Won’t tell you what the water temp is here now. But it’s higher than 26C and lower than 28C.
Had a gentle dip yesterday early doors, it was lush - could have stayed in all morning. Think probably this is about my favourite temp, absolute pleasure to be in, any warmer and it gets a bit bathy.
Must add - parking is a bit of a faff and not a cheap extra. The Friday might be easier than the Saturday but it’s not the most straightforward. Maybe throw a bike in the boot - it would be pretty safe locked in the changing area I reckon.
Im coaching a development day for Swim England in a couple weeks. will cover all that, plus turns and rolling from one side of someone to the other (you literally barrel roll over them!) Only issue is I now have to find time to get in the water and check my wetsuit that hasn’t been used in 2 years as we are expected to get in with them to coach, ages between 10 and 16, some with zero OW experience. At least I don’t have to do the 5k test race at end of day as one of the kids was national silver medallist last year and I recon the 10 year olds will be faster than me now
If done well the other swimmer can be undisturbed, hence doesn’t count as aggressive contact.
The other method I was taught is to not barrel roll but slide across, so putting your arm across to opposite side of their waist and then pulling them in towards you as you also push yourself over the top of them. They’ll obviously know about that, but it’s possible to do it relatively nicely. I’ve never tried that way in real life though.