Charity Swim Around Calpe Ifach

This news article was last updated on the: 31 Aug 2010

Charity swim round Calpe Ifach - Saturday 28th August 2010 It was with some trepidation that I arrived at the pebble beach near Calpe port at 8.45am to take part in my first ‘travesia’ (an organised sea swim).  I had been intending to enter one for the last couple of years, but somehow had never quite got round to it. Last week when I saw the advert for the swim round the Ifach on the CalpeOnline24.com website, in aid of the Maite Boranat Centre for the mentally handicapped, it seemed that the time had finally come to take the plunge! I was armed with wetsuit, short fins and goggles and was made welcome by the organisers (Mark aka Stretch, Johanna his wife and their helpers), who took my entrance money (a very reasonable 10 euros), and then wrote my entry number in indelible ink on my hand (to make sure they counted everyone in at the other end!!) With all the formalities completed, I and the other forty-three intrepid swimmers (a mixture of Spanish and English comprising forty one men and three women) entered the water at about 9.50am to start the three kilometre swim.  We were reassuringly accompanied by kayaks and Cruz Roja boats, in case anyone got into difficulty.  There were a lot of club and triathlete swimmers who soon disappeared into the distance ahead of me, but I had already decided to go at my own pace and resist my competitive urges to give chase.  The first half of the swim was fairly comfortable, with a calm sea, and although I did a bit of zigzagging whilst trying to stay on course, I reached the turn at the point of the Ifach with no problems, although sometimes it seemed as if I would never get there, the end always seeming to be annoyingly far away. When I turned the point to head back towards the Fossa beach, the sea became choppier, making it harder to maintain a steady swimming rhythm.  That, together with the fact that I was now getting tired, made the last section seem even longer.  Eventually, after an hour and twenty minutes of swimming, I finally reached the beach and staggered out of the water to encouraging applause from those who were waiting, finishing 27th out of the 44 swimmers, (second of the three women). As we all got out, there was a very welcome drink and bocadillo, supplied by the Delfin pub, to replenish our energy allowing everyone to relax and compare experiences. Considering this was the first time this event had taken place the swim was very well organised and successful, everyone completing the course with the presence of various boats as we swam round a comforting sight.  I would certainly enter again (oh no! my husband says), although would not suggest the swim to anyone who is not a strong swimmer, or who is not comfortable and confident in deep water.  However, if you are up for a challenge, it is certainly worth the effort. Congratulations to all my fellow swimmers and to the organisers and sponsors for an enjoyable?? morning which has raised money for a very worthy cause. Aileen Lightfoot