HITtheWALL ENDURANCE TRAINING 27th – 30th MAY 2016
WHAT IS HITtheWALL ?
Masterminded by open water swimmers for open water swimmers of all abilities.
HITtheWALL offers:
Confidence building in a safe controlled environment.
The chance to kick start the season in advance of your competitor giving you the tools to take your swimming from the pool to the outdoors sooner resulting in a huge advantage on race day.
The means to map out your limits and find solutions to comfortably stay on them without crossing that fine line but knowing where that fine line is.
Gaining knowledge to train smarter, stay mentally and physically strong and injury free in the lead up to your challenge.
Life begins where the comfort zone ends
TESTIMONIALS
HITtheWALL 2015 pushed me to my limits – I was a newish swimmer. I faced some of the best swim conditions and more importantly I swam in water that I didn’t believe it was possible to swim in. I learned so much. My swimming endurance and skills soared. It gave me the confidence and ability to cope with tougher swim conditions during the season. I could see more experienced swimmers panic under the pressure of rough water as I was swimming. Without a doubt this one training weekend added what would have taken me years to achieve.
GERARD ENGLISH from learning how to swim September 2014 to Olympic and 5k open water swims all in the space of a year and all with the sparkle of the CLWF lake ethos if its not fun I’m not playing
Unbelievable – it brought me to my limits safely. I was being constantly assessed during the weekend. I was asked did I want to get out and I fought with the truth. I knew I was there, I was done but failed to admit it. The crew observed me closely, I was told Stu, we’re taking you out. My swim stroke had deteriorated but in my head I was still swimming strong. I knew it was the right and safe decision. This reignited the passion I had for swimming and throughout the season I achieved many goals in open water that I had doubts on ever completing. STUART HINDE accomplished open water swimmer and ice miler.
In watching the progress and determination of the 2015 HITtheWALL participants it is clear to see that physical ability is 50% of channel and long distance swimming and in fact when looked at in more detail it is this mental ability with the perfect crew that will pull you through the darkest moments of these amazing adventures in the water.
PADRAIG MALLON event director.
AIMS of HITtheWALL:
LIMITS / SAFETY / HYDRATION AND NUTRITION / LEARNING / PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT / DISTANCE SWIMS / WATER TEMPERATURE ACCLAIMATISATION / CONFIDENCE BUILDING/ LIKE MINDED PEOPLE / OPEN WATER / TEAM WORK / CREW DEVELOPMENT / TECHNIQUE /
DAY 1 FRIDAY 27th MAY 2016
TARGET:
SESSION 1 MINDSET OF AN EXTREME ADVENTURER
SESSION 2 NIGHT SWIMMING / ORIENTATION
SESSION 1 2030
REGISTRATION and WELCOME with introduction to the weekend.
Presentation by Extreme adventurer and mountaineer Banjo Bannon who has climbed Everest. Presentation on the mindset of an extreme adventurer.
SESSION 2
VENUE: CARLINGFORD LOUGH CO.LOUTH
2145 Safety briefing
2200 SWIM START
DURATION: 60 minutes swimming
TEMPERATURE: COOL 12-16 DEGREES C
DETAIL:
60 minute (dusk into nightfall) swim
This will be around a 1km course and swimmers will be asked to stay in groups of two for safety to experience swimming in the dark. The background to night swimming came in 2009 when the Camlough lake team were preparing for their English channel crossing. They began training in the dark to help build their confidence in this type of swimming as most of their crossing would be swam in the hours of darkness. Their relay slot starting at 1am. You will be given a swim briefing on the night regarding this swim and all swimmers will be supplied with glow sticks.
