Over the last couple of weekends, the Guernsey Swimming Club, which turns 130 years old in August, held the first two of its five Bay Swims. This year sponsored by Louvre Group.
On Sunday 19th June 38 swimmers checked in and were braving the slightly choppy waters and rain to swim from Pembroke to L’Ancresse. 35 swimmers completed the 800 metre swim that saw a battle between three competitors for first place. Coming in first was Callum Penney, age 18, in a time of 10 minutes 33 seconds, closely behind was his older brother Kevin, 22, a mere 2 seconds behind. Channel swimmer, Becky Simmons finished in 3rd place with a time of 10 minutes and 46 seconds, after recently recovering from an elbow injury.
Ragnheidur Valgardsdottir was on holiday from her home in Iceland and became the Guernsey Swimming Club’s guest swimmer for this swim. Back home, Valgardsdottir is an avid open water swimmer and found the swim ‘quite warm’ compared to swims in sometimes eight-degree waters. All thirty-five swimmers completed the course in less than 21 minutes.
44 swimmers attended the Rousse to Amarreurs Bay Swim on Sunday 26th June. Conditions had improved for this 750 metre swim and the sea temperature had risen to 14 degrees. Swimmers ranged in age from 11 to 75 years old.
The Penney brothers battled it out again at the start, with Kevin pulling away and this time topping the leaderboard in a time of 10 minutes and 27 seconds. Callum came in second with a time of 10 minutes and 41 seconds. Nationals’ swimmer, Laura Le Cras, 13, scooped 3rd place in 10 minutes and 55 seconds with Simmons coming in 4th with 11 minutes and 2 seconds. The youngest swimmer, Luke Le Cras, aged 11, completed the swim in 16 minutes and 26 seconds.
Julie Taylor had a meritorious swim, having only just recently concurred her fear of water. Taylor feared the element so much that she was unable to park her car on any piers or anywhere near water. She completed the Rousse Bay Swim in 24 minutes and 6 seconds.
Guernsey Swimming Club director Jo Norman said ‘these swims are a huge part of the history of the club and it is great to see so many of our club swimmers taking part’.
The Bay Swims date back to when the club was running out of La Vallette Bathing Pools and have run a series every year since.
The Guernsey Swimming Club would like to openly thank Louvre Group for their support on their Bay Swims and also the volunteers that turn up to help guard the swimmers across the water.
