Pier2Pier 2024

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Congratulations to all the swimmers who took part in the 70th Pier2Pier Swim Isle of Wight 2024. See full report and results…

The weather turned in the favour of the IOW Marlins Masters Swim Club on Saturday 20th July enabling them to hold the 70th Pier2Pier Sea Swim Challenge from Sandown Pier to the site of the old Shanklin Pier.

At Noon 157 swimmers, with over 50 from the Island, entered the water and swam across the 1.8miles of the Bay. The fastest male swimmer was Benjamin van De Helstraete (Seaclose S.C) in 32.50 minutes and the fastest lady was Kitty Craig in 35.08 minutes. In between these two were the 15-17yr Juniors with Harry Shepherd 33.55 just holding off Isobel Muncaster 34.15 (both Seaclose S.C). Benjamin was the fastest Island Male and Abigail Lacey (Seaclose S.C) the fastest Island Lady in 37.21. As the rest of the swimmers came up the beach to the finish line there were plenty of smiles of success, relief, ‘I did it!’, and a few signs of exhaustion etched on some faces.

Isle of Wight swimming legend, 86yrs old Jenny Ball (Ryde S.C.), finished in a time of 1.03.27. 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 the Island’s European and British 200m Butterfly Down Syndrome swimming Champion, Zac Lacey.

The Isle of Wight Marlins Swimming Club would like to thank those without whose assistance and co-operation would make this very popular, and growing, Island event impossible to hold. Including, Sandown/Shanklin Independent Lifeboat, Ryde Inshore Independent Lifeboat, Shanklin Deep Sea Fishermen, Private kayakers who act as the Safety Craft with the swimmers, Ryde Beach Lifeguards, Shanklin Rowing Club, IOW Council Parking Services, and all the helpers that made this a super, smooth event. The 71st Swim will take place on the 9th of August 2025.

Trophy winners:

Fastest male 15-17 years: Harry Sheppard

Fastest female 15-17 years: Isobel Muncaster

Fastest man: Benjamin van de Helstraete

Fastest lady: Kitty Craig

Fastest Island man: Benjamin van de Helstraete

Fastest Island lady: Abigail Lacey

Fastest breastroker: Donna Lopez

Generation trophy: The Binghams

Fastest lady 21-29 years: Abigail Lacey

Fastest lady 30-39 years: Rosie Brooman

Fastest lady 40-49 years: Kitty Craig

Fastest lady 50-64 years: Michelle Laverick

Fastest lady 65+ years: Eileen Remediox

Wetsuit overall female: Kaylee Gauntlett

Fastest man 18-20 years: Benjamin van de Helstraete

Fastest man 21-29 years: Alistair Bingham

Fastest man 30-39 years: Dave Sweet

Fastest man 40-49 years: Gary Kurth

Fastest man 50-64 years: Terry Wright

Fastest man 65+ years: Jamie Bingham

Wetsuit overall male: Daniel Bunn

Fastest team of 4 swimmers: Seaclose SC

Most senior finisher: Jenny Ball

See the full results here.

Photos courtesy of: Annie Elliott and Pete Clark