’re actually swimming. Although I’m usually grumbling about something (you only have to ask my mum and she’ll confirm that) so I can rule that one out as a measure for me, What I tend to do is randomly open and close my fists on longer swims to check I still have movement and my hand isn’t ‘clawing’ or giving me cause for concern.
Then we enter and as my toes touch the water, I think it’s not feeling so bad and I get a nice little confidence boost. Which lasted right up until I slipped on the entry mat and dunked my head under like a budget Norman Wisdom tribute act (luckily, that wasn’t caught on camera…..I hope!)
So, a few strokes to the start line and as we hold our positions its game face on time!
3….2…..1…. Let The Chaos Begin
It was the usual start to an open water swim with arms everywhere, feet everywhere and people swimming diagonally for reasons known only to them (Not quite the place to start discussing with them sighting techniques).
Now, it’s the usual melee of trying to find a clear spot without swimming over someone or worse being swum over. The first few hundred meters are always chaos but once the pack starts to split, its time to settle into a rhythm (ironic having ‘Rocket’ on the arm of my wetsuit, when I only want a steady swim).
I was feeling comfortable with the temperature but knew this was only the start, so my focus was long steady pull and glide, with the constant thought in my head of ‘push all the way back and tap the thigh’, lets keep the the stroke smooth and long.
I’ve done this even three times before so I’m familiar with the course layout (its five loops of a big rectangle, which even my braincells can follow)…. although this year there was a bit of an unexpected twist…
The first corner buoy had gone for a paddle of its own, to the top left of the course. As we all charged toward it, it became clear there was no way to keep it on our left. A cluster of us ended up taking it on the right and trying to dodge each other as we made a sharp turn to get back on track.
Loop One Done, only Four left
By the end of the first loop, I felt surprisingly calm and relaxed. At the back of my mind I was thinking this is only the first loop and there was still some way to go, so stick to the plan, keep turning the arms and kicking the feet but take it steady….Don’t get cocky.
I never race when I swim events, I’m there to complete not complete. The only person I’m ever up against is me and to show myself I CAN do this!
Once I’d settled in, the swim just… clicked. The cold was manageable, even comfortable at times, though there’s a section further up the first stretch where water feeds in from another part of the Quays. That spot always delivers a sneaky extra chill, the kind that makes you mentally say “Yikes!” and instantly pick up the pace whether you intended to or not.
The Mind Began to Wander
My mind did what it always does in long swims, it wandered off on its own little adventure. One moment I was thinking about stroke rhythm, the next about food, then whether the three spectators I kept seeing were actually stalking me, then back to food and before I knew it I was at 3.5km.
Everything..my breathing, my wrist, the cold..it was all feeling good so I pushed on…I reached 4km and couldn’t believe I was on the final loop already…I got to the last corner and paused to check my watch (I always check at this point to make sure I have counted my loops correctly and not zoned out too much) and it read 4.8km.
The Home Stretch
I was on the final straight now and as I reached the last couple of hundred meters I started kicking my feet more, preparing myself to stand up and hopefully not have another random slip and dunk for the photo finish.
I did it…I climbed out…and…..I didn’t slip!!!!
The swim was finished and as I stood with a dumbass grin on my face for the photo, all I kept thinking was “What time did I get”…
The results came in and I finished in 1:57:59 a smidge under my 2 hour goal, and the Open Water Warrior kit bag each swimmer was given said it all!
Just like that…the swim was done and the grin continued as the hunt for food began!
