5. Llyn Tegid (Bala)

51st Llyn Tegid 2010

 

It has now become customary to start by reporting on the important proceedings which take place at the historic home of the ‘Bala’ Championships, the White Lion Hotel. Back in the early days of the swim our first President Phillip Rising, used to stay here and I believe entertain the local dignitaries. The Friday night proceedings have moved on, from official entertainment to a more ‘serious’ format, that of pure entertainment. Once again the attendees included the usual suspects. Following on from our visit to Dover and Torbay, important safety concerns were discussed over a couple of pints of the aptly name ‘Brains’ by the Rescue Boat Coordinator and the Hon Secretary. They concluded that the local potion was safer than the Dover ‘Abbot’ supplied by Matthew Thomas to the Hon Secretary which had caused much of an issue a couple of weeks earlier.

Saturday started a little early with the swim secretary depositing the boat by the lakeside and putting up the banners, before nipping back for breakfast. What a great idea as upon his return Swimsafe had magically got into the water, thanks Dan. The prospects for the day looked like it was going to be a typically beautiful Bala morning, i.e. wet. The concern held by the swim secretary was that following the publication in the ‘Times’ that Bala was one of the best places to swim in the world and the article included details of the swim, he had visions of hoards of people turning up to swim the 1km race. In fact, as a result of the ‘Times’ article, the swim secretary had become something of a national broadcaster making it to stardom by being on the Jamie and Louise breakfast show on BBC Wales. Strangely nobody during the weekend asked for an autograph!!


The swim secretary has promised for the last three years that we would have excellent conditions the following year. However, in truth we have had for the last four years typical Bala weather. This year we did have a slight exception, the water temperature was 17C. It’s not often that swimmers finish a long swim at Bala and complain that it was too warm, but Darron Corden (Veteran next year) did.

This year entries opened in February and before the swim we had 160 swimmers entered. On the day we took another 16 entries to the 1km swim. Therefore it was another record entry of 176 swimmers. This is currently the biggest swim on the BLDSA calendar and in actual fact the biggest entry we have ever had in any championship during our history. It smashed the previous record entry at Rivington a few years previously, sorry Dee, pity you weren’t there to see your record smashed.


Prior to the start of the 1km and 3km race the wind was fairly strong, resulting in the water being somewhat choppy. This wind caused Daniel a bit of a challenge in placing the buoys. After positioning the first buoy he returned to collect the second only to turn and watch the buoy he’d just positioned blow slowly up the lake. The next issue with the buoys came as we started the race. Dan had agreed with the swim secretary that as soon as the race started he would position the last buoy at the jetty. It never happened because as soon as the race started he had to make two trips taking out of the water four swimmers who found the choppy water difficult to cope with. As the buoy was in the way of getting the swimmers onto the RIB he just let it go and it blew up the lake toward the car park. A short time, later Christian Wade was spotted taking a large yellow buoy for a walk by its lead (pity I didn’t get a picture of this).

Again this year we were fortunate to have electronic timing at the event (thanks Steve & Lynda Walsh for your help). The timing was a godsend for the 1km race which would have been somewhat difficult using traditional manual timekeeping methods.



The briefing for the 1km and 3km events was held and all 98 swimmers were counted into the water prior to the ‘on time’ start. Pam Morgan aligned the swimmers prior to starting the race. Despite entering the 3km race I decided not to swim due to the hoards of swimmers standing on the Llyn’s edge. For the second year on the run the first swimmer to finish was James Whiteside smashing his previous year’s time finishing in 13:05. The 3km races were won by Charlotte Cain (44:28) who took the junior ladies title, Oliver McCloskey (45:49) and Sarah Lucus (41:06) who took the senior titles. The first veteran home was Simon Lee who managed to complete this swim and in a time of (48:38). However, a special mention is required to Bethan Corley who was swimming in the Cheshire 3km race finished before everyone else in 40:57.

For the second year in a row we had an entry in the forties, this year we had 41 swimmers entered for our ‘Blue Ribbon’ event our 2-way Championship. However on the day 34 swimmers entered the water and we got the swim away 1 minute late. The conditions at the start gave the impression that it was going to be a testing swim. Despite the conditions Joe Coy decided to swim Fly. From comments made by the swimmers on their return, the first couple of miles were indeed testing. As usual the dependable Rob Acton manned the turn boat. The return was a quicker leg with the wind behind. We had 3 retirements which included Joe Coy realising that conditions made it difficult to swim fly, a cold swimmer and Simon who just got out. This year the ladies winner was Rebecca Lewis (third year on the run) finishing in 2:30:10 and William Bott (second year on the run) finishing in 2:20:27.

