Wednesday 24 September 2008

In the Swim at Lake Windermere


Our esteemed Sales & Marketing Director Clive Siddall – known for his Action Man exploits – took part in the inaugural Great North Swim on Saturday 13th September, when Lake Windermere - England's largest natural lake – was the perfect setting for the UK’s very first mass participation open water swim event.

Over 1700 swimmers of all abilities including club and competitive participants, fun and charity swimmers took up the challenge of a specially designed one-mile course originally inspired by the BUPA Great North Run.

“Although I must admit I needed help to get into my new wetsuit, the event was great fun, though drinking half a pint of Windermere in the first two minutes was a weird experience,” said Clive – who completed the swim a very creditable 865th out of 1700, or about half way, which was his target. “I have been accused of being marginally insane, but in reality, this was great preparation for triathlon events I’d like to try in the near future.”

The Great North Swim is the latest event to be launched as part of Take To The Streets – a national activity programme designed to fight spiralling inactivity and obesity rates and raise huge amounts of money for charity in the process.

Team GB’s David Davies splashed to victory in the swim, ahead of Olympic rivals, Holland’s Maarten van der Weijden and Germany’s Thomas Lurz. In the women’s race, Cassie Patten and Keri-Anne Payne led the field.

Sadly no photos seem to exist of Clive in his skin tight wetsuit - perhaps this is a good thing!

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