11. Windermere

BRITISH LONG DISTANCE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION 53rd WINDERMERE CHAMPIONSHIP, 5TH SEPTEMBER 2009 The Championship began at 9.20am from Fell Foot following briefings for crews and swimmers. The tradition of Friday night briefing for swimmers and crews was broken this year and following registration from 7.00 am with Pam Morgan (BLDSA President Elect) David Foster, Joan Metcalfe and Margaret Smith on arrival and Crews directed to the rowing boats. David Bewsher from Windermere Lake Cruises arrived to check the boats which had been beached in a nearby field overnight and found to be in good order. The crews were briefed in the field at 8.15 with up to date wind and weather forecast and relevant advice as to the best course for the day. All crews were supplied with a lake chart and a map showing the advised route with notes on the briefing. Following the briefing the crews launched their boats and the swimmers briefing took place outside the café (open early for bacon butties and drinks!) immediately before the start. 31 swimmers entered the water checked by Margaret Smith and were started by BLDSA President Jacky Classen. The RIB safety boats Swimsafe, Swim Rescue, Geordie Dream, Mrs J and Yellow Rib and the Windermere Lake Cruises Launch ‘Venture’ were already in attendance on the Lake. The rowing boats were stationed a short way up the lake and swimmers started their swim through the moored boats supervised by the RIBS. There was a fine drizzle but little wind and the lake looked fairly calm although the recent heavy rain along with the constant downpours over the previous month had not only raised the water level a height washing over the piers (which meant the timekeepers could not get to the launch without wet feet) but had also in the previous 10 days reduced the temperature to an average 15 C. The many streams over and under ground entering the lake ensured cool patches of 14 C with a few more sheltered areas in the bays rising to16 C. The forecast was for rain later in the day and winds from the southwest with gusts to force 3. Crews were advised at the briefing to take their swimmers to the west of the ‘straight line route’ and to avoid being blown across to Low Wood Bay. Later reports were that the wind was pushing one way but a current tugging the other. The swimmers having started Margaret Smith, Dez Griffiths and Sharon Harris set off for the West side of the Ferry to count the swimmers past at this point and Race Control (Beverly Thomas and Carl Walker) departed for the first viewpoint from the A592 just before the Beech Hill Hotel. David Foster (First Aid) went directly to his position at Waterhead and Gill Stables (Swim Sec and Safety) set off for the finish, briefly joining Race Control before reporting to the Lake Warden and checking on weather forecast updates (no change). By this time there had been three retirements, the first had quickly found the water too cold and retired at the YMCA. The next two retired in sight of Race Control near the Beech Hill. There were no other reported retirements until after the Ferry and by this time the lead swimmers were making very good progress, as reported by Geordie Dream, and Steven Bedford giving the race commentary, from the promenade at Waterhead. Geordie Dream arrived with Jacky Classen (BLDSA President) to greet the first swimmer and Gents Champion, William Bott in a very near record breaking time of 4 hours 03 mins 19 secs. William had been in the lead last year when the swim was abandoned so this was his first attempt at the complete course. The next swimmer, and Ladies Champion, finished in an excellent time of 4hrs 29mins 33secs. Nicola Fraser, was the youngest competitor and successful at her first attempt as she had only became a senior this season. Joan Metcalfe was in position at the pier end with the finishing whistle for the Timekeepers Hazel Simm and Terry Lambert while John Wilson, as First Aid on the water, joined Reg Simm on the launch. Five minutes later Darron Corden finished, followed by two more first-timers - Glen Steer and Fraser Pressdee. Pam Morgan (President Elect) greeted the swimmers at the finish – Jacky having returned to safety boat duty. Then came the return of the first of several swimmers who had retired with the cold, after the islands. They had either opted to stay with their rowing boat or to be taken by safety boats and the launch to the finish. Meanwhile Simon Lee (having completed Two Way four weeks ago) finished 12 mins ahead of Amy Mellor, second lady at her first attempt, in 5hrs 19. It was a further 40 minutes until David Granger finished in just over six hours, followed by a close finish between Peter Vaiders and Robert Drysdale, then Jonathan Sharp-Fisher and the oldest finisher Chris Green (10th Gent) 25mins later Vicki Thompson finished as third lady. All swimmers finished within nine hours, Steffan Evans and Ian Down, then Garry Vilmans and Jo Norton Barker. Jonathan Eastwood and Julie Ryan were less than a minute apart and Jamie Shattock gave us a very exciting finish just seconds inside the Championship time limit. There were 10 retirements in total, all due to the cold conditions, but although the water temperature was on the low side the continuous heavy rain kept away, with just a light drizzle and a few short sharp showers throughout the day. The presentation was held at the D&D and S&S Club in Bowness where trophies and certificates were presented by the BLDSA President Jacky Classen. Thank you to all the aforementioned officials and supporters who helped with the Championship, and to Fellfoot National Trust, Windermere Lake Cruises and Windermere Lake Wardens. Thanks to the safety RIB crews - Daniel and Matthew Thomas, Vince and Jacky Classen, Andy and Sandra Wright, Jimmy Tinsley and Chris Simm, and a special thanks to all the swimmers and their crews. The weather this year was an improvement on last year! Here’s hoping next year will bring sunshine as well.   Championship Secretary Gill Stables 3 Lower Castle Park Kendal Cumbria LA9 7BW Tel01539 737083 Mob07773 861507 email gillstables@nascr.net

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Results

© DL / BLDSA 2009