This year the swim secretary had arranged for more new technology to be associated with the swim. Over the past few years the swim secretary has ‘jollied’ around generally enjoying himself, while Sandra completed all the certificates. However, with a new printer, rolls changed. The days of Sandra emerging from the car handing over the certificate to me to present have gone. Introduction of new technology always results in ‘teething issues’ and with the large entry of 1km and 3km swimmers plus the lack of watts to power the printer (thanks Steve for the mobile generator) the certificate production was poor for that race. However, we leant quickly and for the 2-way and 1-way presentations all certificates were printed in time and the presentations started as planned.

Sunday, was a much nicer day with the wind dropping as the day went on. It was a clearer brighter day. The registration and briefing was held on the beach at Llangower. From the 29 swimmers entered, all but one started the swim. But not until Sandra had marked up shoulders and hands of all swimmers and crews. I think she sees it as a new form of Art!!

Just after the swim started the swim secretary explained to a spectator that last year there was a race to get to the finish quickly as it was believed a record would be broken. His thoughts weren’t that a repeat of the sprint was needed. However, upon arriving at the finish once again there were several swimmers charging across the last reaches of the lake towards the finish. Joan and Pam quickly collected their chairs and made their way to the jetty. For the second year in a row both the senior ladies and gents records were broken by Rebecca Lewis and Chris Malpass. They both broke their own records finishing in 1:01:15 and 1:00:47 respectively. A short distance behind them was Eve Fellows who finished in 1:01:52. There was only one retirement which was Nicola Fraser due to a shoulder injury, which was unfortunate as in her current form she would have made the finish even more interesting. But we weren’t finished with great swimming as the next four swimmers included all the junior ladies, with Hawys Hatley winning in 1:02:31. But a special mention is needed to Joe Coy despite swimming 4 mile the previous day Fly before getting out, he started the 3 mile race swimming Fly and it was a great sight to see the smile on his face when he comfortably finish, well done Joe.

The BLDSA is blessed with having a group of extremely generous helpers. Without their help this year, when I broadcast the probable volume of swimmers taking part, running the event would not have been possible. So with that in mind, and the huge entry materialising, I was extremely grateful for all the help received. Particular thanks to our ever dependable President (Pam), Joan, Margaret, Jean, Janet, John, Vince, Jacky, Melanie & Rob Acton, Daniel, Laura, Steve and as usual my long suffering wife Sandra. Thanks also to those who helped over the weekend and are not specifically named. As usual we had tremendous safety cover provided by 2 ribs, Swimrescue and Swimsafe, thanks to the 2 crews and the canoeists, all who sat for many hours on the water, enabling us swimmers to participate in our sport. Just a quick thank you to Mike Jackson who volunteered to follow the 2-way swim in his canoe and ended up escorting one swimmer back after her canoeist suffered a shoulder injury. Also to Martyn Coates who kept an eye on young Sam Bearley who ably supported his dad Steve during the 1-way swim.

We received some very encouraging words of support this year from the Park Warden and I’d like to record here our thanks to Arwell and his team of Wardens for their help and support.

Now I’m feeling quietly confident, that next year’s event will be even better than this year and is provisionally set to be held on 9th & 10th July 2011. I look forward to seeing you there.

Andy Wright, Swim Secretary

 

Andy Wright

Swim Secretary

 

 



 


