[Paddlewise] Loch Ness, Scotland

Folks,
    I am back in the (relative) safety of my law practice in New York
City
from Loch Ness, Scotland. Last week I had the privilege of escorting
Tammy van Wisse on her swim of Loch Ness, Scotland. It is 24 miles in
length (approx.). That makes approx. 53 miles across the water with
Tammy
as her kayaker just this Summer alone. We also did the 28.5 mile swim
race around Manhattan Island in June, 1999.
    Tammy van Wisse completed her swim of Loch Ness, Scotland in record
time. 9 hrs. 6 min. - without the benefit of tides or currents! The
water temperature was between 7-12 deg. Cel. which I believe converts
into 48-57 deg. F.. Burrr! For much of the trip we had lots of wind,
blowing
at force 5, and surf.  In fact, while there were waves, they couldn't be
surfed
because of a) the extremely cold water, b) the lack of buonancy, and
c) temperature thermoclines, all as explained to me by a boatman there.
Apparently the energy from the waves would just wrap under the surface
and move downward.
    It was a nasty time out there. I did my duty in a Feathercraft
K-Lite.
As a convinced 'glass kayak user (Current Design Solstice), I found that

the conditions on the Loch most definitely did not favor the K-Lite.
There
were serious waves that you could hear coming up behind you. Then they
would ripple along under the rubber bottom of the boat. At 6'2" I felt
each
wave on my legs in the bottom of the boat. To me it felt like a very
frightening massage each time.
    The water absolutely is spooky! The sky generally is cloudy or
overcast.
No surprises there. We had some sun during the afternoon. The water is
dark and splashes bubbles on  the surface rather than reabsorbed or
foaming.
Perhaps it's hard to visualize,  but guess how we felt. Also, the water
bubbled
on your skin (I did swim after the event briefly). And it had a
phosporescent
glow or glisten. Nessie was not the worry.
    We did our trip from Fort Augustus in the southwest corner to the
northeast
finish at Loch End. The people of Loch End and all over Inverness were
terrific.
Caley Cruises lent us power boats, but really and truly is in the
business of
chartering craft. Audrey is the greatest. If you ever consider a cool
vacation call
her for details. or e-mail. www.caleycruisers.com or e-mail:
info_at_caleycruisers.com   Her support made the difference for Tammy's
effort. Enough praise couldn't
be lavished on her.
    For my  kayak, I specifically wish to thank the generosity and
support of
Peter Pope. His support cannot overlook the kind offers by many others
on
this list. Mike Fishbein, in particular, deserves praise for the effort
to put a boat
into my hands on loan. There were others who tried, as well.
    Take a look at the photo gallery and interview with Tammy.
http://www.lochness.scotland.net/
    Then if you are impressed, take a moment and post her a note of
congratulations at the site. Some of the New York area folks may have
met her during her two huge swims in the Manhattan Island race in '97
and '99.
    Finally, if any of you spot me around New York, do not be alarmed.
Once
again my Aussie friends on the crew (Tammy's brother, fiance and a
friend from Melbourne) did something special and uniquely Australian to
me. Upon arriving
they shaved my head (from bruneete/gray) and dyed my hair Super Blond!.
Once again they showed no limits to teir enthusiasm and proved
themselves
to be the greatest bunch of  friends to do a daunting trip like this.
Our group felt
like a family. It was a thrill and an honor to participate in another
swim as
Tammy's kayaker. Back to practicing law. Richard Clifford

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