Curl Curl hypothermia

I had a very interesting Saturday. I had decided to do the North Curl Curl swims:
9am - the 2km ocean swim
10am - the "Three Points Challenge" a 400m swim, followed by a 1.5km run to South Curly, a 300m swim and 1.5km run to Freshie beach, then a 200m swim and a 3.5 km run back to the start

Here's the official report

The morning dawned pouring with rain and windy. By the time we got to the start things were looking grim with wind, choppy and completely unsettled water, fairly hefty swell but no discernable break so you couldn't rely on getting to the smooth water outside the break - there was no smooth water.

Not ideal conditions and as I stood shivering in my speedos on the beach looking apprehensively at the water I thought "Do I really need to be doing this?" Then I thought what's the point of only ever doing easy things? Harden up and get in there.

The water was surprisingly warm and really clear too, visibility under water was incredible even with the driving rain and slate grey skies. Above the waterline however it was almost impossible to see the cans and buoys through the incessant chop and whitecaps.

It wasn't an easy swim, I'm sure I swam a lot further than the actual distance in trying to find my way. I also took it very slowly because I wanted to make sure I saved plenty of energy for the Three Points Challenge afterwards so that I could go hard and fast in that.

In the end I came into the beach at about 45 minutes where Sarah and Helen were standing in the sideways driving rain cheering. I had to stand for 5 minutes in my speedo exposed to the wind while the timekeepers faffed around before they would finally record my time. So by this stage I was pretty chilly. So chilly in fact that as I went to get my towel and prepare my shoes for the next race, Sarah was looking at me with some concern and saying she really didn't think it would be a good idea for me to do the next race.

Why? Well I was shivering uncontrollably, my teeth were chattering, my eyes were wide & staring and my lips and fingernails had turned blue! I paid some attention to how my body was feeling and I came up with the conclusion that it wasn't too good and that it was probably best not to get back in the water straight away. In fact I didn't feel like doing another race at all.

After a short but tumultuous internal battle between my ego and my common sense, I decided to withdraw from the Three Points Challenge and let Sarah drive me to Mum and Dad's place for a hot shower, a cup of tea and some warm dry clothes.

I was a little bummed because I didn't push very hard in the swim so had a slow time, but didn't get to do the race afterwards which I had been looking forward to. However I think I made the wise decision, and a nice slow 2km swim in tough conditions can only be a good thing for my Canberra Half Ironman preparation.