The Cumbrae Blog

Cross Channel Charity Swim

Picture shows swimmers aboard  taxi to Cumbrae for the start

The annual cross channel charity swimming event organised by the Gillian Saltire Appeal was a great success on Saturday with a record time of 31 minutes. It was a super day with only about 10 knots of breeze from the WSW which was ideal to help the swimmers on their way. The sun encouraged a great group of supporters on the Largs Sailing Club slipway where the swimmers emerged triumphantly on completion of their channel swim.

Sportscotland’s National Centre Cumbrae, which has been pleased to have been previously involved with the event,  this year  again provided safety craft and expertise to support this challenging 1.5 mile swim. Starting  from the slipway at the National Centre participants swam across the channel  to Largs Sailing club. This year it was undertaken by 41 people and  wonderfully all 41 swimmers completed the distance in less than the 2 hour time period allocated. It is certainly a challenge that puts many of the participants out of their comfort zone tackling uncertainties such as cold water, deep water – up to 80m’s, jelly fish, salt and dare we mention the earlier sightings of sharks in July!

This event raises money to maintain an apartment in Largs for those fighting cancer. It is for people to use as a holiday base and come to the seaside and enjoy the coast. It is greatly supported by the community to ensure that this accommodation is there for the future.

Perhaps it could be you next year – be inspired and start training now and pledge your support to a growing event with a great vision.
 

By David