Big Ricks Paul collected the award on behalf of everyone in Big Ricks Swim Team..
Paul is pictured here along side The British Heart Foundation Chief Executive
Mr Peter Hollins (5/11/11)
Big Ricks 1st ever Team Swim At The BHF Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim 2008
Ricks Channel Team Part of Big Ricks swim Team in 2011
Ricks Swimmers,Friends and Family @ The BHF Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim 2011
Big Ricks Swimmers at The BHF Heart of England Swim 2011
Long May The Light Shines Bright On Big Ricks Swim Team..
Full story to follow....
We all miss Mark everyday...
everything we do as Big Rick,s Team is dedicated to his Memory
Big Ricks Proud to be Part of the Kellogg`s ASA
Swimtastic Awards At Sheffield,s Ponds Forge Int Sports Center (5/11/11)
(Gary,Keil and Paul)
Swim With Stars . (Award Finalists along side Great Britain Aquatic Squad having a spot of fun before the dinner latter in the day..everyone had a great time )
Swim Done. now time for the Kellogg`s ASA Swimtastic Awards 2011
Our Host for the Evening was former Olympic Bronze Medalist Swimmer Steve Parry...this video is Steve,s opening address (watch very Funny) before the dinner and then awards. Steve did an amazing Job..!
We enjoyed a beautiful dinner with some great company on our table.
Kellogg’s ASA Swimtastic Awards are a national honour set up to reward outstanding non-elite achievements and unsung swimming stars across the country, and for the first time this year they were held Ponds Forge in Sheffield, one of the best aquatics venues in the UK.
Big Ricks were at the swimtastic,s to support Ricks very own Basher ( Paul) who had was nominated for the Fundraiser of the Year award , by fellow ricks swimmer Nick platt ...did he win......?? watch and see
Paul along side Olympic Swimmer Cassie Patten
with the award for Fund Raiser for 2011 ..
The of Fundraising Award was presented to Paul Bates, who has raised over £18,000 for Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation as part of Big Ricks Channel Swim team in 2011 . Paul set up the swim team in 2008 in memory of his friend, Mark Rickhuss, who sadly suffered a heart attack whilst helping his friend to complete a channel swim in 2005. Paul, along with his friends have raised over well over £30,000 for the British Heart Foundation by completing open water swimming events all over the UK and they recently swam the channel in honour of Mark.
Ricks 3 celebrate a win not just for Paul but for everyone in Big Ricks Team
Ricks 3 with the Beautiful and charming Cassie Patten
there was only one song of the night, big ricks danced along with all the other amazing people from the world of swimming...it was an amazing night , Big Ricks were so proud to part of it...the song is Big Gary`s Favorites Reach for the Stars ..By SClub 7.....take in away gaz........
Gary and Keil showing there moves along others guests from our table Liz and Alison, and others winners at the swimtastic,s
Not to be out done by Gary & Kel, Paul decided to grace the dance floor to show off his classy moves and Michael Buble singing voice..!!! Mmmmm never seen a dance clear so quickly .. we all decided Paul might be great sportsman..but his dancing and singing skills suck..!!! sorry basher, the team think you should stick to swimming and leave the team dancing to Big Edge....
The Seabrook Seals Swim Team after a lovely Pier to Pier swim in Bournemouth (30/10/11) (Paul,Ann,Caroline,Emma,Dee and Nicky)
After many months of joking between Ricks and The Seabrook Seals Swim Team..,about whether one day Ricks would man up and finally take up the Seals challenge and swim together, Well when all seemed lost for another year, just as Ricks were packing away their hats , goggles , trunks and bottles of baby oil ( don`t ask.!!) for the winter. , A swim was set up for Sunday (30/10/11) at 9.0am at Boscombe Pier...when finally Ricks would swam with the Seals...!
