WARM-UP OPEN WATER NEWS
RETURN TO INLAND BEACHES In mainland Europe, inland beaches, where the public can swim for free in lakes and rivers, are common. In the UK however, the last inland beach, at Bury Lake, Rickmansworth, closed more than 20 years ago. Now the Outdoor Swimming Society (outdoorswimming
society.com) is hoping to reverse this trend. The society’s Inland Access Officer, Robert Aspey, has been working to secure a new inland beach at Rutland Water and, subject to risk assessments and operational plans, the beach should be open this summer. Robert is also working on a useful 'how to' guide for anyone who would like to push for an inland beach in their area, so email him for a copy if you are interested (
duckrustler@live.co.uk).
WHEN YOU SWIM NOTHING AT ALL? You know something’s seized the public imagination when celebrities start doing it, and open water is clearly the latest fad. First David Walliams, and now the news that Irish pop starRonanKeating and business tycoon Sir Richard Branson are going to swim the Irish Sea to raise money for cancer charities. Their 10-member team are hoping to set a new Guinness World Record for the 56mi (90ki) stretch from Dublin, Ireland, to Holyhead in Wales. Keating has said, "I'm not a strong swimmer so it's going to be a real challenge for me." The group aims to raise £1 million for Cancer Research UK and the Marie Keating Foundation when they tackle the feat in September.
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BIG DEMAND FOR HENLEY SWIM
The Henley Swim, now in its eighth year, has established itself as a favourite on many people’s event calendar, despite (or perhaps because of) a 4.30am start time. The 2.1km swim takes place on the boomed course of the
Henley Royal regatta and attracts competitors from around the world. For safety and logistical reasons, this year’s event is restricted to 600 swimmers and those places were snapped up fast – the first 300 slots were taken up
within 19mins of going on offer on 20 February, according to event organisers Jeremy Laming and Tom Kean. “One of our aims is to create
events that are really unique,” said Laming, adding that the Henley swim has developed an almost cult-like following, which they don’t want to lose through overcrowding. “Although we’ve grown steadily each year, we’ve been careful not to expand too rapidly as one of our primary goals is to take care of our swimmers and give them a great experience,” he said. “Unfortunately, some potential swimmers were disappointed.”
Luckily for those that missed out, there is to be a second event for serious Henley enthusiasts. Laming and Kean recently received the green light for a 14km down-river trek between the bridges of Henley and Marlow. “This event will not be a
Plastics washed up on a beach in south-east Asia
Henley at 4.30am
BUDE SEA POOL SAVED (FOR NOW)
The campaign to save Bude’s sea pool in Cornwall has achieved a modicum of success, after Cornwall Council has granted the pool a year-long stay of execution. Local swimmers were disgusted earlier this year when they were told that the pool would have to be closed, after £30,000 was slashed from the council’s budget. Local councillor Nathan Bale then led a campaign to save the pool, attracting thousands of supporters, including local MP, Dan Rogerson, who said: “Cornwall Council
race but a serious swimming challenge,” said Laming. “Swimmers will be expected to maintain a certain pace with a canoe escort, along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Thames.” The first running of the event is scheduled for 21 August 2011 and it will be hosted by Marlow Rowing Club. For more information on either of these events, see
henleyswim.com
seem to be rushing into cuts without looking at what effect they will have. The Bude sea pool is an important asset to Bude and the surrounding area. Cornwall Council should be working with local people to come up with a plan which will ensure the long term future of the sea pool.”
More than 3,000 people signed the petition against the pool’s closure, and 4,100 joined the 'Save Bude Sea Pool' Facebook page (
on.fb.me/h8pyWl). As a result, the group have now been granted permission to try and find the cash themselves, with locals taking on the responsibility for the running of the pool. For more on this, see
budepeople.co.uk
Photo © Henley Swim
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