To see Photographs of the event click on the PHOTOS button

Results

1000 Metres

NAME CLUB TIME PLACE
James Whiteside Rhyl Dolphins 13.05
1st
Heather Lawson Swim Trafford 13.24
2nd
Jessica Williams Bangor 14.09
3rd
Matt Dawson Swansea ValleySC 14.21
4th
Arron McCloskey Satelites 15.17
5th
Kate Miller BLDSA 15.22
6th
Richard Davidson Sandwell LDSC 15.31
7th
Louise Fielding Stockport 15.51
8th
James Jones Carmarthen 15.51
9th
Dawn Andrews Dane Valley SC 15.52
10th
Catherine Thomas Carmarthen 16.00 11th
Manon Lloyd Carmarthen 16.17 12th
Jodie Kirkham BLDSA 16.18 13th
Stuart Taylor Atherton and Leigh SC 16.21 14th
Natalie Jones Otley 16.25 15th
Ian Holmes BLDSA 16.58 16th
Gemma Price Newtown Swimming Club 17.11 17th
Vicky Fisher BLDSA 17.25 18th
Julie Pettener Hoylake SC 18.00 19th
Marcus Guerrero BLDSA 18.06 20th
Kevin McCloskey Satelites 18.09 21sth
Julia Hyndman Newtown SC 18.24 22nd
Ben Maloney Halton SC 18.47 23rd
Louise Undrill Surbiton 19.24 24th
Amber-May Philips Newtown SC 19.50  25th
Sam Thompson Carmarthen 19.59 26th
Catriona Fraser Sheffield 20.13 27th
Diane Pickering BLDSA 20.33 28th
Anna Pope Chester Tri 21.19 29th
Andrew Jones BLDSA 21.40 30th
Beth Swords BLDSA 22.17 31st
Mark Astill BLDSA 22.18 32nd
Kay Gorzko Warrington Dolphins LDSC 22.55 33rd
Steve Kirkham Alsager Bridgstone 23.00 34th
Caroline Gwilym BLDSA 23.05 35th
Sally Green BLDSA 23.47 36th
Angela Lucas Blackpool 24.04 37th
Tristan Carter Unattached 24.29 38th
Paul Sneade Liverpool 24.34 39th
Sarah Warrington BLDSA 25.30 40th
Roy Tapping BLDSA 25.40 41st
Neil Scott BLDSA 26.32 42nd
Elisabeth Walker Yeovil 26.34 43rd
Sara Swords BLDSA 26.40 44th
Clare Johnson BLDSA 26.43 45th
David Molyneux Nantwich Seals 26.48 46th
Eileen Sharman Warrington Dolphins 33.59 47th
Freya Williams BLDSA 34.31 48th
Sue Williams BLDSA 36.36 49th
Alan Davenport BLDSA 38.18 50th
Alan Gillot Sheffield 43.03 51st
Alison Asties Newton Le Willows 43.38 52nd
Jac Tucker Carmarthen Retired
Diane Bailey BLDSA Retired
Jamie Burns Newtown SC Retired
Jessica Morris Newtown SC Retired
Jacqui Parker BLDSA Retired
Barry Walker Halton SC Retired
Emma Sorensen BLDSA DNS
Gino Salvatore BLDSA DNS
Georgia Kirkham Danes DNS  
Lucy Grainge Swim Trafford DNS  
Pete Bridge BLDSA DNS  
Ashley Turner BLDSA DNS  
John Howmans BLDSA DNS  
Tzania Walker Halton SC DNS  

 

3000 Metres

NAME CLUB TIME PLACE
SENIOR FEMALE
Sarah Lucas Blackpool Aquatics 41.06
1st
Lorelle Dooley Wigan Best 54.46
2nd
Tamara Durrespe Barrow LDSC 55.25 3rd
Sally Chapman Barrow LDSC 56.57 4th
Laura Goodyear City of Bradford 57.31 5th
Alice Taylor BLDSA 1.00.30 6th
Bronwyn Donn Tower Hamlets 1.01.35 7th
Emma Pollitt Lancaster 1.02.27 8th
Jade Gillott Stocksbridge Pentaqua 1.04.47 9th
Irene Meikle Barrow LDSC 1.04.54 10th
Helen Sydenham Pennine Swimmers 1.07.35 11th
Jane Sedman Scarborough Kingfishers 1.12.15 12th
Anne Stafford Pennine Swimmers 1.12.20 13th
Margaret Smith Grimsby Water Rats 1.49.15 14th
Eleanor Jackson Wigan Best DNS
Christine Garnock Jones Virgin Health DNS
JUNIOR FEMALE
Charlotte Cain Wigan Best 44.28
1st
Alex Sedman Scarborough Kingfishers 1.07.37
2nd
JUNIOR MALE
Robert Whitley Wrexham SC 49.40
1st
SENIOR MALE
Oliver McCloskey BLDSA 45.49
1st
Simon Lee Solent SC 48.38
2nd
Scott Davison City of Sheffield 51.47
3rd
Dave Reason Howe Bridge marlins 53.56
4th
Lee Gillespie BLDSA 55.04
5th
David Gleghorn Barrow LDSC 55.55 6th
Ian Standing Barrow LDSC 57.24 7th
Kevin Saunders Warrington Dolphins SC 1.00.51 8th
Mike Jackson Wigan Best 1.03.26
9th
Andy Sherratt Warrington Dolphins SC 1.06.04 10th
Adam Rackley BLDSA 1.09.31 11th
Richard Bones BLDSA 1.13.07 12th
Wayne Carter Unattached 1.14.54 13th
Christopher Evans BLDSA 1.20.48 14th
Andy Wright Warrington Dolphins DNS  
Mike Garrock Jones Virgin Health DNS  
Scott Davidson Halton DNS  
Greg Banham City of Chester Tri Club DNS  

 