" The Seabrook Seal mobile "
Okay Ricks had a meeting, and straws were drawn..!! and volunteer was chosen..Paul was the man chosen to undertake the The Seal Challenge..Paul rolled up at Boscombe pier shortly after nine on a wet and cold Sunday morning...he spotted the seals who were already getting change for Acton.. Dee,Caroline,Emma,Nicky,Ann and Beach Walker Ken..all said hi..and told Paul to get a move on, as the plan was to swim from Bournemonth Pier ( 1.5 miles away) back to Boscombe pier...to which Paul asked how do we get there......we use the Seals Mobile off course.. Now, as you know all open water swimmers are a friendly bunch, But as Paul entered the Seals mobile on that short drive down the sea front to Bournemouth pier..he thought this is a bit different from the norm, for starters how many times do you meet 5 ladies for the 1st time and within 5 minutes your in your trunks along side the girls in there costumes and your in Seal Mobile traveling to swim a couple of miles in the sea..!! Crazy..lol we got dropped of a short walk from the pier as we slowly made our way down to sea..the Seals decided it was time to do their best Gene Kelly impression of singing in the Rain...check the video above to hear the 1st time on national blog the Seals " Extraordinary Rendition " of the Seabrook SealTheme Tune....i,m thinking Britain Got Talent for the seals..!! i have to laugh even now...as i think about seeing the faces the passers by on the beach front all dressed in there winter clothes as girls walked passed in just swimming costumers singing at the top of their voices, along with and Ann rolling in the sand..!!! Crazy...;-))
A brief meeting before the off to make sure someone of good character,
trustworthy had in his secure possession Dee keys..Ken was chosen .!!
Swim Time..Its almost November ,its freezing cold, it blowing a storm
and we are going swimming..!
Welcome To The World Of The Seabrook Seals Swim Team....crazy all of them ..!! ;-)))
Well the swim went Great, the sea was lovely and warm and the 9ft waves and dodging the surfers was only a small problem...lol .it was said after by one of seals , it was like swimming in a tumble dryer...but it really was great fun ..Crazy...!!!
The Seabrook Seals
The seals are new (ish) open water swim team formed by Dee Seabrook,
Ricks have no doubt the Seals are going to make a massive impact on open water swimming in the years to come, their fun and enthusiasm for all things swimming really is infectious..and big ricks are proud to be there friends.. It Can only be one tune for this weeks Blog, after watching Ann from Seabrook Seals Laughing, singing and rolling about on the beach Sunday morning..!! it had to be the The Amazing Adele and Rolling in the deep...!
Big Ricks Did a few cheeky Sea swims over the October school half term, and we thought we would a do a few little Video,s show other open swimmers like ourselves where in Dorset you can swim.!! Branksome Beach was a beautiful place to swim, its about 2 miles to swim in to Bournemouth for here...nice safe place to swim.. and a bonus there are loads of coffee bars on the seafront for a warm up coffee and piece of cake after..
Sandbanks Harbour Nr Poole
Sandbanks is a beautiful part of Dorset, you will find it in between Poole and Bournemouth , The Sea is not and long one, (unless you want to swim onto Brownsea island ) but its such a sight to see....it rude not to jump in and have fast dip. just be warned keep an eye out for the windsurfers .!!;-))
Swanage Bay
The Beautiful Dorset town of Swanage is a perfect place to swim and train, really safe..hardly any boats to speak of to look out for...its about a mile swim to go from the pier to the white cliffs opposite ...but its easy to do longer or shorter swims if you want ..and again there are loads of places to eat and drink after...;-)
The Captain and Alex @ The Swan on Sunday.(23/10/11)
Looking on the bright side of things now the COLD swim is over.!!
(you will see what we by cold at the end of the Blog.!)
October is has been a funny old month...it started off so well., The 6 hr test swim at Swan Pool on the 2nd October was blessed with amazing weather and even more amazing water temperatures 62..
6 swimmers undertook the 6hrs test and all completed the challenge, Richard ,Gary and Paul from Ricks all came down to lend their support to swimmers by swimming an hour or so with them to try and keep them company..How ever..some of Ricks team were a massive let down...Super chest and The Gimp always ..but not normally these 3....!!!
Okay...this is the official Results from the 6hr Test Swim...as you can see it was great swimming by the guys and girls who got up early and started and ALL finished the swim...Not so good where Ricks 3..Miss Sloppy Alsop, Mr Chunky Boy Cash and maybe the worst of all 2013 solo swimmer Mr Burford White...!!! Who all went out partying instead of swimming? The mighty Mr Earthquake who was not happy...!
