2017 – Pier to Pier swim
Dramatic finish to the 65th IOW pier to pier swim race
Congratulations to everyone who took part in the 2017 Pier to Pier Swim.
There was a dramatic finish to the swim on Saturday 12th August when, after a swim of 1.8 kms across the Sandown/Shanklin Bay, 4 swimmers turned together at the last buoy, which was a further 200 mtrs from the shore and the finish line.
The winner was Alistair Bingham from Maidenhead Marlins in a time of 31.36 minutes. He was very closely followed by David Stannard from Reading SC in 31.43 mins. 3rd was Aiden Pierce of Seaclose IOW SC in 31.48 mins and 4th Russall Cooper, unattached, in 31.49 mins.
The fastest lady was Katie Shepherd from Trinity SC in 37.09 mins
The fastest IOW Male was Aiden Pierce of Seaclose IOW CS in 31.48 mins
The fastest IOW lady was Lindsey Shenton of IOW Marlins Masters SC in 38.03 mins
The fastest Breaststroke swimmer was Paul Lewis of South London SC in 40.56 mins
The most senior finisher was Daphne Bell aged 77 from South London SC in 53.15 mins.
After helping at last year’s event and never having swum competitively in the sea or pool, Jo Cooper (aged 70) decided she wanted to do the swim and she successfully completed the course in 57.17 mins.
Bob Cooper Chairman of the IOW Marlins and Safety Officer for the swim said, ‘Yet again we were blessed with perfect weather and sea conditions and the 76 swimmers all had good swims. On behalf of the organisers I wish to thank most sincerely the Kayakers and Canoeists, the Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat and the Ryde Inshore Rescue craft crews, the Shanklin Deep Sea Fishermen for the aquatic assistance in making sure there was the required safety cover, without which we could not hold the swim. Most importantly I would like to thank the members of the Shanklin-Sandown Rowing Club for the use of their premises to enable our administration of the results and presentation to be done in comfort, for the use of their facilities for the swimmers to get showered and changed and for supplying the soups and rolls that help the swimmers restore their vital parts after such exertions.’
Proceeds, after club expenses, are distributed to those organisations who help us present the swim.
Looking at the tides for next year the 2018 66th IOW Pier to Pier Swim will take place on Saturday 11th August at Noon. Full details will be published here – watch this space.
