Pier2Pier 2026
Saturday 1st August – results…..
Saturday 1st August proved to be an excellent day for the annual Pier2Pier sea swim. Sunny skies and a water temperature of a surprising 21 degrees set the scene for 176 swimmers (97 women and 79 men) to race into the sea by Sandown Pier and swim 1.8 miles to the finish on the beach outside Shanklin Rowing Club.
It proved to be quite a challenging swim for many, especially those swimmers who were attempting their first open water swim. The wind picked up just before the race started and the sea became quite choppy. However, all, bar two swimmers, completed the race, and many reported that they loved the challenge (one swimmer said she was sorry to see the finish line!)
Results:
- Fastest Breastroke lady: Michelle Marting, Seaclose SC – 40:27
- Fastest Breastroke man: Mark Sayers – 1:00:25
- Fastest man: Benjamin Van Der Helstraete, Seaclose SC – 32:46
- Fastest lady: Isobel Muncaster, Seaclose SC – 36:03
- Fastest Island man: Benjamin Van Der Helstraete, Seaclose SC – 32:46
- Fastest Island lady: Isobel Muncaster, Seaclose SC – 36:03
- Fastest lady 18-29 yrs: Isobel Muncaster, Seaclose SC – 36:03
- Fastest man 18-29 yrs: Benjamin Van Der Helstraete, Seaclose SC – 32:46
- Fastest lady 30-39 yrs: Charlotte Dunford, Seaclose SC – 43:13 and Lizzi Elton-Walters, Wight Tri – 43:13
- Fastest man 30-39 yrs: Andy Teague – 41:27
- Fastest lady 40-49 yrs: Heather Massey, Havant & Waterloo – 39:42
- Fastest man 40-49 yrs: Gary Kurth, Seaclose SC – 33:12
- Fastest lady 50-59 yrs: Trish Ellam-Speed, Havant & Waterloo – 40:13
- Fastest man 50-59 yrs: Russall Cooper, Seaclose SC – 33:54
- Fastest lady 60-69 yrs: Clare Griffin, West Wight SC – 40:37
- Fastest man 60-69 yrs: Matthew Cunio, Wells SC – 37:23
- Fastest lady 70+ yrs: Jeanni Farquharson-Roberts, Shack Sharks – 49:11
- Fastest man 70+ yrs: Duncan Heenan, IW Marlins – 43:40
- Fastest overall lady, wetsuit: Kaylee Gauntlett, Wight Tri – 38:59
- Fastest overall man, wetsuit: Matthew Sussmes, Ryde SC – 32:24
- Fastest team of 4: Seaclose SC – 01:44:46
- Fastest generation of 2: Team Muncaster – 01:14:51
- Most senior finisher: Jenny Ball, IW Marlins – 59:41
Island swimmers had a great day, taking 9 out of the top 10 finishing places, with Seaclose SC taking 6 of these, and Marlins taking 2.
The youngest swimmer Tilly Everett, aged 16, came 9th overall, and finished in an impressive 37:03 minutes. And, at the other end, the oldest swimmer, Jenny Ball, aged 88, completed the swim in 59:41 minutes – two great achievements!
Other notable results include Matthew Sussmes, from Ryde SC representing the 60+ age group, who magnificently finished 3rd place overall (33:24).
Nick Thornton, despite being totally deaf, partially sighted and autistic, completed the whole swim with one-to-one support in the kayak on the shore. An inspirational achievement.
This year’s guest of honour was Natasha Lambert BEM. Natasha is a multi award-winning disabled sailor and adventurer. She was born with quadraplegic cerebral palsy, but has achieved feats which most people would have considered impossible; from sailing the Atlantic and the seas of Britain to scaling mountains – read her profile on https://missisle.com/profile/. Together with her father Gary and sister Rachel she presented the prizes to the winners of all swim categories. An inspiration end to a very successful day
Marlins Swim Club extends a massive thank you to the 70 volunteers who gave up their time to support this event both on the sea and on the shore. The event couldn’t run without your support. Thanks are also due to the sponsors Harwood Garage and to Sandown Lifeboat station, Shanklin Rowing Club, Ryde inshore lifeboat, Ryde Lifeguards, and First Aider Bob Gontar of Wight Responders.