After the swim, meet for a night cap in Carlingford sailing club or one of the local venues in the area
DAY 2 SATURDAY 28th MAY 2016
TARGETS:
SESSION 1 TIDAL SWIMMING
SESSION 2 SHELTERED COSTAL SWIMMING
SESSION 3 SWIM ANALYSIS AND TECHNIQUE
SESSION 4 BODY MIND MASTERY
SESSION 1
VENUE: CARLINGFORD LOUGH CO.LOUTH
0700 Registration and safety briefing
0730 – 0900 SWIM
DURATION: 90 minutes maximum
TEMPERATURE: COOL 12-16 DEGREES C
DETAIL:
Distance: 2k + a swim up to 90 minutes in the water. For novice swimmers to build confidence in the open water and for the more advanced swimmers to build distance competing with equal ability swimmers.
0930 regroup – at this time swim groups will be allocated – those who wish to be pushed to their limits and beyond will be asked to wear a specific infinity swim cap. This will indicate that YOU are willing to be pushed at all stages during the weekend. You can hand your hat back at any stage if you want!
Should you not choose this option that is ok too J
SESSION 2
VENUE: CARLINGFORD LOUGH CO.LOUTH
1230 Registration and safety briefing.
Swim Exit points will be identified during the briefing.
1300 – 1600 SWIM
DURATION: 3 hours maximum
TEMPERATURE: COOL 12-16 DEGREES C
DETAIL:
Distance: 5k +
Swim time will be a maximum duration of three hours regardless of the distance you have covered. This will be sheltered and costal swimming hugging the shoreline so you can build confidence in this environment. Swim analysis will be taken on each HIT THE WALL swimmer by Pawel Rudinski for summary later in the evening.
SESSION 3
VENUE: Meet in HITtheWALL headquarters Carlingford
1830 – 1930 venue TBC.
DURATION: 1 hour
DETAIL:
TARGET: Swim analysis updates and swim technique presentation by swim coach Pawel Rudinski
SESSION 4
VENUE: Meet in HITtheWALL headquarters Carlingford
1930 – 2030
DURATION: 1 hour
DETAIL:
BODY BALANCE with Strength and conditioning coach Gary Lundy. A one hour class. A mix of yoga, pilates and tai chi.
2300 – the evening is your own to relax and rest – two more days of swimming ahead.
DAY 3 Sunday 29th May 2016
TARGET:
SESSION 1 TIME TRIAL
SESSION 2 UNSHELTERED COSTAL SWIMMING, ONE AND TWO WAY RELAY QUALIFICATION SWIM
SESSION 3 BODY MIND MASTERY
SESSION 1
VENUE: CARLINGFORD LOUGH CO.LOUTH
0800 Registration and safety briefing.
Swim Exit points will be identified during the briefing.
0830 – 0930 SWIM
DURATION: 1 hour
TEMPERATURE: COOL 12-16 DEGREES C
DETAIL:
Distance: 3k swim over a 1k swim course. Your distance and time will be recorded.
Time trials give valuable information on your performance for the challenge of your choice
SESSION 2
VENUE: CARLINGFORD LOUGH CO.LOUTH
1300 Registration and safety briefing
1300 – 1630 SWIM
DURATION: 3 hours maximum
TEMPERATURE: COOL 12-16 DEGREES C
DETAIL:
There will be three distances to suit all levels. Options are dictated by weather. Swim time will be a maximum of three hours regardless of the distance you have covered. 2 and 3 hour qualifying swims
SESSION 3
VENUE: HITtheWALL HQ
1830 – 2030
DURATION: 2 hours
DETAIL:
TARGET: Meditation
One of the most powerful tools for channel swimmers/long distance swimmers in order to completely involve yourself in your swim allowing you to break down barriers including fear, anxiety, pain and cold.
1830 Presentation on the benefits of meditation for the swimmer by Pádraig Mallon
1900 An instruction on how to meditate
1915 Mediation session
2030 HITtheWALL certificate presenations
2030 The evening is your own to relax and rest up – one more day of swimming ahead.
Day 4 Monday 30th MAY 2016
VENUE: CARLINGFORD LOUGH CO.LOUTH
0600 Registration and safety briefing
0630 SWIM
2 START POINT OPTIONS DEPENDING ON WEATHER
Option 1 start point Gyles Quay 6 hour swim up to 25km
Option 2 start point Omeath, Co.Louth up to 22km
DURATION: 2 hours MINIMUM 6 hours MAXIMUM
WATER TEMPERATURE:! 11 – 14 DEGREES C
DETAIL:
TARGET: UNSHELTERED COSTAL SWIMMING – POTENTIAL ROUGH SEAS WITH LARGE SWELL
This is also a qualifying swim for the North (Irish) channel / English channel for relay and solo channel swimmers.
