The Rest of The Open Water Swims off 2013

Coniston Water , Lake district national park

now this is fabulous picture from a Fabulous swim The Chillswim, Coniston end to end event in September...Ricks Swimmers Julie, Anji and Paul took Part in the 5.25 miles event....roll on 2014..
http://www.chillswim.com/

(this beautiful pictures was taken by Jacqui Scot )

short video of the day done by chillswims Colin and Steph 
well done both are organizing a superb event. 

Lets get this 5.25 miles party started..
Coniston End to End..
roll on 2014..
http://www.chillswim.com/

The Classic OSS River Dart 10k
Ricks Swimmers Katy and Kirsten took part  The classic Outdoor Swimming Society Dart 1OK...its one off theee best Wild open water swims in the country.. 

Both ladies said they loved the event , atmosphere on the day was fabulous 

 (14/9/13)
for more info about the Great OSS

 http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/

we love this Picture  of  Dart 1OK , shows why its such a great and enjoyable event to take part in..book early if you want to swim in 2014

 (Photographer- Anna Barclay)

all smiles before the start of the Dart 10k
 Kirsten and Katy 

British Gas # SwimBritain

Ricks Swims Claire and Jennifer took part in The British Gas  SwimBritain events , which took place in one open water location and ten pools across the nation.

Claire took part in the Open water event at stunning lake at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, Jennifer was joined by her family to take part in the swim Britain Relay

At Coventry’s  international  50m Pool..well done ladies ..

http://www.swimbritain.co.uk/latest/

Clare picture to the right of open water swimming world champion Keri-Anne Payne

and the her team mates from the swim Britain open water relay event at Blenheim Palace

Jenny pictured with husband Jason and her 2 boys Max and Thomas
along with Olympic superstar Ellie Simmonds
after completing the Swim Britain event in Coventry 

 RLSS POOLE LIFEGAURD

Brownsea Island Swim  

Ricks swimmer Basher took part along with 253 swimmers
at the amazing 6.2k  Brownsea island swim in Poole Harbour ,Dorset 

Fantastic Location! - Fantastic Weather! - Fantastic Conditions! - Fantastic Results!

The Seabrook Seals Swim Team Easter Dip
Ricks Paul joined up with the Seals team and other swimmers from around the uk
to take to the sea in Bournemouth for the Annual Seals Easter Dip, 
it was still March.
the sea was freezing, 6 degrees at best ....
of the swimmers swimming this morning 18 went on to swim the English channel in 2013..how good is that...;-))

this is the last of the summer memories of swims, its been an amazing summer..
Winter swimming has already started ..
blogs and pictures to come..
Ricks..  

(B.L.D.S.A.) Windermere Championships 2013

The British Long Distance Swimming Association

Windermere 1 way championship event 31/8/13

all 10.5 miles of it ...

The View from Fell foot at 7am on Saturday morning
weather forecast for the day was a little unsettled
rain, wind and hot sunshine was expected ...it was going to a challenging day
for 30 brave swimmers who had gained enter to the famous event..
and somehow Ricks Paul was one of them ..

The Course ..

Windermere end to end 
all 10.5 miles of it

 The LADIES

THE GENTS 

The Start Point..
Fell Foot...

a few miles in..
wind starts to get up..
Pete kelly and his crew..

one the Brave Breast stoker swimmers  on the
day Phil and  Mark

Swimming Windermere is an amazing experience,
but just keep an eye out for the odd ferry and sailing boat..;-))

just 4hrs  the start the 1st swimmers come in to sight
towards the finish at Waterhead

Compare for the day was Steve Bedford..
Steve did great job, made the event even more fun , as he
gave back ground on all swimmers as they approached the finished..
felt very X-factor..  

1st in and Men`s champion was the amazing swimming machine
James Leitch ( pictured here with his support crew )
James did the 10.5 miles in 4hrs 12.18
if it had not been for the poor weather for the last half of the race ,
 it was sure James would have broken or been very close to breaking the event record . 

3rd to finish overall , the Ladies champion was the amazing swimmer 
Rebecca Lewis  
Becky  did the 10.5 miles in 4hrs 32.25

as for Ricks Basher..
Paul was 5th to finish over all , and 3rd in the men`s Race
in a creditable 5hrs06.24
Bashers words after...""That was Tough"" 

For us swimmers, no swim like this would be possible with out support ,
Paul,is pictured here with the lovely and charming Sue Garriock, 
who very kindly offered to be Paul,s Kayak support for the swim ..
Sue did a superb job , plotting a great course for Paul to complete the swim,.  

Ricks short report on the windermere swim
(simply click arrow in picture above to hear )

as with all the BLDSA events..
without the volunteers the races would take place,
    top effort by everyone today. from timekeepers to the safety crew..
big thanks from all the swimmers 

 Pete all smile at the finish.

we think is Guy Moar.
having 50 winks after his great swim.. 

The final results..
( ones missing Pete Kelly 8hrs.30.50 & Phil Yorke 8hrs 36.22)  

Short Video of the final swimmer finishing Windermere 2013
Phil (pictured below ) coming into waterhead 8hrs 36 after leaving fell foot..
doing breaststroke..amazing swim
(simply click arrow in picture above to hear )

the final swimmer was Phil..who did windermere
breaststroke in an amazing time of 8hrs 36.22
what we loved about this event , was no swimmer went home ,
everyone stopped and supported every swimmer home,
when phil swam into sight , a big crowd ( not only swimmers , but visiting tourists to winderemere ) had gathered to chill Phil into the finish on the beach on Waterhead.

Dee.s doing her welcoming and thank you speech at the championship  dinner & presentation after the swim.
  the  (B.L.D.S.A.) Windermere Championships 2013..
.its was great way to end great day..
(simply click arrow in picture above to hear Dee  )

 Men`s champion was the amazing swimming machine
James Leitch

the Ladies champion was the amazing swimmer 
Rebecca Lewis 

Paul and Sue..
for finihsing 3rd in the Men`s championship event ,
basher was awarded the Meritous Throphy  

Time to leave Windermere.
it had been an amazing day spent with amazing people..
from start to finish this is a swim i will remember for ever,.Paul 

The British Long Distance Swimming Association (B.L.D.S.A.) 

Founded in 1956.Run by a group of enthusiastic volunteers .

SEE YOU IN 2014

http://www.bldsa.org.uk/

short Video highlights of the day,

accompanied by a bit of Frank..

lets take it nice and easy...

which is good advice  when trying to swim Windermere... 

(simply click arrow in picture above to let frank take it away  )

Swim the Costa Brava 2013

Ricks Basher..swimming the Costa Brava
with Technical Director at Culturesport365  Danial Race
the guys are swimming the test 6K race "Swim The Costa Brava "
in Montgo Bay in  L'Escala,Spain

pictures tell the story of a fabulous day swimming the Costa Brava..some thoughts to come.