Tooting midsummer relays

After the Brockwell Icicles' competitive debut at the Tooting Bec lido spring gala in March, to our surprise we found ourselves invited to return for their midsummer relays - with me once again in the unenviable position of (dis)organising the Brockwell squad. We were allocated two teams of four swimmers, and after the usual descent into email/twitter mayhem, 11th hour substitutions and the familiar hunted look returning to my eyes, at last we were ready to rock & roll.

Our 'Dream Team' of fastest swimmers was made up of Rachel, David, Tim and Noelene, whilst our 'Custart Cream Team' of scenic splashers comprised Sara, Candy, Marcus and me. We also had the luxury of two timekeepers/general supporters in the form of wonderful Joanna and Carole.

Meeting in the Tooting lido carpark at the designated hour of 19h15 on Wednesday, it became clear that nerves and inertia were setting into the Icicle squad. The idea of sitting in the car and drinking the prosecco we'd brought was mooted longingly.

Nothing for it but to gobble down some crisps for morale and head into the fray.

The formidable Brockwell squad

Each race was 16 lengths divided between four swimmers, with each swimmer doing one length at a time. A bit confusing so Alfonso and team provided a demo on land:

Each team was provided with hats of matching colour so you could spot your teammates coming towards you, and all 34 teams swam at once (!) side by side without lane ropes.

At 100 yards it's a little daunting and hard to judge the distance. Sara went off first for the Custard Cream team, her little red hat beetling towards me and Marcus at the deep end. In sploshes Marcus and off he goes, overtaking a green hat along the way - good work! Then here comes Candy, I'd better get in. I'm so used to only swimming at Tooting in the winter it's almost a case of not-cold-shock. Here I go, swimming a bit wonky on my first length but pacing it OK. Length #2 I tried a bit too hard and slightly died around 70 m - suboptimal - so took my last two lengths a little more sedately. It's the Brockwell Way. Meanwhile the Dream Team a few rows down were putting in a sterling performance, seeming to get faster and faster as the race went on.

After my last length I popped up and asked "where is everyone?" - the pool was fairly empty by this time, ha ha. Candy nevertheless put in an impressive burst for the final furlong, narrowly beating one of the other remaining teams amid much cheering and a sense of victory. Hooray!

Quick showers then time to crack on with the prosecco...

Nice hat Candy

..oh and very tasty barbecue sandwiches from the all new cafe (where valiant attempts were made to eek out the last of the ketchup)

And look it's lovely Jonathan of The Swimmer fame:

Time for the awards ceremony... and what's this?! The Dream Team has only gone and come second in their age category - MEDALS!! You can hear the surprise in the compere's voice even as she announces the result.

Dreams can come true

A very proud moment for the Icicles.

And my homemade medals for all of us - everyone's a winner (of sorts).

Custard Cream Team

A most successful jaunt - thank you for having us, Tooting. Rio 2016 here we come...