Swim time will be a maximum of six hours regardless of the distance you have covered.
General notes:
TIMES
Start time means toes in water. Suited and greased ready to go. If you are late you do not swim as rescue cover is supplied to suit a group start time. If you enter the water after the group start you are doing so at your own risk.
Please be on time – all swims will start punctually. Check the plan for the next day as swim start times and location / detail may change depending on weather conditions.
FOOD
During your swim if you require a feed the support boat will keep this for you – bottles will be handed out at 30 minute intervals.
Nutrition / hydration in separate plastic zip lock bag with your name / swim number to give to boat crew. This is the hydration / supplementation for use during the swim and will be offered at half hourly intervals.
CLOTHING
Togs, clear goggles, bright swim cap (no black or dark swim caps will be allowed), grease / food / fluids / nutritional supplementation, warm clothes and warm drinks for after, a crew member to support you throughout the weekend if available.
Chill swim bags would be great safety tool as long as there is low winds. If you don’t have one and would like one we will be stocking them for sale on the day.
For each swim: Dry bag containing warm drink / dryrobe or fleece / blanket / hat socks / gloves (can be left on the boat during your swim should you HITtheWALL and need to get out).
For meditation and body balance: Wear comfortable loose fitting warm clothing / shorts t-shirt are ok and bring a drink and a towel.
These are ‘North Channel’ waters and will give you an experience of one of the toughest channel swim in the world.
RISKS
Hypothermia, jellyfish, currents, weather changes.
Chill swim bags would be great safety tool as long as there is low winds. If you don’t have one and would like one we will be stocking them for sale on the day.
LIMITS:
You are your own judge you will know when you have enough but then you can give us some more.
3 swim groups will be made during the first Saturday swim. Some swimmers may want to swim sections of each of the swim distances. If this is the case then put you’re bag on the boat and expect to remain on the boat until all the other swimmers in your team reach the finish point.
TRANSPORTATION
Some swims may require you to drive to them so satnav/smart phone is important if you don’t know the area as we may need to drive for up to 40 minutes if venues are changed due to weather.
JELLYFISH
They do sting – keep swimming – If assistance is required the support boat will come to your aid (Jellyfish are very unlikely this time of year)
MEDICAL
Please make Infinity Channel Swimming aware of any health conditions / allergies you may have.
This is an intense weekend – do not take on this challenge if you are not in good health.
ACCOMMODATION
Most swims will be based around or near Carlingford Lough where we will travel to where we find the best conditions. Ideally we will be based around Carlingford village but may need to travel up to 40 minutes by car if weather is not favorable. Carlingford village, Carlingford may be booked up or too expensive so we recommend you look anywhere from Newry to Dundalk.
Accommodation websites to consider:
Airbnb.com
Hostelworld.com
Booking.com
Carlingford.ie
QUESTIONS?
Infinity crew members are available all weekend to answer your queries please feel free to consult the crew on any learning you may need.
INSURANCE
We advise that if you have your own private medical insurance that includes open water swimming.
COST
Weekend fee: Costs range from £40 to £90 depending on the dates you want to take part in PAYABLE online
Personal expenses: food / fuel costs to venues / accommodation /
LINKS
HITtheWALL Event page on facebook
https://infinitychannelswimming.com/?page_id=301
Website
www.infinitychannelcrossings.com
Twitter:
infinitychanne3
email:
infinitychannelcrossings@gmail.com
CONTACT
Pádraig 00447879413131
#glorycomesfromdaringtobegin
