George shares this latest news from Cowes RNLI. Ed
The ‘Dare to Brave It’ swim at Gurnard over last weekend, involving 31 swimmers, raised nearly £600 for the RNLI.
The swim, around buoys off The Little Gloster restaurant, was watched by a large crowd on the shore, with the Cowes Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Sheena Louise, in attendance to provide safety cover.
Lifeboat crew member Andrea Vaughan who organised the lifeboat’s presence said,
“This is the third year the RNLI has benefitted from the swim, and the most successful.
“It was a fantastic day and the weather was awesome, although the sea temperature and the wind was chilly, as to be expected this time of year.
“We are so immensely grateful to The Little Gloster for combining the swim with their Christmas market which included a raffle in aid of the RNLI. And people really enjoyed the turkey brioche buns, the mulled wine, petting two donkeys from the Donkey Sanctuary and the ‘Bake Off’ competition.”
Despite the strong current and water temperature (7.5 celsius – or 45.5 Fahrenheit), most of the brave swimmers finished the course; some of the few who did not were brought ashore by the lifeboat, helmed by Neil Archer.
One of those who found the going particularly tough was crewman Dr Will King, who ill-advisedly took to the sea in a dry suit.
