DURDLE DOOR
WHAT IS DURDLE DOOR?
DURDLE DOOR is a sea arch off the Dorset coast. Sea arches are formed by the effects of wave action. It is a little known fact that in storms the pressure against a sheer cliff face may be in the region of 30 tons per sq metre. The water initially attacks weakness in the rock which can form caves. If you get two caves on opposite sides of a headland that eventually run into one another, the result will be an arch like Durdle Door (inf. I Spy Book of the Seashore).
SWIM THE DOOR 2008
Swims were held on Friday 6th (c. 5pm), Saturday 7th (from midday till 5pm) and Sunday 8th (from midday ish till 6pm incl. Little Door) June. Conditions were excellent in terms of sunshine but the water was a little rougher than usual on the Saturday so a big "well done" to everyone who got round.
WHO ON EARTH ATTENDED?
Swimmers attended from Bath (Kelly & Lee), Bedfordshire (Zoe, Mark, Helen, Mark & Digger), Buckinghamshire (Jonny C), Holt (Parrott & family), London (JT & Jono), Brighton (Ron, Syann, Ella, Justine), Oxford (Rog), Woking (Sandra, Graham & Emily), Petersfield (Diana, Andrew & Harry), Manchester (Mark, Tahira & Sophia), Guildford (Rolfe), Dorset (Julia, Russell, Chloe, Mike and Ciorstaidh) and The Internet (Mandy and The PeakPayroll2)
"ROLE OF HONOUR"
Diana (Sat. 1x STD), Digger (Fri, Sa & Su. 15x STD, 1x little door), Graham (Sat. 1x STD), Helen (Sat. 1xSTD + canoe assists), Johnny (Fri 1x STD, Sat. 3x STD), JT (Sat. 1x STD), Kelly (Sat. 1x STD), Lee (Sat. 1xSTD), Mandy (Sat. 3x STD), Mark P (Sat. 3x STD canoe assists), Mark (Sat. 1x STD), Rog (Sat. 2x STD), Rolfe (Sat. 5x STD, Sun 5xSTD, 1x little door), Ron (Sat. 1x STD), Sandra (Sat. 1x STD), Russell (Sat. 1x STD), Syann (Sat. 1x STD), Zoe (Sat. 1x aborted STD), Inflatable elephant, dolphin, donkey, zebra (Sat. 1x STD)
SWIM THE DOOR VETERANS
!!!! WHAT VETERANS HAVE SAID REGARDING THE "SWIM THE DOOR" EXPERIENCE !!!!
RUSSELL
(1998, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008)
"Every time I 'Swim the Door' it makes me feel buoyant again"
JT
(1999, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2008)
"Before I 'Swam the Door' my life had no meaning, but then a door opened to a whole new world".
JULIA
(1998, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)
"After I 'Swam the Door' in 2006 it opens a new door in my life because I fell pregnant"
HELEN, SANDRA AND ROG
"The water just gets hotter and hotter every year" (ed. well I think thats what they said!!)
NEIL
(1998, 2000 (aborted for Health and Safety reasons), 2005, 2007)
"It was a bit scary but I went with the flow and can definitely confirm that 'Swim the Door' veterans do it in the sea".
RON
(Easter 2000 in Force 9 gale, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
"With regard 'Swim the Door' I never get carried away and knew I wouldn't die in a silly doorway"
DIGGER
(1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002?, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
"In an unstable and rapidly changing world it has provided me with considerable stability in a fluid sort of way. Also I have nothing else to do and it is my event so I guess I had no choice but to turn up".
SWIM THE DOOR 2007
WHEN?
Swims were held on Friday 8th (c. 5pm), Saturday 9th (from midday till 6pm) and Sunday 10th (from midday ish till 6pm) June.
WHO ON EARTH ATTENDED?
Swimmers from all walks of life attended including accountants, archaeologists, business people, travel guides, computer people, housewives, mechanics, nurses, physicists, teachers, rights of way officers, students, solicitors and, of course, one of the people who sells tea at Anfield.
WHERE DID PEOPLE COME FROM?
Swimmers attended from Anfield (Dave S), Rugby (David G, The Woodings), Bedfordshire (Zoe, Catherine, Helen, Mark, Christiane, Digger, James, Matt & Richard), Buckinghamshire (Jonny C), London (JT, Ron, Syann, Jono, Diane, Alison, Catherine), Chesterfield (Chloe), Woking (Sandra and Graham), Petersfield (Diana and Andrew), Manchester (Mark) AND Dorset it self (Lorraine, Alan, Nathan, Mike and Ciorstaidh).
STD07 "ROLE OF HONOUR"
ALL STATISTICS PROVIDED HERE ARE LIABLE OPEN TO INTERPRETATION!
