Does anyone swim? Where? S.Coast

[2013PrincessV39]

Does anyone ever jump in and have a swim when on the south coast? Is it freezing cold all year?

If not and people are getting in the water in the summer, are there any warmer spots?

Thanks for replies!

 

[benjenbav]

I have swum when at anchor. It can be lovely, even in the Solent. However, despite on occasion being very tempted to, I have never yet swum in a strong tidal area without having someone else in a dinghy to pick up the pieces; it being too late to correct the position when you suddenly realise that the boat is 100m uptide, the tide is running at 2 knots and you can only swim at 1 knot.

Also, it's useful to stream a floating line off the stern. And a good idea to recover same before getting under way again...

 

[Jack Haines]

September is the warmest time to swim on the south coast I have found. Haven't done much swimming in the Solent but Studland Bay in Poole can get to a nice temperature towards the end of the summer, especially in the shallower regions.

Best bet is to take the plunge and see how it feels!

 

[benjenbav]

There's always the Robin Knox-Johnson/Suhaili method: as patented for use in the middle of an ocean when single-handing round the world:

Dive off the bow while under way and grab onto the stern as it comes past.

Obviously not suitable for mobos owing to it being a good idea to have the props stationary so as not to mince your legs but otherwise a scheme with only one problem: missing the stern and drowning. Oh, and sharks and stuff.

 

[steve930]

Yep, newton's cove, warbarrow bay, Ringstead, Weymouth bay to name a few. I do confess to wearing a wetsuit for comfort? unless we've had a week of blisteringly hot weather prior

 

[paul salliss]

When we were small swimming off the boat was a regular thing, but for whatever reason I have not done much at all as an adult, but thank you, as you have put an idea into my head.

I remember swimming to shore in Alum bay years ago, I do remember it was cold but like all sea swimming in the summer once you are in for 5 mins it's OK

 

[Sailorsam101]

In the Solent the only real places that are OK to swim in are Osbourne bay and Alum bay.

The later is fine for tides but Osbourne bay has strong tides goes past it so you must have a rope/dingy out back to recover anybody.

A long rope with a fender at the end works well.

I would not swim anywhere else in the solent..or even want to put my hand in it..

 

[thecommander]

I swim, kite surf, kayak etc in Bournemouth all year round and don't find it cold. In the winter months a wetsuit is a good idea if spending prolonged periods in the water.

In the Solent, tides and fast mobos are a bigger concern than the temperature.

Osbourne Bay is good, but watch the tides and the occasional mobos/ribs ripping up the anchorage. Stick close to the shore and don't be tempted to land.

Priory Bay is absolutely fantastic with a great beach.

Alum Bay is nice but has big swell in a westerly

Newtown Creek is ok for a swim around the boat.

Bournemouth - Poole - Sandbanks are great and have big swell in a strong SW. Whiteley Lake (harbour side of Sandbanks) is great for watersports. Other parts of Poole Harbour are quite muddy.

Studland Bay is great. Swanage is great.

Never swam in Lulworth Cove but looks stunning.

 

[benjenbav]

In the Solent the only real places that are OK to swim in are Osbourne bay and Alum bay.

The later is fine for tides but Osbourne bay has strong tides goes past it so you must have a rope/dingy out back to recover anybody.

A long rope with a fender at the end works well.

I would not swim anywhere else in the solent..or even want to put my hand in it..

I always think that there's plenty of tide through Alum Bay unless you're tucked in to the shore near the jetty for the chairlift. We always tended to anchor out a bit by the coloured cliffs.

 

[Sailorsam101]

If you do go to Alum bay and anchor watch out for the big rock..it is on the charts and right in the middle of where you would want to go.

I was there several years ago snoozing in the cockpit in 3 metres of water when I heard a your boy say hello. He was standing on the rock 2 metres to my side with just his ankles covered...I moved the boat quickly..!!!

Never noticed any tide in there but I do go right on the corner and south of the chairlift.

 

[benjenbav]

If you do go to Alum bay and anchor watch out for the big rock..it is on the charts and right in the middle of where you would want to go.

I was there several years ago snoozing in the cockpit in 3 metres of water when I heard a your boy say hello. He was standing on the rock 2 metres to my side with just his ankles covered...I moved the boat quickly..!!!

Never noticed any tide in there but I do go right on the corner and south of the chairlift.

Alum Bay is a real favourite of mine. My preferred anchorage is well away from the big rock, hereabouts:

...where you never see anyone, except now and again:

 

[KevB]

Whitecliff bay is good for swimming and bbq on the beach, also east head but watch the current. Alum bay is another nice place to swim. Priory Bay and Seagrove bay are another two. Bembridge has a beach too
.

Here's a couple of pics from whitecliff

The In Laws at Alum Bay

And East Head

 

[vas]

out of curiosity, what water temps do you get there say June and Sept?

cheers

V.

 

[Sailorsam101]

Well we often get cold..but sometimes it's very cold and on the odd rare day it's sunny we get coldish...water temps.

 

[vas]

Well we often get cold..but sometimes it's very cold and on the odd rare day it's sunny we get coldish...water temps.

thanks, that's extremely informative
In local terms your three ratings would be around 22C - 20C and 24C
Water in port went down to 18C in Feb-March and it's already over 20C, end of Sept was over 28C

V.

 

[PEJ]

out of curiosity, what water temps do you get there say June and Sept?

cheers

V.

Have a look at this... http://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Ventnor/seatemp

22C Ha! We'd be lucky. It tops out at about 18C!

 

[rwoofer]

Last year I saw 22C on the the temp gauge and in shallow places I think it does reach that, but generally water temp doesn't get above 20C.

 

[l'escargot]

Does anyone ever jump in and have a swim when on the south coast? Is it freezing cold all year?

If not and people are getting in the water in the summer, are there any warmer spots?

Thanks for replies!

In shallow water after 2 weeks of sun, you might get up towards 20 degrees - if you want warmer you need a rockpool . Summer water temperatures probably average 16-18 degrees in a good summer. The water is warmest in early September.

 

[thejonesey]

We swim all summer... With cheap shortie wetsuits from Decathlon... Perfect!

 

[Firefly625]

We go to Alum Bay if anyone wants a swim, I wouldn't recommend anywhere else due to quality of water within the Solent, however each to there own.. last summer there were 5 people swimming off their boat in Yarmouth Harbour, beggars belief.