More people needed for 30 Bays in 30 Days

The challenge, in its ninth year, will begin at 6.30pm on Friday at Vazon. La Vallette bathing pools has also added to the map.

Event founder Liz Stonebridge was pleased at the addition, since Petit Port is not included this year as it is closed for the foreseeable future.

‘The Vive La Vallette team have done an incredible job of upgrading this community facility, so we wanted to help to encourage people to use it during July with a view to them continuing to use it all year round.’

Due to an increase in regular sea swimming, the organisers hope this will be a record year for people taking part and Ms Stonebridge said the organisers had contacted the Guernsey Swim All Seasons group, which has some 3,000 members, in the hope that many would want to get involved.

‘Numbers are definitely down,’ she said.

‘We had more than 900 in total last year.’

At the end of last week just over 200 people had registered.

‘We’re still below where we want to be. We’re hoping to get 1,000 this year.’

Participants must swim a minimum of 30 strokes and 30 bays on the event list.

Extra swims at the same bays can be swapped for bays that are not accessible for an individual.

A smaller version of the event, Nine Bays in 30 Days, is also available.

It is tailored for those with young families or with mobility issues as it takes swimmers to the more accessible beaches which also have a kiosk, toilets and parking.

Swimmers will receive a map to tick off their bays which has been illustrated by Caroline Cummins of Little Paper Gallery which will be delivered by Guernsey Post.

The event was inspired by the success of the 30/30 cycle event and personal experience of the care and support that the Les Bourgs Hospice provides to its patients and their families.

Registration costs £15 for adults, £5 for under 18s or £35 for a family entry.

n For more information visit www.30bays.org.