Alison (Sat. 3x STD), Andrew (Sat. 1x STD assist), Catherine (Sat. 3x STD), Chloe (Sat. 2x STD), Christiane (Sat & Sun. 10 x STD), Dave S (Sat. 2x STD), David G (Fri, Sat & Sun. 8 x STD), Diana (Sat. 3x STD), Digger (Fri, Sa & Su. 20x STD), Graham (Sat. 1x STD), Harry (Sat. 1x assist STD), Helen (Sat & Sun. 5x STD + canoe assists), James (Sat. 2x STD), Johnny (Sat. 3x STD), Joscelyn (Sat. 3x STD), JT (tbc), Mark F (Sun. 2x STD), Mark P (Sat. 2x STD + canoe assists), Matt (Sat. 2x STD), Neil W (Sat. 1x STD), Pamela (Sat. 1x STD), Rob (Sat. 1x STD), Rog (Sat. 2x STD), Ron (Sat. 1x STD), Sandra (Sat. 3x STD), Syann (Sat. 1x STD), Zoe (Sat. 1x STD)
SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR "LITTLE DOOR" SWIM
SWIM THE DOOR 2006
WHEN?
Swims were held at 5pm on Friday 9th June, midday on Saturday 10th June (pre World Cup Footy) and midday on Sunday 11th June 2006. *
WHO ON EARTH ATTENDED?
Swimmers from all walks of life attended including accountants, archaeologists, business people, community workers, computer people, geologists, housewives, mechanics, nurses, physicists, probation officers, rights of way officers, students, solicitors and even a person who still sells tea at Anfield.
WHERE DID PEOPLE COME FROM?
Swimmers attended from Anfield (Dave S), Rugby (David G), Bedfordshire (Zoe, Helen, Mark, Christiane, Digger), Buckinghamshire (Jonny C), London (JT, Ron, Syann, Jono, Diane, Alison), Woking (Sandra and Graham), Petersfield (Diana and Andrew), AND Dorset it self (Julia and Russell).
STD06 "ROLE OF HONOUR"
ALL STATISTICS PROVIDED HERE ARE LIABLE OPEN TO INTERPRETATION!
Alex (Sat. 1x canoe assist), Alison (Sat. 3x STD), Annette (Sun. 1x STD), Christiane (Sat & Sun. 6 x STD), Dave S (Fri & Sat. 2x STD), David G (Fri, Sat & Sun. 4 x STD), Diana (Sat. 1x STD), Digger (Fri, Sa & Su. 12x STD), Graham (Sat. 1x STD), Harry (Sat. 1x canoe assist STD), Heidi (Sat. 1x canoe assist), Helen (Sun. 2x STD + canoe assists), Johnny (Sat. 1x STD), Joscelyn (Sat. 1x STD), JT (Sat & Sun. 5x STD), Julia (Sun. 3x STD), Lew (Sat. 1x STD), Mark (Sun. 2x STD + canoe assists), Neil W (Sat. 1x STD), Pamela (Sat. 1x STD), Rob (Sat. 1x STD), Rog (Sat. 1x STD), Ron (Sat. 1x STD), Russel (Sun. 3x STD), Sandra (Sat. 1x STD), Syann (Sat. 1x STD), Zoe (Fri. 1x STD)
STD06 "AWARDS"
BEST PULLERS OF INFLATABLE ANIMALS (not forgetting spiderman)
- Ron, Syann and Christiane
MOST IMPROVED SWIMMER AWARD
Last year he failed to Swim the Door (admittedly the sea was rough on the first weekend), but this year he achieved 5 swims.
MOST IMPROVED SWIMMER ONE DAY AND LEAST IMPROVED THE NEXT DAY AWARD
BEST CANOE USE AS SUPPORT CRAFT
BEST SUPPLIER OF MARROW WHISKY
- Julia and Russells next door neighbour
BEST USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO GET TO STD
DIARY OF A "SWIM THE DOOR 06" ADDICT
(aged between 41 years 2 days)
FRIDAY 9TH JUNE
- ATTENDEES: Digger, Dave S, Dave G and Zoe
- SWIMMERS: Digger, Dave S, Dave G and Zoe
SATURDAY 10TH JUNE
- ATTENDEES: Digger, Christiane, Diana, Andrew, Harry, Jono, Diane, Alex, Heidi, Zoe, Maya, Tarun, Sandra, Graham, Emily, Dave S, Helen, Mark P, Ron, Syann, Ella, Rog, Johnny C, David G, Rosemary W, Neil W, Joscelyn W, Alison L, Pamela L, Lew L, Rob.
