8 Serps swimmers, Deirdre, Cat, Neil, Nick, Laura, George, Sally and Jonathon entered the first Nancy Hearle Memorial Cup, a 3 mile swim from Gull Rock to Tatums beach, at Portscatho, Cornwall.
Nancy Hearly swum the distance about 50 years ago. A few had tried since, but all had succumed to the cold or the currents.
Contrary to all predictions it was a beautiful day with perfect conditions. Gull Rock loomed frighteningly distant on the horizon and the local coast guard delighted in reminding us of how many had tried and failed. The eight Serps plus an exual number of friends, strangers and locals motored out to the start in RIBs (Rubber Inflatable Boats) The water was pretty chilly and so no one dipped more than a few toes in before the starters horn at ten past 3.
The tide and currents made the first quater mile feel a lot longer and blew a few swimmers off course; there was at least a hundred yards from one side of the 'bunch' to the other. Luckily the friendly flotilla pointed us in the right direction.
The water was very clear and jelly fish were easily spotted, a few loose stings stung a little but none too severely. There were shoals of sand eels and a few wrasse and several other slightly scary creatures.
First out was Deirdre in an awsome 1hour 30 minutes, met on the beach by a large cheering crowd, amazed that such a spectacle of endurance and grace should be seen in their little village.
Teas and towels appeared as if by magic.
The other Serps swimmers to reach the beach were, in order of arrival, Jonathon, Nick, George, Sally and Cat. Neil and Laura were narrowly beaten by the sea but rescued by yacht and motorboat for a glamorous ride home. Of special note, two very determined locals finished in a shivery 3 and a half hours!
This may be the first of many Nancy Hearle races if the organisers recover sufficiently..
Nancy Hearle Memorial Trophy 2006
3 mile Swim from Gull Rock to Tatums Beach
1st Deirdre Ward - SSC -1.30
2nd Justin Cowan * - 1.41
3rd Jonathan Tomlinson - SSC - 1.55
4th Nick Cooney - SSC - 1.59
5th George Du Toit - SSC - 2.04
6th Jenny Phillips * - 2.06
7th Sally Kelly - SSC - 2.08
8th Cat Johnston - SSC - 2.35
9th Linda Chiltern * - 3.02
10th Ed Whatley * - 3.04
11th Dan Young * - 3.30
11th Rosie Chiltern* - 3.30
DNF Neil Price - SSC, Laura Moffatt - SSC, Luis Guillemo Rendon-Aguilar & Simon**
Thanks to Tony and all the support craft, the anonymous tea-maker on the beach and the Tomlinson/Brown family for the back-up. Thanks to all those who cheered on and supported the swimmers.
SSC = Serpentine Swimming Club *wet suit **birthday suit!
