Charity swim across Corryvrechan raises vital cash for RNLI

Dave Salmon gave an account of the challenge to the Advertiser: "The swim is, for me, the culmination of seven weeks training, in which time, I clocked up 17 miles swimming in various local lochs.

 

"The day started early and was actually bright with the sun putting on an early morning show. The very top of Scarba was shrouded in a grey/ white fluffy cloud, but much of the rest of the sky was blue, for a change. Most reassuringly, the sea at Easdale was a lot calmer compared to the choppy swell and herd of white horses that was showing last night when I drove over to stay the night in the motorhome park.

 

"The rest of the team turned up just after I’d finished my breakfast and the first few nerves started to kick in.

 

"Once we were all kitted up in our life vests the skipper of Celtic Venturer, John, introduced us to the boat, his crew and gave us a quick safety talk. We then cast off and reversed the boat out of the harbour and were under way.

 

"Our journey from Easdale took us past the Isle of Luing to the East and Lunga to the West. In time we could see the Grey Dogs, which had a bit of a standing wave showing. By this point in the journey we were heading toward slack tide and the sea conditions were changing. The sea here is mad and a mass of everything,  including rolling swell, patches of choppy water and then, for me, the scariest  of all, areas of dead flat clam water, which, for some reason felt really foreboding. 

 

"Just a little while longer and we were clearly in the Gulf of Correcvechan, with Jura on the left, Scarba on the right and Mull in front of us. The swell as we entered the Gulf was impressive, big regular rolling waves but not breaking. A few seconds later a bigger wave slammed the boat hard, and several expletives fell out my mouth in surprise and shock. The skipper slowed the boat down and I realised that the sea conditions today were likely to be quite calm, so just how bad could it be when it was rough? More alarmingly, I realised were we actually going to be getting out and swimming in these conditions. 

 

"Fortunately, it turned out we had arrived earlier than we had planned, meaning the tides still had to drop and the water would become calmer before we would be taking the plunge. Just before turning into the Bay Gleann man Muc to wait for sea to calm further we watched a small pod of porpoise feeding in the middle of the channel. Three of them were effortlessly navigating their way through the waves, showing us that they are the true masters of these waters. Someone pointed out a red deer stag standing majestically at the foot of a big rock on Jura looking and a herd of wild goats sun bathing on the beach.

 

"Eventually the swell dropped off enough and it was time to get changed into our wetsuits, brightly coloured swim caps and inflate our tow floats. The skipper pushed the boat into gear and we slowly motored back into the Gulf. Just as the catamaran door was opened, Tony, the skipper told us, don’t try to fight the current, you can’t. Aim for big lump of rock over there and expect to be dragged to the west. As soon as you are in the water, start swimming and don’t stop because your team mate will be right behind you. We will pick you up on the other side. Have fun! 

"My entrance into water was far more rapid and a lot less graceful than usual as I half dived and half fell out of the boat. My first thought was that the water was much warmer than I’d expected, closely followed by crikey I’m swimming in the Corryvechan, am I mad?!

 

"With the swell running as it was, we decided it was safest not to try and climb out onto the limpet blistered rocks of Jura but just touch it, turn around and head to Scarba.

 

Within a few strokes the familiar sight of kelp waving in the currents under the water was gone, replaced by turquoise blue water, which you know in the back of you mind is deep and getting deeper with every stroke toward Scarba. The swell was noticeable and putting me off my stroke, occasionally one arm would be flailing around in the air, instead of in the water as you popped over the top of a wave.

 

"One moment I could see a team mates’ hat, the next moment they were gone, as the two of you were on different sides of the wave. Seven minutes 22 seconds in and I felt my watch vibrate and buzz, telling me I had completed 500 yards. Four minutes 10 seconds later and I’ve completed my second 500 yards super quick as the current is pulling me along. Five minutes 22 seconds and that’s another 500 yards complete. I know I’m not far from finishing now. I can clearly see Scarba, but not the water  as it is doing all sorts of crazy movement and is completely unpredictable.  

 

"It’s also at this stage that I start noticing several jelly fish, moons as well as lions manes, but fortunately deeper than me. I do what I usually do, acknowledge I am in their territory and hope I pass them without getting stung.

 

"The current is pulling me one way, wash from waves hitting the island are pushing me another, while waves from yet another direction slap me in the face and I take several gulps of salty sea water. On the next breath I look back toward my shoulder knowing your own wake created by swimming gives you a small pocket where the water level is lower so it’s easier to catch a breath. I seem to be swimming hard and digging deep but I’m not making any progress. I swear at one point Scarba is actually playing a game with me and creeping backwards, forcing me to swim even further. 

 

"I admit at this poin, calling this fun might be a bit of an over exaggeration. It was challenging, just a little bit frightening and a tad brutal but equally thrilling. This is, after all, what challenges are all about - pushing your limits to see what you can achieve.

 

"I knuckle down and push even harder and within a couple more strokes I can see my team mates who have already completed their swim floating in a small nook out of the worst of the sea conditions, their bright swim caps and tow floats contrasting vividly against the beige of the rocks. 

 

"Seeing them at the finish goads me into swimming harder. Finally 25 minutes and 20 seconds after setting out I have made it across the Gulf of the Correcvechan.  

 

"We all climb out on to the rocks to wait for the last of our group to finish so we can regroup before our boat  comes close enough for us to swim back to and get out of the sea.

 

"As we all board the catamaran, Martin Waterhouse is three quarters of the way back to Jura and we hear over the radio he’s decided to attempt three crossings in the time window between tides. Safe to say he got all our respect and a big clap as he climbed back on board." 

 

Dave continued: "With hugs all round, huge grins in our faces and a massive sense of achievement, we head back to Easdale, complete with a cup hot chocolate and a slice of cake.

 

"It was during this trip back to shore I pondered just how brave and dedicated the crew members of the RNLI must be. They voluntarily drop everything to assist people they have never met, often heading out in the most terrible conditions. My effort to swim this stretch of water has brought a new level of respect for the power of the ocean and in turn a new level of respect for the RNLI crews who selflessly risk their lives to save others. Hats off to you all."

 

The group raised £3,438 for the RNLI on their swim. 

 

Team Neart na Mara would like to thank the crew of Seafari who made the experience possible, Claire Fletcher for being group photographer and safety spotter, George Sharp, a former RNLI crew member from Campbeltown who was the swimmers’ chief safety spotter.

 

Dave continued: "We would also like to thank everyone who has sponsored us, the amount we have raised has been amazing. 

 

"We would all like to thank John Hunt, who organised the trip and celebrated his birthday swimming the Corryvechan. I would also like to thank Martin Mellor, Martin Waterhouse, Melanie Chimielewska, Leonie Palmer, Tamsin Powell and Ian Munro for sharing this experience with me, it was a fantastic experience I won’t forget for a long time."