Nearly 100 take plunge to mark 10th anniversary

NEARLY 100 swimmers braved the cold waters for the annual Castle Open Swim. Also held in memory of former States member Bill Green, who was an honorary member of the Guernsey Swimming Club, this year marked the 10th anniversary of the Bill Green Memorial Cup. All 96 who took part completed it.

Organiser Jo Norman said the swim, which raises money for local charities, was a great success.

'Everybody had a good time,' she said.

'The conditions were all right, but it got a bit choppy in the middle during the last 10 minutes. Everyone completed it and all the money we took goes to the Hope charity.'

The entrants started at La Vallette and then swam across Havelet Bay to the castle slip. The number was down this year and Norman believes this was because of timing and the tides. Next year the club hopes to have the event in early August.

For safety reasons, swimmers were split into two groups, the first wearing pink swimming caps and the second green.

For insurance purposes only those aged 12 and over were allowed to participate because of a ruling by the Amateur Swimming Assoc--iation.

Although not strictly a race, a special cup is awarded annually to the oldest swimmer to take part.

This year's recipient was 78-year-old Bernie Savage, who was presented with the Bill Green Memorial Cup by the late deputy's daughter, Margaret Talbot-Cull.

It was the sixth time that he has been presented with it.

The retired businessman has been a keen swimmer for 58 years and he has represented the island at water polo. He regularly competes in the masters swimming events and aims to go in off the Ladies' Pool every morning, all year round.

'It's a hobby that I always had and I really enjoy it,' he said.

'It was lovely on Friday evening, although it got a bit choppy.

'Some people wouldn't have enjoyed it because they would have got chop in their face, but I do the crawl mainly so my face is down in the water anyway.

'I was two minutes quicker than I have been in the last couple of years.'