5. Llyn Tegid (Bala)

BLDSA 49th Llyn Tegid – 12th & 13th July 2008 Despite my confident predictions that the weather this year was going to be good, I was proved wrong. The weather this year was ‘changeable’ with some good spells (not many), the rest of the time it was less than good (raining). Nevertheless, it’s the unpredictability that makes Llyn Tegid such a challenge and a greater achievement when it’s been swum. As usual the Llyn Tegid campaign started on the Friday evening in the White Lion, where the regulars meet to discuss tactics. The tipple of the night was ‘The Rev James’, which was delicately samplegain by the team of organisers. Unfortunately, the pub ran out mid-way through the proceedings. The principal swimmer in attendance was, as usual Leslie DuCane who took the required quantity of carbohydrate loading, prior to leaving with rucksack on his back and flag alpha in hand. However, Simon Lee was once again noticeable by his absent; still unaware of the useful tips he is missing out on to sustain him into his veteran years, now only a season away. So on to the Saturday morning with the Gazebo erected and equipment out, both ‘Swimrescue’ and Swimsafe’ in the water, buoys in position, the competitors started to arrive and they just kept arriving. We managed to get the briefing underway a few minutes late. Fortunately, despite the quantity of rain laid down in the weeks preceding the swim, the lake level this year was comfortably below the top of the stone jetty. However, the water temperature for the second year running was a little brisk at 55 oF/13oC. To my surprise we had 30 entries on the day for the 1km race which took some effort to process. Both the 1km and 3km races are now proving to be very popular and are now a substantial part of the Championship entry. Despite the huge entry all swimmers were individually counted into the water and the race got away only a few minutes late. Once again the Wigan Best youngster stormed off into the lead, leaving that BLDSA old boy Tom Wilkinson swallowing splashes in their tracks. The 1km race was convincingly won by Sarah Lucas (Newtonhall ASC) in a remarkable time of 11:54, followed by the first male Daniel Craigen (Chester) in 12:56. In the 3km race Chris Suggitt (Wigan Best) finished as first junior gent in 36:53 with fellow team mate Eleanor Jackson retaining here title in the junior ladies in 39:47. Heading the seniors, Jennifer Jackson (Wigan Best) won the ladies race in 36:53 with Christian Wade (Warrington Dolphins) winning the gents 47:21. Star sprinter Mike Jackson was unable this year to get into the medals. Entry for the two-way race was down on last year with 15 gents and 3 ladies entered. All swimmers were once again counted in and the swim started only a few minutes late. The conditions this year were much more favourable compared to last year the only point of concern being the unseasonable temperature. We had no retirements on the way down the lake, but it’s the return that proves the challenge and four swimmers retired on their return, none of them more serious than being a little cold. As the 2 hour 15 minute mark approached the leaders were in sight and it was Darron Corden (Sandwell) who finished first making it his 8th victory in a time of 2:28:27. Next to finish was Rebecca Lewis (Barrow) who finished in 2:30:28. Steve O’Brien (Warrington Dolphins) won the breaststroke race in 3:59:03. The Sunday one-way 3mile Championships again started from Llangower Public Beach, with the briefing at 11:30am all swimmers and their crews were accounted for, swimmers were counted in by the jetty and the race started just after noon. Once again the Wigan Best juniors sprinted away from the rest of the field. The official then collected the remaining equipment together and then quickly proceeded to the over end of the lake for the finish. And a good job they did, because shortly after arriving, the first swimmers were identified and were approaching fast. The officials proceeded to the end of the jetty together with Tom Wilkinson, where it was quickly established that the first swimmers were going to set new records. With Tom leading the shouts, Chris Suggitt increased his pace; the question now was whether he would go under the 1hour. Well, not quite this year, Chris finished 1st junior gent in the new record time of 1:00:52. But that was not the end of the speedy swimmers as only a short distance behind was Eve Fellows (Wigan Best) finishing first junior lady also in a new record time of 1:01:47. And there was more, following a short distance behind them were the seniors, with Chris Malpass (Chester) and Rebecca Lewis (Barrow) racing stoke for stroke, Chris managing to finish first in 1:02:18 with Rebecca finishing in 1:02:27. With Rebecca beating her old course record. As usual I am indebted to those who ran the swim for me. Thanks to Daniel and Laura who took charge of safety on the water. Too often taken for granted, yet always appreciated by swimmers who retire. Thanks also to Steve O’Brien who was in ‘swimsafe’ when he wasn’t swimming. A large thank you to Andy Walters and Mike who once again provided valuable canoe support as too did Joe Wilkin-Oxley. To Graham Smith and Daniel for their refereeing and a huge thank you to Robert and Melany Acton, Robert who must be the world expert in sitting at the top of Bala and counting swimmers. John Wilson I am pleased to report wasn’t kept to busy, thanks again for your First Aid cover. Now on to the shore team of Pat, Sandra, Margaret and Nicola, as usual they did everything while I hung around enjoying myself. Finally, thanks are due to the Mayor of Bala, Mr. Pritchard-Jones, Arwel Morris the Park Warden and his team. And lastly can I thank the swimmers, their canoeists, friends and family because without your attendance we wouldn’t have a swim. It was another great weekend with 105 swimmers present and the provisional date for next year is 11th & 12th July 2009, see you all there. Oh by the way, it’s going to be lovely and warm next year!! Now to the story of the weekend: following the 3km race Dave Reason said to me “by that was cold, I’ve not felt that cold in a swim for years, no I mean since last year’s Bala”. Andy Wright Llyn Tegid Swim Secretary July 2008

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Results

© DL / BLDSA 2008