Swim To Bestival 2010
It’s 9.30am Thursday morning and thousands are on a ferry to the IOW for yet another glorious Bestival weekend, but what’s this we see ahead cap’n? Twelve swimmers starting a swim to the island ahead matey that be what…arghhhh.
From 'GAFIRS' Gosport ho 12 intrepid swimmers do go through up to four miles of cold choppy Solent, making their way past Moby Dick, Captain Bird’s Eye and the Nautilus to arrive at Ryde’s West Sands beach between 11.00-13.00 where a welcome party will give blankets, cardigans and hot cocoa (with some sea faring rum).
Money raised will go to each individual’s charity of choice. This year, Simon from Basement Jaxx is among the swimmers making this courageous journey to Bestival - can Simon or any of our audacious swimmers beat the best time of 1 hr 25 mins? We’ll be cheering them on from the Bestival armada as they go.
So, this is a hefty challenge so please dig as deep as you can and support each of the team and if you see them out in the fields get them a pint of Bestivale or a rather charming cocktail from the Black Dahlia.
Here’s the sponsorship pages, raise a glass of cheer as you look through and please give generously towards those charities being supported…
Barclay Bramble (Cancer Research UK)
Guy West (Access Sport)
Lorraine Bow British Heart Foundation
Tadhg White (RNLI Lifeboats, Macmillan Cancer Support, Campaign against Climate Change)
Paul McChrystal (RNLI Lifeboats, Macmillan Cancer Support, Campaign against Climate Change)
Barry Fogarty (RNLI Lifeboats, Macmillan Cancer Support, Campaign against Climate Change)
Simon Ratcliffe (Cancer Research UK)
Patrick Mclennan (Mental Health Foundation)
Phillip Carlin (The Daisy Garland)
Claire Sansome (Cancer Research UK)
Morgan Mackinnon (The One Foundation)
Olly Pemberton (The One Foundation)
UCL Paddlers (Students for Kids International Projects)
Safety boats, Alice the ‘mothership’ (no George Clinton as captain though) and those who control the Solent from Southampton and Portsmouth will be in place for safety of our wonderful swimmers and four kayakers are also making the trip this year to raise money for charity, no capsizing team though - Eskimo rolls to celebrate are allowed!
This couldn’t be done without the support of IYWAC from the Isle of Wight who supply paddlers and kayaks for the event. Mike Acton provides us with safety advice and tidal support. 4Charter, QHM Portsmouth and the councils from IOW and Gosport and all the volunteers also provide invaluable support.
Due to heath and safety considerations, we are legally only allowed to have 12 swimmers for this event and these 12 have already been selected for 2010. However, for 2011 we will be throwing selection open to the public... look out for the competition in the Bestival Bugle onsite newspaper (Friday's edition) to enter and win a coveted spot!
Good luck swim team and thanks to all of you for sponsoring and showing your support!