Senior 6 Miles
NAME
CLUB
TIME PLACE
MALE
William Bott Sandwell LDSC
02.20.27
1st
Chris Malpass City of Chester Tri
02.24.11
2nd
Darron Corden Sandwell LDSC
02.32.29
3rd
Peter May Pennine Swimmers
02.42.21
4th
Mark Preston Pennine Swimmers
02.54.01
5th
Liam O'Sullivan BLDSA
02.58.55
6th
David Granger Glouster Masters
03.09.25
7th
Steve Breary BLDSA
03.16.00
8th
Ryan Nuttall Pennine Swimmers
03.17.22
9th
Christian Wade Warrington Dolphins
03.22.11
10th
Ian Morris BLDSA
03.24.07
11th
Frank Killgannon Halton SC
03.25.38
12th
Rob Doody BLDSA
03.28.10
13th
Kevin Welsh Mickleover Ladies
03.32.00
 14th
David Fawkner BLDSA
03.39.25
15th
Andrew Wilkinson BLDSA
03.43.48
16th
Paul G Watkin BLDSA
03.51.55
17th
Iain Middle BLDSA
03.52.30
18th
Stephen O'Brien Who Knows
04.02.47
19th
Trevor Coleman BLDSA
04.06.17
20th
Matthew Jones Mersey Tri
04.15.28
21st
Gavin Floyd City of Livertpool SC
05.00.49
22nd
Peter Tuczemskui Doncaster
Retired
Simon Lee Solent SC
Retired
Joe Coy Warrington Dolphins
Retired
 
Steff Evans BLDSA
Retired
 
Chris Frey Davies BLDSA
Retired
 
Paul Watson SLCSC
Retired
 
Howard Keech BLDSA
Retired
 
Pete Johnson Bolton Tri Club
Retired
 
Peter Maule High Wycombe CC
Retired
 
FEMALE
Rebecca Lewis Barrow LDSC
2.30.10
1st
Nichola Fraser Stocksbridge Pentaqua
2.33.40
2nd
Eve Fellows Wigan Best
2.34.31
3rd
Michaela Richard Warrington Dolphins SC
3.00.26
4th
Erin Thompson Barrow LDSC
3.35.54
5th
Sarah Beresford Warrington Dolphins
3.38.01
6th
Caroline Lewis Warrington Dolphins SC
4.25.26
7th
Jo Norton Barker Warrington Dolphins
4.27.14
8th
Vicki Thompson Barrow LDSC
4.33.24
9th
Imogen Riley BLDSA
DNS
 

 

Junior 3 miles
NAME
CLUB
TIME PLACE
MALE
     
FEMALE
Hawys Hatley BLDSA
01.02.31
1st
Charlotte Dickinson Warrington Dolphins
01.06.03
2nd
Charlotte Tucker BLDSA
01.10.14
3rd

 

Senior 3 miles
NAME
CLUB
TIME PLACE
MALE
Chris Malpass City of Chester
01:00.47
1st New Record
Peter May Leyland Barracudas
01.07.28
2nd
Simon Lee Solent SC
01.10.44
3rd
Mark Preston Pennine Swimmers
01.13.47
4th
Ryan Nuttall BLDSA
01.14.55
5th
Steve Breary Chester Tri
01.16.56
6th
David Granger Glouster Masters
01.17.32
7th
Christian Wade Warrington Dolphins
01.20.50
 8th
Kevin Welsh Mickleover Ladies
01.23.25
9th
Ian James Kneale BLDSA
01.26.51
10th
Peter Harper City of Liverpool
01.28.54
11th
Steven Colley City of Liverpool
01.30.08
12th
Mark Brearey BLDSA
01.34.01
13th
Matthew Jones Mersey Tri
01.38.10
14th
Oliver Rackham BLDSA
01.41.17
15th
Joe Coy Warrington Dolphins
02.12.23
16th
FEMALE
Rebecca Lewis Barrow LDSC
01.01.15
1st ( New Record)
Eve Fellows Wigan Best
01.01.52
2nd
Sue March BLDSA
01.22.17
3rd
Stephne Douglas BLDSA
01.26.46
4th
Jade Gillott Sheffield
01.37.13
5th
Jo Norton Barker Warrington Dolphins SC
01.43.03
6th
Sian Lloyd BLDSA
01.49.11
7th
Margaret Smith Grimsby Water Rats
01.56.46
8th
Vicki Thompson Barrow LDSC
02.29.28
9th
Nicola Fraser Stocksbridge Pentaqua
Retired
Sally Chapman Barrow LDSC
DNS
 

 

© DL / BLDSA 2010