Thame swimmers head for the open water

THAME Swimming Club’s Henry Bell’s latest success in the open water, came on Sunday (July 12) when he came second in the Elite Category at the Padstow-Rock swim. He swam just under a mile in 15.5 minutes, a staggering five minutes faster than last year.

Henry Bell

The Padstock-Rock swim is an annual charity swim for Marie Curie and is a one mile swim across the Camel Estuary.

At the same time, Thame’s coach, Ian Keys and his wife Emma, helped a keen group of Thame Swimming Club swimmers get used to the Open Water experience, at the Oxford Wakeboard & Ski Club, near Berinsfield, Oxford.

Two members of Thame Swimming club, Rebecca and Michele were there and described the event. “It was a bit overcast at 8.15am when the squad met at lakeside, but at least it wasn’t raining! Ian & Emma managed to find some wetsuits to fit the crew, ran them through some safety guidelines, then it was time to get used to the water, which apparently wasn’t that cold – although it didn’t look particularly warm from where the parents were standing!

“The seven swimmers, Oscar North, Maya Camp, Lucy Day, Caitlin Shipley, Laura Cresswell, and Lucy & Harry Block swam a 300 metre circuit under the guidance of their coaches, repeating this three times, which is no mean feat for their first time on an Open Water Swim, and Harry even went back for another cheeky circuit at the end!

“The swimmers then took to a high swing at the edge of the lake where they had great fun hurtling into the water, followed by a warming sauna, bacon buttie and hot chocolate.

“A fantastic morning and introduction to Open Water Swimming, which many are keen to try again.

“Many thanks to Ian and Emma for giving up their time.”

SOURCE: Contributed by Rebecca and Michele