Any suggestions to prevent my swimming wetsuit iritating my neck during long swims? After about 30 mins, the suit starts to rub through the skin on my neck - most unpleasant!!!! I suppose having a 17.5inch collar doesn't help. The manufacturer (ORCA) advise against petroleum based lubricants like vaseline. I'm going to try a neckerchief later in the week - but any other suggestions would be most appreciated (by me and my poor neck).

hello, i used to get irritaion on the inside of my elbows from my wetsuit, my solution was to use waterproof micropore tape on my skin only needed one small bit on each arm to stop it. I'll try find the name of the tape, it was in my first aid box, normal micropore would just go all soggy.

its worth a try

Doubled up with the micropore tape and a surfers (high collar) rash vest in the end (~£20 on-line) - seems to be working a treat!

Glad to hear its working hows your swimming going? not long till windemere. Are you going to do the Lamlash Splash this year?

Windermere in 18 days - generally underprepared due to the shoddy weather we've been having. I've taken the family on a few camping trips this summer and managed a couple of short open water swims: Brighouse Bay in Dumfriesshire (before being rained out); then a nice runout along Camusdarach Bay, Arisaig (before being rained out) and finally a swim round Threave Castle near Castle Douglas (before being rained out). Scottish Summer!!!!!

I've also entered the Lamlash Splash!

cool, sounds liek you've had an active summer! I will see in Lamlash in September then 

How was Lake Windmere? not long till Lamlash now and its gonna be freezing! I went for a swim the other day and it took me about 5 minutes to get in the water (with my wetsuit on!)

Windermere was terrific (just like the Highlands but warmer, more places to eat and no midges!). The event was based at the YMCA's Lakeside base at the south end of the Lake so there was lots to do for those not swimming (took the kids canoeing, rock climbing and even had a go at archery the next morning). The swim was followed by a BBQ, bar and campfire. Apparently there were over 300 swimmers (~200 swam the 1.5k and ~100 of us swam the 3k). The 3k route extended 1.5k up the lake to a small island (Silver Holme - supposed to be the inspiration for the childrens classic "Swallows and Amazons") and back again. At the island you could stop on the jetty to be served hot chocolate at the lifeguard station (staffed by two very attractive girls in denim miniskirts and tight green wellies). Managed the distance in just under an hour (would have been quicker if I hadn't tarried so long at the lifeguard station).

In addition to the two Outdoor Swimming Society / Breastrokes Charity swims; earlier that morning I noticed ~20 swimmers taking part in the British Long Distance Swimming Association's swim of the entire lake (10.5 miles!!!) - now there's a target for next year!

JIM

P.s. Managed to avoid the man-eating monster catfish (I believe it's the Lake Districts version of the Loch Ness Monster).

Well done!  I would have probably spent a long time having my hot chocolates too  I wonder if there will be anything similar waiting for us @ Lamlash? 

I was in the sea other day, the sea is so much colder than last year! but there is a bonus side to that...no jellyfish!

Glen.