Service Description

We start at 1300 - meeting at the slipway near the cafe (TQ1 2LQ) at Meadfoot. This swim is a race against the tide. We ensure the danger (and safety of course) by starting the swim 1km off shore. Initially meeting at Meadfoot Beach in Torquay, swimmers board the boat for a smooth ride out along the the coastline past Thatcher Rock and out past the Ore Stone. Swimmers dive or jump overboard into the deep Channel Blue, with a lifeguard leading the way, towards the Ore Stone. On this particular day, at this time, the tides may allow for clearance through a secret cave at the Ore Stone. On the rock we pause for though, soak up the abyss, perhaps do some jumping into the deep water, and possibly proceed all the way under the island rock and out the other side (you can swim around it of course). The most challenging part of this swim is progressive as the tidal flow rapidly picks up pace, lateral to the jut of land - Hope Nose - which means swimmers are essentially being carried further off-shore. However, at the slack water of a spring low tide there is a window of opportunity to live out this dream*. Swimmers leave the Ore Stone, on a heading to the right of Thatcher Rock (a reverse of the taxi ride in the boat), towards Meadfoot beach, where it all began. As the crow flys, the distance from the OreStone back to the start/finish is about 2.5km. HOWEVER, during this portion of the epic adventure, the tide will pick up speed, actually turning against the swimmers, creating a treadmill effect. We have to be quick and open to aborting and climbing on the boat, but this challenge is certainly possible for EXPERIENCED OWSers who have a 3k OW swim under the belt already this season. *Never try this swim without some kind of escape plan. Essentially you need a boat and only boats with enough power should go. - Not for the faint hearted. Not one to be missed. When you arrive at Meadfoot there is free parking along the sea front. There are pay and display carparks either end of the beach and a cafe and toilets near the slipway where we start. We can not carry any belongs other than an old pair of trainers (or similar) and a drink on the boat. So please arrive ready to swim and stow your warm change close enough to where the swim finishes. **To get on the boat at Meadfoot swimmers need to swim to it.