The Don & Basher
Survivalifeguard Channel Swimming Club
Channel Cup 2011
The Badger.. Survivalifeguard Channel Swimming Club Channel Cup 2011 Sunday 16th was started of with a few pictures with the Survivalifeguard channel cup..; Big Ricks are very proud to be members of the Survivalifeguard channel club... The Club is run by Dan, Richard, and Jeremy...who apart from giving great advice about all things to do with open water and channel swimming, also give advice and teach about all things to with Life saving... It’s due to their hard work that swimming at Swan Pool is always done to highest safety standards ...,
The Survivalifeguard Channel Club
Pictured from L to R. Dan,Richard and Jeremy, and Paul Watson.. Paul also won the channel Cup, but even better Paul Won The John Rickhuss Cup. It was sad the whole team could not have been here for the pictures, but apart from Rob who was away playing Polo, The rest where nowhere to been seen..., anyway once that was over Paul and Richard went of to do a couple of miles swim in the still warm water ( 13 degrees)...but Dan had other plans for Gary....
As you can see from the Video above, Gary along with Dan, had to do his duty in the Life Boat...Its part of the safety at Swan Pool, especially when training in the winter months, everyone who wants to swim at the swan has to have some knowledge of some life saving..
The Safety Boat being man handled into the Swan (23/10/11)..
it always has to in the water and maned before any swimming can take place...
Rob Looking a bit nervous..he has just found out the water temperature is 9 degrees
Sooner or later the water was going to get cold. It’s almost November after all....we have been spoiled this yr, the first few weekends in October have felt more like summer and the water temp felt the same...But not this week....the water temperature has dropped 4 degrees in a week..!!As you can see from the Video above...Rob was not his normal Jump straight in and swims self....
But Rob , along with Richard and Paul and the regular nutters at the Swan did get in . God was it cold...Rich and Paul managed a lap, but Rob decided it was not for him today and quickly got out...and as usually once out he had some Cashy words of wisdom to share.”” If You Don`t Feel Right...You Get Out”” .
Rob earned praise from Dan...There is No shame for the Captain here- you have to be honest with yourself at the start of every swim so that you don't put others in danger having to rescue you. Well done Rob..!!
Paul and Rob can laugh now the swim is over..!!
okay who on for next week then....????
Big Ricks Paul is Doing a 2 Way Aspire Channel Swim...
Paul has Reached France..., and is now will on his back to England
he has now done over 1700 Lengths in 4 weeks. (The Channel is 1416 Lengths in a 25m pool...)
We wish him well...it will be good practise for when Ricks Channel Starts for Real in November..
Aspire help and support people who have spinal Cord Injuries Go on have a go, it will get you fit, and you will have fun telling your friends you are swimming the channel...And the best part... As result of your hard work...You will have helped others have a better Life... www.aspirechannelswim.co.uk .
OK...... SO What if the water going to be minus 9 !!! So What if Super Chest and The Gimp and Sloppy has given up Months ago.!!! , So what if you can`t feel your hands and feet for a week..!!So What if you if you get sickness and uncontrollable diarrhea !!,So What if your hair and body turn blue and green from the Algae ..!!! We are open Water Swimmers and We love it..!!!! but as your swimming , just as your hands and feet are turning blue and your thinking what the hell am i doing... Why not just give a whistle and things will turn out for the best.!!( if your lips are not froze)
A massive thank you to Miranda at Cancer Research UK for inviting Ricks to join fellow Fundraisers at The University of Birmingham for Thank You Event & Cancer Lab Tour last weekend. Mr and Mrs Super( Daz and Kaz !) Went along for Ricks and had great time. Ricks, as part of the our channel fundraising efforts donated some of the money raised to CR U.K. thus far that amounts to £ 4,350.50. A massive thank you to everyone who sponsored us with the channel swim, the final overall totally including the British Heart Foundation denotation is not yet known, but put it this way its just unbelievable. Rx
The Beautiful Swan Pool..
