Pier2Pier 2025
Congratulations to all the swimmers who took part in the 71st Pier2Pier Sea Swim Isle of Wight 2025. See results and photos….
The sun was shining and the wind blowing in the right direction on Saturday 9th August, enabling Isle of Wight Marlins Swim Club to hold the Pier2Pier Sea Swim from Sandown Pier to the site of the old Shanklin Pier.
At 2pm 174 swimmers, 87 of these from the Island, entered the water and swam across the 1.8 miles of the Bay. The fastest male swimmer was Benjamin van De Helstraete (Seaclose S.C) in 34:52 minutes and the fastest lady was Nikki Chapman (Black Lion SC) in 36:39 minutes. Benjamin was the fastest Island Male and Rosie Brooman (Seaclose S.C) the fastest Island Lady in 40:11. As the rest of the swimmers came up the beach to the finish line there were plenty of smiles of success, relief. Huge congratulations to everyone!
There was a large crowd to see the start and the finish, where they were entertained by FatSamba as the swimmers came in. The Trophies were presented by Chamber of Commerce CEO and Pier2Pier swimmer – Rob Johnson.
We are so grateful to everyone who volunteered to help with the swim – both on land and at sea. Making sure we knew just who entered the water at Sandown and that all 174 swimmers arrived safely at Shanklin requires a lot of people to work together. Every year the crew of the Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat coordinate the flotilla of safety craft and private kayakers who accompany the swimmers. This year they were supported by Ryde Inshore Rescue and Bembridge RNLI Lifeboat. Ryde Beach Lifeguards once again played a vital role in guiding the swimmers to Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club who provided them with hot soup and other refreshments. Isle of Wight Marlins Swim Club is able to contribute to the fundraising of all these organisations from the swimmers’ entry fees.
Date for your diary: The 72nd Swim will take place on Saturday 18th July 2026.
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Trophy winners:
Fastest male 15-17 years: No entries
Fastest female 15-17 years: Isobel Muncaster
Fastest man: Benjamin van de Helstraete
Fastest lady: Nikki Chapman
Fastest Island man: Benjamin van de Helstraete
Fastest Island lady: Rosie Brooman
Fastest breaststroker: Michelle Martin
Generation trophy: Team VDH
Fastest lady 21-29 years: No entries
Fastest lady 30-39 years: Alice Gatland
Fastest lady 40-49 years: Laura Wilcox
Fastest lady 50-64 years: Nikki Chapman
Fastest lady 65+ years: Lindsey Shenton
Wetsuit overall female: Elizabeth O’Connor
Fastest man 18-20 years: Benjamin van de Helstraete
Fastest man 21-29 years: Oliver Foster
Fastest man 30-39 years: John Dixon
Fastest man 40-49 years: Trent Eriksson
Fastest man 50-64 years: Russall Cooper
Fastest man 65+ years: Stephen Baker
Wetsuit overall male: Mik Onions
Fastest team of 4 swimmers: Seaclose SC
Most senior female finisher: Angie Stant
Most senior male finisher: Martin Phillips
Photos courtesy of: Emma Travis and Dave Bedding
