Music, Sound and Stereo Underground

For some time I had a quirky ‘claim to fame’ which I would gleefully wheel out during the obligatory ice breakers at numerous management conferences and training events I used to attend. Which was ‘that although I’ve taken off in a plane, I have never landed in one’. This was due to the fact that the first time I flew from the then Ipswich airport, I jumped out wearing a parachute. It was a static line jump from 2000 feet, which meant that it was solo using a round parachute. Although the basic direction of this type of ‘chute can be controlled, they are harder to ‘slow down’ prior to landing. Or in my case crashing. I did the jump with two friends from work: Fiona and Laurence. Unlike me, they both landed well and carried on doing lots of jumps and getting their flight cards nicely completed.

Aerial view of Ipswich Airport

However, despite ‘just the one jump’ elements of that experience have stayed with me for more than thirty years. And it is one of these which resonates with my winter swimming experience.

Part of my preparation for each swim is the raising and moving of energy within my body. The obvious aspect of this is the cycle ride from home to the beach hut where I change. According to Google Earth this is 1,243.81m. I pedal hard and am aware of the increased blood flow as I arrive to unlock my hut. But far more interesting is the movement of energy created by what I listen to. This is always the latest recording of a BBC Local Radio programme called Stereo Underground, which is hosted by BBC Radio Solent and steered wonderfully by Richard Latto. The show goes out live once a week on a Saturday evening between 6pm and 8pm and claims to be the most downloaded local radio programme on the BBC, which I can well believe. I can’t remember exactly how I accidentally discovered it but when I did it became a must-listen to event for me. The description of the show is “Music with attitude that defines a zest for life and an alternative spirit”. That’s a great summary and as well as the music itself - which is often upbeat and determined - Richard’s wonderful enthusiasm for the music he plays is contagious. 

Consequently, I usually strut - yes, I think it’s fair to say, that’s a good description of how I move - towards the very cold water with a great song still enveloping my senses and swirling my energy ready for the plunge into ‘silence’. 

And this is where the parachute jump comes in. The most amazing moment of awareness I had during that experience as I leapt from the open door of the plane into vast space…..was the staggering auditory contrast. With its door open the aircraft was incredibly noisy and all instructions leading to the jump itself were made with hand gestures. But as soon as I left the safety of this purposely designed flying machine and found myself in the unnatural position as a human being of being 2000 feet above the ground, all sound just stopped. 

It was and still remains one of the most beautiful moments of my life. It wasn’t the view, as fantastic as that was of the River Orwell and sea in the distance. It wasn’t the incredible freedom from being surrounded by open space in a way I had never experienced before, it was the silence. And the contrast with seconds before was astounding and breathtaking.

So when I enter the water and I do this pretty quickly, holding onto the stair rail for a few seconds as the cold water shock passes and my breathing becomes naturally slower and stiller - whatever classic track has remained imprinted on my mind’s ear on the short walk from the beach hut, instantly dissolves. With breathing regulated I submerge my head and push off for the 250m circuit. 

Heading to the post during my 250m circuit

Although there is more to be aware of when I swim, than when I was dangling from a parachute, I still re-connect with that sense of peace and stillness. On good days I can feel in harmony with the water, even when I’m pushing against the current. The silence and the connection are blissful, and this sometimes lasts for the majority of my time in the water, which varies between 7 and 12 minutes depending on tide, wind, current and my own strength and stroke co-ordination.

Then, as soon as I reach the beach hut, I welcome Richard back into my world with his perfect choice of music with attitude, alternative anthems, punk, goth, new wave and ‘everything around the fringy edges’. I then begin my 10 minute race against the ‘After-drop’ clock and Stereo Underground always spurs me on to get my top layers sorted, hot water and sugar inside me before the shivers start. 

And most days I manage to make it!

Richard insists that all he does is play the requests of his listeners - something I never considered becoming until I was inspired by my friend Sara-Jane. I had introduced her to Stereo Underground for all of a week before when her name was being read out by Richard and a Kate Bush classic was being played. So I e-mailed the show the following week and to my surprise and delight Richard read out my e-mail and gave a mention to the Polar Bear Challenge.

You can hear a recording of this by clicking here, along with my track choice of Poppy Bird by Bromshead Jacket, a song that always moves me, every time I hear it. As a delightful twist almost an hour after my request was being played live on the radio I was performing my own cover version of the same song at a Zoom benefit event for the Mid-Essex Buddhist Centre. Fortunately this was not recorded!

Richard kindly sends out Stereo Underground beer mats, or ‘executive coasters’ for those amongst us who don’t drink alcohol, for listeners who provide great gig stories. And just to show what a great guy he is he liked my story so much that he sent me a couple which arrived a week or so later.

So thank you Richard Latto, thank you Sara-Jane and thank you to all the music that continues to inspire and delight and create the sounds that circulate the energy I need to keep merrily travelling on the chilly path of this challenge.

A Big Thank you to Richard Latto