- SWIMMERS: Digger, Christiane, Diana, Harry (canoe assist), Alex (canoe assist), Heidi (canoe assist) Sandra, Graham, Dave S, Helen, Mark P, Ron, Syann, Rog, Johnny C, David G, Rosemary W, Neil W, Joscelyn W, Alison L, Pamela L, Lew L, Rob.
SUNDAY 11TH JUNE
- ATTENDEES: Digger, Christiane, Jono, Diane, Alex, Heidi, Sandra, Graham, Emily, Helen, Mark P, David G, Nan, Dave, Rog, Annette, Julia, Russell, Chloe.
- SWIMMERS Digger, Christiane, Alex (canoe assist), Heidi (canoe assist), Sandra, Graham, Emily, Helen, Mark P, David G, Rog, Annette, Julia, Russell.
SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR "STAIR HOLE" SWIM
SWIM THE DOOR 2005
In 2005 Digger was to reach a "significant" age so (for no good reason) he thought it would be nice to get 40 people to "Swim the Door" during his birthday week*.
Swims were held daily between 4th and 12th June 2005. The intention was to "STD" at 11am everyday. Unfortunately the recovery process from the "night before" led to some "swims" being considerably late in the afternoon so apologies to anyone who missed us. Saturday 11th was the "Big One" i.e the main World Record attempt*
WHO ON EARTH ATTENDED?
Swimmers from all walks of life attended including accountants, archaeologists, business people, chemists, charity workers, chaplains, community workers, computer people, doctors, language translators, geologists, housewives, mechanics, nurses, physicists, students, solicitors, travellers, lecturers and even a person who sells tea at Anfield.
WHERE DID PEOPLE COME FROM?
Swimmers flew in specially from the continent (Christiane), the Scilly Isles (Mark and Helen), the Far East (Chris and Sandra) AND EVEN AUSTRALIA (due to difficulties with her visa, like she doesn't have one, "Swimming Lizzy" was able to attend the event).
STD05 "ROLE OF HONOUR"
ALL STATISTICS PROVIDED HERE ARE LIABLE TO CHANGE!
Digger (Sa to Su), Richard (Sa), Dan E (Sa & Su), Russell (Sa & Tu), Rolfe (Su), Jo L (Mo), Dan L (Mo), Julia (Tu), Lorraine (Tu), Graham A (Tu & Th), Sandra A (Tu & Th), Neil (Tu & B1), Sandra B (We & B1), Chris S (Th & B1), Zoe (Th & B1), Lizzy (Th & B1), Kev (Fr), Jen (Fr), Christiane (Th, B1 & Su), Sarah (Fr), Greg (Fr), Emily (Fr), Megan (Fr), Hanna (Fr), Jes (Fr), Mike T (B1), Roger (B1), Dave (Fr, B1 & Sun), Helen (B1), Mark P (B1), Ron (B1), Pete (B1), Graham (B1), David G (B1), Rosemary (B1), Bethany (B1), Joscelyn (B1), Matt (B1), Catherine (B1), Alison (B1), Pamela (B1), Johnny (B1 & Su), Rog (B1 & Su),
STD05 "AWARDS"
"BEST" SUPPLIERS OF CHAMPAGNE
- Lorraine, Julia and Russell
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"BEST" ATTEMPT AT DROWNING
In rough conditions on the first Saturday Rolfe changed his mind about going through The Door and swam back against the current. On reaching Rolfe Digger observed "he was on his back and very very white, but he was floating and I know he was probably ok"
"LONGEST" TIME TO GET IN THE WATER
The time of 3 hours and 20 minutes to get into a swimming position in the sea is an "official" world record.
MOST CASUAL SWIMMING TECHNIQUE
Floating on ones back occasionally kicking ones legs is not a technique used in the Olympics (yet!!)
"BEST" CARRYING OF AN UNBRELLA
FURTHEST DISTANCE TRAVELLED TO STD
PERSON WHO BROUGHT MOST SWIMMERS
YOUNGEST PERSON TO STD
- Megan Smith (13) but assisted swim
- Emily Smith & Dan Letoch (both 13) but assisted swims
DIARY OF A "SWIM THE DOOR 05" ADDICT
(aged between 39 years 360 days AND 40 years 5 days)
SATURDAY 4TH JUNE (THE STORMY ONE)
- ATTENDEES: Digger, Julia, Russell, Lorraine, JT, Rolfe, Di, Andrew, Harry, Richard, Isla, Ross, Mum Luke, Brian, Mike T, Ciorstaidh T and GUEST STARRING "Dan & Mrs Earthquake".
- SWIMMERS: Digger, Russell, Richard and "Dan Earthquake". Rolfes swim was aborted for Health and Safety reasons.
SUNDAY 5TH JUNE (THE LESS STORMY ONE)
- ATTENDEES: Digger, Rolfe, JT, Jo, Dan, Toby, Brian and Dan & Mrs Earthquake. I haven't included the AA Rescue Man who attended Jo's car because he claimed to have forgotten his trunks!
