13. Lynn Regis

Once again Ullswater was blessed with glorious sunshine, swimmers and crews began arriving and getting booked in. Leslie Du Cane was started at around 08.30, to enable him to gain ground to come in at the finish with the main group. At 10.00 Officials and safety crews ready and the Steamers away from the Jetty the 19 remaining swimmers and crews filed in to water which was 18 - 20 degrees centigrade. There was very little wind and for swimmers and crews posed a danger of dehydration or sunburn. BLDSA President Bev Thomas started the race and in the usual flurry, off they went.

There were two non starters, Simon Lee due to personal commitments and Thomas Noblett who had attempted the English Channel earlier in the week but was beaten by the tides. Our commiserations are passed on to him.

One swimmer was unfortunately forced to retire from the race as the canoe he had borrowed appeared too small and difficult even for a reasonable kayaker to control. We were saddened by this as we strive to help those with problems. Unfortunately we did not have a spare kayaker to take his place. This reinforces how important it is, to swimmers, to ensure their crew and the equipment used, are up to the challenge before the championship.

The race went steadily with swimmers pulling away from each other to gain their placing and there were no further retirements. First home once again was William Bott to take the male freestyle cup, the calmer conditions denying him the chance to beat his record breaking time last year. First female home was Nicola Fraser, followed by last year’s winner Dee Llewellyn. 1st breastroke once again goes to Leslie Du Cane. The remainder of the field continued to arrive home the results as below.

This year we were pleased to accept a new Trophy for Ullswater, the Taylor Trophy for Endeavour, presented by Paul and Amanda Taylor. Paul and Amanda are well known to the Long Distance fraternity, being long standing swimmers themselves. They wanted to give something back into the association of swimmers, to recognise that all swimmers achieve an amazing goal of endurance no matter how fast they swim. On behalf of the BLDSA I would like to thank them for such a beautiful trophy and for attending to present it to this year’s winner Rob Sara.
It was awarded to Rob for achieving the 7 mile distance after many years of absence from Long Distance swimming, an excellent swim.

I would like to say a big THANK YOU, to those who helped in making this championship possible. Firstly to Daniel Thomas for sorting out a misunderstanding, at such short notice, over the number of safety boats and crews required for the championship and to Matthew Thomas for stepping in to ensure adequate cover. I am very grateful to them.

Second to my officials and helpers
Beverly Thomas BLDSA President
Daniel Thomas Safety Boat Coordinator
Gill Stables Race Control
Jean Wilkin Oxley Race Referee
Vince Classen Safety Officer
Janet and John Wilson First Aid
John Wilson Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection
Matthew Thomas and Laura Thomas Swim Rescue
Daniel Thomas and Fern Hopkinson Swim Safe
Vince Classen and Silke Fraser Geordie Dream
Time Keepers Pat Llewellyn, Vikki Thompson, David Myers, and Neil Fraser

The local support was once again appreciated from:
Ullswater Steamer Company, Outward Bound Trust, Dalemain Estate, The Crown Inn, St Patricks Boat Landings, Lakeland Boat Hire, Eusemere Estate and the Wardens and Volunteers of the National Trust

I am especially grateful to my husband Vince for all his administrative help and support, and to the Fraser Family and their partners who took on many roles to enable the championship to go ahead safely.

From the comments of the swimmers, crews and officials, the championship was a success. The water was very warm and Liane Llewellyn commented on how pleasant, for once, it was to go through the cooler areas of water. Kayakers were taking the plunge also to cool down from the sweltering weather after the swim. I give my applause to the swimmers and their crews for their achievements and for making this a safe and enjoyable event.

Results


GENTS
NAME	AGE	STROKE	CLUB	TIME	PLACE
William Bott	31	f/s	Sandwell Valley	2.43.55	1st
Matthew Hills	40	f/s	BLDSA	3.22.00	2nd
Matthew Ryall	36	f/s	BLDSA	3.32.26	3rd
Christian Wade	38	f/s	Warrington Dolphins	3.35.39	4th
David Randall	56	f/s	BLDSA	3.44.30	5th
Mark Robson	42	f/s	BLDSA	3.47.08	6th
Rob Sara	46	f/s	BLDSA	4.10.09	7th
Paul Collins	28	f/s	BLDSA	4.16.54	8th
Alister Stocks	48	f/s	BLDSA	4.31.33	9th
Nicholas Jones	39	f/s	BLDSA	4.54.52	10th
Leslie DuCane	56	bst	Serpentine	6.24.10	11th
Stephen Jones	32	f/s	BLDSA	Retired
Thomas Noblett	49	f/s	Windermere	DNS
Simon Lee	46	6th	Solent SC	DNS
LADIES
Nicky Fraser	18	f/s	Stocksbridge Pentaqua	2.55.11	1st
Dee Llewellyn	33	f/s	City of Bradford	3.03.08	2nd
Jane McCormick	29	f/s	BLDSA	3.07.54	3rd
Nuala Muir-Cochrane	46	f/s	BLDSA	3.14.16	4th
Liane Llewellyn	29	f/s	City of Bradford	3.31.13	5th
Helen Leigh	26	f/s	BLDSA	3.32.59	6th
Sarah Beresford	33	f/s	BLDSA	3.56.50	7th
Jo Norton-Barker	41	f/s	Warrington Dolphins	4.07.46	8th