2009 Sandown to Shanklin Sea Swim on Sunday 2nd August 2009
Results for this year's swim are now available for download here.
The 57th Sandown to Shanklin swim organised by the Isle of Wight Marlins Swim Club as part of Shanklin Regatta took place on 2nd August. The main organisers were Gordon Osborne and Nancy Godwin assisted by a team from the club and local residents.
109 swimmers took to the water from the beach immediately south of Sandown pier in near perfect conditions. To avoid congestion at the first turning mark, the men started 2 minutes ahead of the ladies.
The first swimmer to complete the 1¾ mile course and land at Shanklin Rowing club, near where the old Shanklin Pier used to stand was Peter Dixon of Bethnal Green Sharks swimming club in a time of 32mins 21secs and the first lady was Bridget Bewick of Maidenhead Masters swimming club who crossed the line in a time of 36mins 35secs.
The second lady to finish was Amy Rickards in a time of 38mins 05secs and Amy was awarded the cup for the winning Island Lady.
The first Island man to finish was Gary Kurth in a time of 37mins 18secs.
The oldest competitor taking part was Tom Rooney, aged 81 of the Isle of Wight Marlins Swim Club and he finished in a time of 56mins 20secs.
The 109th and last swimmer safely made the finish line in 1hour 16mins 49secs. On finishing all swimmers were given hot soup, a bread roll and a Mini Mars bar.
The swim was supported by Sandown Lifeboat and Ryde Inshore Rescue who acted as control boats; the latter deputising for Sandown Lifeboat who had a call out from HMCG to attend a broken down motor boat at Bembridge just as the swim was starting. In addition Shanklin Deep Sea Angling Club provided 8 boats and close swimmer support was provided by 29 local Kayakers led by Adrian Brown. The British Red Cross were in attendance in case medical assistance was required but their services were not required.
Next years Sandown to Shanklin swim will be on 8th August 2010