5th June
Manda has very kindly given me (Katie) her the free entry to the Jubilee River swim as it is scheduled just a few days after her baby is due to arrive. This was my first swim ‘back’ last summer so I am hoping to improve on my time this year. Last year the weather was lovely and sunny and I have my fingers crossed for the same this year as it make the 10k go in a flash just floating down looking at the scenery.
26th June
The Oxford vs Cambridge Alumni match will be returning at the Henley Classic in June this year. Last year the Cambridge Alumnae ladies were the only team that were victorious over Oxford. Fingers crossed we can triumph again this year.
1 mile handicap (SLSC club event)
1st July
Katie will representing the Team Mermaids solo at this event and this will be a reoccurring theme of the summer season. (Un)fortunately for her I (Manda) live right by the lido, so I will be sure to be down there encouraging her… I am thinking a fishing line with a piece of cake at the end. Otherwise how else will she beat the SLSC’s amazing Nancy. Note: the female winner of this event gets the “Mermaid Cup” – we have to win it one year Nancy – please!
2nd July
According to the website the Boulter’s to Bray Swim is one of the oldest open water swimming events, with a history dating back to the 19th century. I can’t believe Team Mermaids have not swum this already and this is something we should quickly rectify!
16th July
If I (Katie) can find a babysitter (any offers?!) I will be down at the London Victoria Docks competing in the Great London Swim. I am keen for the 2 mile event this year having always done the 1 mile event in previous years.
Thames Marathon (aka Bridge to Bridge)
7th August
Bridge to Bridge has been re-named the Thames Marathon for 2016 (we are not entirely sure why!). Whatever it is called it was our favourite swim of 2015 and there I (Katie) am planning to be swimming the 14km down the Thames from Henley to Marlow Bridge again
3rd September
The weekend this event is taking place there are several other big ticket swims taking place in other parts of the country. Dart 10k, Brownsea Island and the new Swim the docks 10k. It wasn’t a hard decision to do Coniston again for me (Manda) and Katie hasn’t done it before so would be a chance for her to get it ticked off. To date it has been one of my favourite events. When you are travelling to a race it becomes more about the whole weekend experience and Coniston and the lakes mean that it really can be turned into a holiday. It will also hopefully mark my return to the water post baby arrival, if I don’t end up swimming I know I will have a great time supporting my friends, celebrating their success and sampling some of Coniston Brewery’s finest.
11th September
This is a new event swimming from Bablock Hythe to Kings Lock. We are quite tempted to book this in but in reality we don’t know how realistic it is 1 week after Coniston so it might be a case of seeing how we feel that weekend.
24th/25th September
Currently umming and ahhing about this event as we want to do the 110 length challenge so we are probably going to enter the ballot and see what happens.
110 length challenge (SLSC club event)
24th September
It’s an even year (110 length)… PHEW!!! Therefore, no defending our joint title instead the 10k will be divided by 2. I (Manda) was thinking I could maybe make Katie do more but seeing as she did 50% of it in 2014 when she was 5 months pregnant, I should probably just suck it up!
TEAM Mermaids 
See you, at least, at the Jubilee River 10K. I entered after reading your review from last year! Thx.
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ah awesome! I (Manda) am sad to be missing but don’t think they do wetsuits for people 9 months pregnant! Make sure you say Hi to Katie and the others if you see them.
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