Swimming in Ramsey Bay – some things to note

· If your thinking of going swimming on the North Beach (Mooragh Promenade) forget it. The water quality on that beach is not of the highest quality because of a raw sewage outfall pipe. The pipe does go some way out and the current takes the waste north towards the Point of Ayre. All the same; leave it……

· If your plan is to train between the piers (Stone and Iron) and your starting at the Stone Pier then remember not to park your car in the yellow ‘grid’ outside the Lifeboat Station. It’s recently been extended as apparently the RNLI now needs most of the promenade to turn the lifeboat round. They’re in charge, and if you need them you won’t be happy if they can’t turn their boat round because your cars in the way.

· Early to Mid May through to Mid June is Jelly fish season in the bay. The bigger ones you can see and usually dodge but there are literally thousands of smaller ones, most semi transparent. With face hands and feet usually exposed whilst swimming these are the areas that ‘take the hit’. It can be quite uncomfortable, especially on the face. The feeling is similar to that of a nettle sting, and can take a couple of hours to ‘fade away’. If it’s still stinging when you get home you can apply some acetic acid (vinegar) which will help. Try not to rub it as this will actually make it worse.

· Generally water clarity is pretty good though it does depend on the time of year. Later on in the summer algae starts to appear and whilst harmless it does make the water a bit cloudy.

· Temperature. Generally the coastal waters around the Isle of Man can be described as cold in the summer and very cold in the winter. We are in the Gulf Stream bit you wouldn’t think so. Swimming time in a Tri Wetsuit is probably mid April through to end of October, and this depends on if summer starts early, late, or not at all. There are some who swim year round, but if your doing this you need to move to the next level in terms of equipment. In other words divers boots and gloves along with the much sort after ‘gimp’ hat. Basically a 3mm neoprene swimming hat with a chin strap!!