OPEN WATER HEROES
And they're off! Colin's Great Swims have proved hugely popular
Hill also targeted swimmers, rather than triathletes. “It’s not that we have anything against triathletes,” he says. “It’s just that many triathletes swim because they have to, not because they want to. We wanted to create something that simply appealed to swimmers. Our races are about being a swimmer and enjoying swimming for its own sake.” Hill doesn’t let himself or Nova International take all the credit for massive interest in the Great Swim Series. “We were lucky with our timing,” he says. When the races were launched, “David Walliams had just swum the Channel; Kate Rew and Daniel Start both published their books [Wild Swim and Wild Swimming, respectively]; open water swimming became an Olympic event and Britain had three medallists. Suddenly, open water swimming looked cool and exciting.” As for the future of the Great Swim Series, Hill is reluctant to
reveal too much. “The competition is increasing. People have seen our success and a lot more race organisers are putting on events, so we wouldn’t want to share all our plans. However, we are looking at additional venues, and I’d like to add a sea swim to the series.” For 2011 at least, the goal is clear. “We want to ensure every one of the races in the series goes ahead this year. In 2010 we had two races cancelled because of blue-green algae. It turned out there wasn’t a consensus about what constitutes safe levels and so we’re working with scientists to get a clearer picture on this and the risks posed by differing levels of algae.” What about introducing a 10km race in line with the standard Olympic distance for the sport?
“There will always be people who want to swim longer, but a mile is still a significant challenge for many people. It requires a big effort. In some ways, we see Great Swim as a portal to open water swimming. Once people realise they can swim a mile some are tempted to move on to longer challenges, but we think the mile is the right distance for us.”
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COLIN HILL’S TOP TIPS FOR BEGINNERS ∆ Enter an event. Once you’ve made the commitment, it gives you the motivation to train and change your lifestyle. ∆ Find people to train with. It’s easier to stay motivated if you swim with other people. There’s so much going on now with groups organised through Facebook, the Outdoor Swimming Society (OSS) and masters swimming clubs.
∆ Try to do some swimming outside before your race. There are hundreds of venues around the country where you can try open water swimming in a safe and controlled environment.
∆ Don’t be afraid to swim outside. It’s what people always used to do. Find your local swim spot (perhaps through the OSS) and just enjoy it, but do use your common sense and stay safe.
Hill has some of those longer challenges in his own sights. “Once you become an open water swimmer you start looking at maps differently and wondering, ‘Can I swim across that?’” Hill crossed the Channel in 2009 in 10 hours and 30 minutes and he’s also swum the Messina Strait. He’s tempted by both the Gibraltar Strait and the Cook Strait. “And when I’m not doing swim races or long swims, then I love nothing better than to find new places to swim outdoors.” He also admits he nearly always travels with a towel and a pair of trunks, and when he’s at home he swims from 5.30 am to 7.30 am every morning, as well as some evening sessions with the local triathlon club. It sounds a bit like an obsession, but what else would you expect from a man whose passion has single-handedly changed the face of British swimming. Colin, we salute you! ∆
Photo © Nova International/ Great Swim
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