Congratulations to the 64 swimmers who took part in yesterday’s Wild West Solent Swim from Hurst Castle on the mainland to Colwell Bay here on the Isle of Wight.
The conditions were perfect with calm waters and low wind and the swimmers all achieved the crossing in good time.
Video footage of the event
Joe Briscoe was once again out with his video camera doing a great job of capturing interviews with the swimmers before they embarked on the challenge, as well as grabbing footage during the swim and afterwards.
Through careful planning, the swim was able to run despite the powerboats heading to the Cowes Torquay race at the Needles.
Many of the swimmers have taken part previously and said they’d do it again, all in aid of West Wight Sports Centre.
Marriage proposal
As you’ll see from the video below, one West Wight resident had more to celebrate than her partner completing the swim. As Isle of Wight photographer Jason Swain emerged from the water, he headed straight for his partner Gemma and proposed to her.
It’s been a nail-biting two weeks for Jason, because he’d planned to pop the question on 18th August, when the swim was originally planned for. Congratulations to you both, you make a lovely couple.
Raising money for the sports centre
You might not realise that the West Wight Sports Centre facility is run by a charity and relies on donations and fundraising to survive.
Well done to everyone who took part and were involved in the organisation.
It’ll be sometime before the final figure raised is known, but it is expected to be well in excess of £20,000.
