The weather turned in the favour of the Isle of Wight Marlins Masters Swim Club on Saturday 20th July enabling them to hold the 70th Pier2Pier Sea Swim Challenge from Sandown Pier to the site of the old Shanklin Pier.
At noon, 157 swimmers, with over 50 from the Island, entered the water and swam across the 1.8miles of the Bay. The fastest male swimmer was Benjamin van De Helstraete (Seaclose SC) in 32.50 minutes, and the fastest female swimmer was Kitty Craig in 35.08 minutes.
Junior swimmers
In between these two were the 15 to 17-year-old Juniors with Harry Shepherd 33.55 just holding off Isobel Muncaster 34.15 (both Seaclose S.C). Benjamin was the fastest Island male and Abigail Lacey (Seaclose SC) the fastest Island female swimmer in 37.21.
As the rest of the swimmers came up the beach to the finish line there were plenty of smiles of success, relief, “I did it!”, and a few signs of exhaustion etched on some faces.
86-year-old swimmer
The last swimmer in was the Island’s legendary 86-year-old Jenny Ball (Ryde SC) in 1.03.27.
There was a large crowd to see the start and the finish, where they were entertained by FatSamba as the swimmers came in.
European and British 200m Butterfly Down Syndrome swimming Champion
The Trophies were presented by the Island’s European and British 200m Butterfly Down Syndrome swimming Champion, Zac Lacey.
Thanks for support
The Isle of Wight Marlins Swim Club would like to thank those without whose assistance and co-operation would make this very popular, and growing, Island event impossible to hold.
Including, Sandown/Shanklin Independent Lifeboat, Ryde Inshore Independent Lifeboat, Shanklin deep sea fishermen, private kayakers who act as the safety craft with the swimmers, Ryde Beach Lifeguards, Shanklin Rowing Club, IWC council parking services, and all the helpers that made this a super, smooth event.
The 71st Swim will take place on 9th August 2025.
Other details can be found on the Isle of Wight Marlins Swim Club website.
News shared by Bob on behalf of Isle of Wight Marlins Swim Club. Ed
