This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Iwan Thomas - The Great Swim


HEAD TO HEAD


Great Swim


The


Over the course of the summer, thousands of people are taking part in the UK’s biggest outdoor swimming series. The Great Swim started in June and includes lochs in Scotland and the docks of London, giving people the chance to swim in places you never thought possible. No matter your ability, you can still get involved and get swimming, and we spoke exclusively to ambassador Iwan Thomas to help give us some more detail on what it’s all about.


an you just give us an idea of what the Great Swim entails? Great Swim is the biggest open water swimming series in the UK, made up of fi ve events held in London, Ipswich, Manchester, Windermere and Loch


Lomond. It’s a brilliant opportunity to get involved in a fast growing and exciting sport, in a safe and controlled environment. Participants can chose from four different distances depending on what kind of a challenge they’re looking for, from a half mile for beginners and 12-16’s - right up to 5k for the seasoned wild swimmer.


Are we talking about serious competitors or can anyone have a go?


Anyone can have a go! I’m defi nitely not a serious swimmer, but I can’t wait to get in a wetsuit and swim in some of the really iconic locations like Windermere and Loch Lomond, it will be an incredible experience. I’m not brilliant at swimming so it’s something I can test myself at and hopefully get better at.


And what is your role with the event? I’m the ambassador for the series, so I’m on board to promote the events and get as many people as possible involved. As an ex-athlete people love to have a bit of healthy competition with me, but I like that!


How did you initially get involved? I’ve done a number of the Great Run sister events and really enjoyed them. I’ve done the Great North Run and it was brilliantly organised so when I was asked to get involved with this I thought why not, it’s another challenge.


Is there still time for people to be a part – what’s the best way of doing it? Yes entries for all the events are still open, you can fi nd out more or enter at Great Swim’s offi cial website.


This is all about open water swimming, isn’t it – does it differ hugely from the pool? When you hear the distance “1 mile” it can sound a bit daunting, but if you can do 64 lengths in the pool then you can do a mile in open water and the events are wetsuit only, so that will aid in buoyancy. The experience in open water is obviously very different to a pool - getting out into nature and swimming without lanes, walls or chlorine, with those incredible backdrops, will be pretty special.


You’re still the Commonwealth record holder in the 400m – will you be keeping an eye on the event next year? Is there anyone you’re worried might take it? I set the British Record in 1997 (with 44.36seconds) and can’t believe it still stands today. I defi nitely competed during a time when 400m running was extremely competitive but fi ngers crossed the guys will keep improving and break the record.


And training? How do you still keep yourself fi t after


retirement? I love training, I get a real buzz from it and it means that I can do stuff like swimming, the Great Runs and marathons. My biggest problem is not going off too hard and making everything into a sprint, some things will never change!


Thanks Iwan and good luck with it all. Cheers!


Aqua Sphere is the offi cial swim kit partner to Great Swim and its wet suits are available for hire or purchase by participants www.activinstinct.com 53


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74