- SWIMMERS: Digger, "Dan Earthquake" and Rolfe. JT swim aborted due to the "cold and rain".
MONDAY 6TH JUNE (THE CALMER ONE)
- ATTENDEES: Digger, Jo, Dan and Toby.
- SWIMMERS: Digger, Jo and Dan (aged 15).
TUESDAY 7TH JUNE (THE BIRTHDAY ONE)
- ATTENDEES: Digger, Julia, Russell, Lorraine, Sandra A, Graham A and Emily A.
- SWIMMERS: Digger, Julia, Russell, Lorraine, Sandra A, Graham A and a bottle of champagne.
WEDNESDAY 8TH JUNE (THE DELICATE ONE)
- ATTENDEES: Digger, Sandra A, Graham A, Emily A, Neil, Sandra and Chris.
- SWIMMERS: (a very delicate) Digger and Sandra B.
THURSDAY 9TH JUNE (ANOTHER CALM ONE)
- ATTENDEES: Digger, Sandra A, Graham A, Emily A, Neil, Dave, Chris and Christiane.
- SWIMMERS: Digger, Sandra A, Graham A, Neil, Chris, Christiane and a small plastic dinosaur known as Dino.
FRIDAY 10TH JUNE (YET ANOTHER CALM ONE)
- ATTENDEES: Digger, Dave, Kev, Zoe, Maya, Taran, Sarah S, Greg S, Emily S, Megan S, Kieran S, Jen, Hanna and Jes.
- SWIMMERS: Digger, Dave, Kev, Zoe, Lizzy, Sarah S, Greg S, Emily S (aged 13), Megan S (who at age 12 becomes the youngest person ever to STD05), Jen, Hanna and Jes.
(Sarah officially becomes the "happiest" person to STD05)
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SATURDAY 11TH JUNE ("THE BIG ONE")
- ATTENDEES: Digger, Julia, Russell, Mike T, Ciorstaidh T, Neil, Chris, Sandra B, Christiane, Zoe, Roger, Maya, Tarun, Lizzy, Dave S, Wendy, Helen, Mark P, Ron, Syann, Rog, Johnny C, Pete, Dawn, Elizabeth, Michael, Carol, Graham, David G, Rosemary W, Bethany W, Joscelyn W, Matt S, Sian, Nathan, Cath, Catherine, Alison, Pamela
- SWIMMERS: Digger, Mike T, Neil, Chris, Sandra B, Christiane, Zoe, Roger, Lizzy, Dave S, Helen, Mark P, Ron, Rog, Johnny C, Pete, Graham, David G, Rosemary W, Bethany W, Joscelin W (who aged 13 becomes the youngest person ever to STD05 without a lifejacket), Matt S, Catherine, Alison and Pamela. Unfortunately Carol did not make it through The Door on this occasion, but she did lead the pack of inflatable animals for a while (probably in an attempt to get warm!).
The congo of STD05 swimmers is led towards The Door by a group of inflatable animals.
(Photo by Julian Fells)
Plimey, they have done it....................
(Photo by Julian Fells)
SUNDAY 12TH JUNE (THE ONE FOR PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE)
- ATTENDEES: Digger, Christiane, Dave S, Wendy, Ron, Rog, Johnny C,
- SWIMMERS: Digger, Christiane, Dave S, Rog and Johnny C. Unfortunately although Wendy did get in the water she was 100m short of The Door.
LITTLE DOOR (also known as Bats Hole)
As if Sea-Arch Swimmers (SAS) weren't in esctacy enough over Durdle Door, at the other end of the bay is Little Door (see below). This hasn't been subject to the same attention as its big brother.
Little Door is at the other end of the beach to Durdle Door. It isn't as easy to swim through as DD because its protected by:
- A large mass of leg tangling seaweed.
- Proximity to the nudist part of the bay.
STAIR HOLE
Stair Hole is locate a few hundred metres to the west of Lulworth Cove. It is usually very dangerous but on the Sunday of STD06 conditions were ideal for Swim the Stair!!!
*IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
Every effort has been made in the preparation of this document to provide as accurate information as possible. All statements and opinions are offered in good faith. The author cannot accept any responsibility for errors resulting from data supplied by a third party or the influence of alcohol or even the onset of old age. Therefore the author will not be liable for any loss of life or injury (however hideous) arising from decisions or actions made upon the basis of this document.
NOTE: Seriously now, like all open water swimming there are dangers involved in this activity. If you are not an experenced confident swimmer who is used to sea water conditions you would be stupid to try to STD. We were exceptionally lucky in both 2005 and 2006 with calm sea conditions and also had a number of STD veterans in attendance.
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