Big Ricks Paul entering the Swan at 6.45 on Monday night (26/9/11)
its was a chilly 14, but what a beautiful evening for a swim.. You can also just about see Martin and Rob at the top of the picture
Its been a funny old week or so, especially at Swan Pool , and especially for one member of the Team in particular , Big Edge...GARY.!!, Mm The Edge never ever was the best at getting into the water, be it in the lake, in the sea or for that matter a nice warm Pool.....Gaz likes to take his time, a long time, A VERY long time.!!!...he needs to have everything in perfect working order before he even thinks about leaving the house, let alone before entering any chilly water..but this week we have seen Gary at his very BEST
Mr Edge again thinking about whether or not to enter the water or in this case the sea in Dover back in July...we think that was a 20 minute ponder.! fast for gaz
Big Edge again having a ponder and thinking about whether or not to enter the sea on our Channel Swim Dover in July...
Gary always likes to ponder at the waters edge, with the water half way up his legs., he likes to think, take everything in..normally the abuse from his team mates to get in, but he is not a man to be rushed ( ask Mrs Edge.!!) he waits for 5 minutes for as along 25 minutes but reluctantly he always gets in, and when he`s in Gary is as good as anyone.. we will leave the rest of what happen this week to The Burf..Martin..who very kindly did a video to describe the shamefully and shocking event that happen last Wednesday evening ;-))(21/9/11) , this was only 2 days after the same thing happened..that time it was dirty goggles that were blamed for a none enter...Mm a Big ricks for-fit is coming young Mr Edges way...
So Worried is big ricks spiritual Leader at Swan Pool The Mighty Dan Earthquake .That the great man needed to voice his concerns to the team, but mainly at Ricks wimps Daz "Super Camp" , Stu "The Gimp and off course The Mighty Edge..for their lack of appearances and many excuses not to be at the lake and in Gary's to get in the lake.. This story now has a new twist in the tale....Read to the end of this blog at see..!!!!
Winter Training is starting of slowly at the moment,
this is martin and rob in the water and Paul (doing at a Gary) waiting to get
in at the warm looking swan on Monday night (26/9/11
The Darks comes it all to fast now, Paul rob and martin
along with other channel swimmers are still out their at 7.45 on 21/9/11...
We thought it was time to do some Big Ricks swimmers profiles..and the first up is Rob " Chunky Monkey" Cash or as he is better known these days The Capitan.. Rob has great year getting back into open water swimming, he has given the team many memoirs of his swimming over the yr for sure,Rob has also done just amazing things to raise thousands of pounds on his own for Big Ricks and for both BHF and Cancer Research UK .. Top effort Young Rob
Ricks team swam the channel in memory of their Friend Mark Richuss and in aid of Cancer Research UK and The British Heart Foundation . there are still a few weeks to donate should you wish to. We hope you have enjoyed our journey over the last 9 months.. If you still wish to Support us in anyway, THEN YOU STILL CAN , just by clicking link below it will take you to our Virgin Just Giving Page where you can Donate ,
Session this week or so...loads and everywhere..!! Swan Pool @ Sandwell Valley (11/12/14/18/1921/25/26/28 of Sept) Averaging between 3 and 6 laps ( 800m approx each lap ) Walsall Gala Baths 33m pool (12/15/19/22/25 Sept) Averaging 4 to 5k per session Perry Beaches Pool 25m (14/18/21/25/28 Sept) 3 to 4k a session drill and sprint work David Lloyd Gym Pool 25m (13/16/17/20/25/27) 3 to 4k..mainly speed and tempo work
Click on the Video and hear in BIg Ricks Martins own words "The Edge is Back. Back on the Edge" Top effort by the Big Man last night at the Swan ( 29/9/11 ).. Gary made a welcome return to the lake last evening, having put up with some cruel stick of team mates for running a mile the past to weeks, gaz showed us all last night that the Edge Is Back...!!!
The Edge is Back..and Smiling last night at Swan Pool (28/9/11)
who knows what other Big Ricks swimmers we might see return this weekend.?? maybe Super Camp.?? maybe The Gimp ?? ?
Martin and Paul having a chat before Wednesday nights swim (28/9/11)
Goodbye Summer of 2011 Its one to remember for sure
