First timers

Most of the miscreants who have so far featured on this blog, like me, swam their first winter last year when Brockwell Lido started opening all seasons, plus a few with a bit of experience from (gasp of awe) Tooting Bec Lido. This year we have a whole batch of intrepid newcomers who are shaping up very nicely (icely?) indeed. While not exactly an old hand at this game, I can't help but feel a little envious of their experience of the First Winter - the excitement, the unknown, every day a completely new achievement. And just that odd inner dialogue of "Well isn't this a hoot? But slightly wondering if I might die... Could I die? Such fun though, all this."

I think you could still fairly describe the water as "fresh" last week, but now at around 7.5 degrees it's just "really very cold". Of course it gets colder, but if you've made it this far I think you've got a good chance of seeing it through to the bitter end ha ha. Bucking the trend of global warming, the Brockwell Icicles are growing!

Particular mention for Icicle-in-training Maureen, who forgot to bring the shorty wetsuit she usually sports (in considerable style, I might add) earlier this week. By way of encouragement I pointed out that some eminent psychoanalyst (possibly even smarty pants Sigmund himself) said that we only forget what we really want to... She looked doubtful but nevertheless proceeded to take the plunge in nothing but her Freudian slip, and reported afterwards that it felt "like summer!" her face beaming. So we may even have a new convert to costume only...

Also swimhats off to new-this-season Millie, who arrived today having not been for almost 2 weeks and clearly had The Fear in the changing rooms. Triumphing in the internal mental battle, she disappeared outside like one going to face the firing squad, returning some minutes later dripping, pink and looking sort of astonished. It's hard getting back in the water even after a few days away so I imagine that was a pretty...er, intense experience.

Then of course we have the beautiful Maite, better half of our group founder, Guy, who is more accustomed to the balmy waters of the Canary Islands and makes the most wonderful whooping noises as she enters the water. She's also been quick to cotton on to a key part of any winter swimmer's kit:

Top tip: get yourself a good hat

From the boys' side, shout outs to Marc (pictured, pompom'd, above) who recently smashed his 2012 record of 9 degrees with a resounding 8 lengths at 8 degrees. Also notable newcomer Tim, who sort of seems part of the furniture already and not only comes with his own lido thermometer (the Timometer) but also makes ambitiously complicated cakes such as they set for the technical challenge on Bakeoff.

In conclusion: hip hip hooray for Brockwell Icicles - solidarity through solid water.