The purpose of the annual All-Clothes race is to remind swimmers of the benefits - and the challenges - of lifesaving.
Every September, the club hosts a race which although lighthearted, also serves as a reminder for how difficult it can be to rescue someone in the water.
And in light vein, here are the rules for lifesaving as they are imagined to be:
1. Person drowning waves frenetically and shouts
2. Lifesaver runs to bedroom and grabs a pair of pyjamas, as these are essential rescue equipment for flotation
3. Long story cut short; perfect lifesaving happens, and drowner is brought to shore
4. Resuscitation given by lifesaver to victim, unless it is Nick’s swimming labrador, in which case just hand her a carrot and let Nick do the optional dog breath snog.
5. If you want to know more of modern methods, try here
Luckily, many many swimmers arrived colourfully laden in bright better than pyjama style costumes, and with smily faces to match. There were wedding belles, Elvis, and clowns, and no frowns in sight.
When it came to the racing, this was a costume drama with a tight finish. Appropriately, the winning lifesaving resuscitator was a doctor, as Dr Vanessa Mavra won the race. Thankfully for Vanessa, who was not wearing pyjamas, neither the fantastically dressed Nick, nor his labrador, needed assistance on the bank. And barely a heartbeat behind, Catherine Cselko finished second.
What a great day, but the pictures speak a thousand words and are worth a look. Thanks to Fiona, Mike and Jeremy for the pix.
[John Tierney]
