Students diving into Skipton Swimarathon

The four-day charity event is in its 47th year and is expected to see more than 2,000 swimmers take part to raise money for Guernsey Mind and the Youth Commission of Guernsey and Alderney.

‘We’ve had a pretty good turnout this year with about 150 teams in total and by the end there will have been between 2,000 and 3,000 swimmers,’ said Swimarathon organising committee chairman John Stuart.

‘We’ve already been to Beaucamps and we’ll also be going to St Sampson’s and their pool is shared with Le Murier so there is a few hundred children taking part in that.’

The Swimarathon raised more than £67,000 last year and since its inaugural year in 1977 has raised more than £1.7m. for local causes.

‘The biggest bit is trying to encourage more teams to enter, with a big push on getting more of the schools involved and more corporate teams,’ said Mr Stuart.

‘We have one company in particular who did it last year and the company trebled the money that the staff raised.’

All eight lanes at Beau Sejour on Thursday evening were occupied by Elizabeth College students, battling it out to be the team who completed the most lengths.

‘I swim for Guernsey and Barracudas so it shouldn’t be too hard,’ said Louis Moherndl, 12.

‘We’re ready to beat all of the other teams.’

Darcey Smith and Holly Steele, both 12, were taking part.

‘I’m not normally a swimmer but I signed up because it’s fun,’ said Darcey.

‘I used to swim but I stopped so it’s nice to get back in the water,’ said Holly.

There are still spare lanes to be booked for today and tomorrow. The event ends tomorrow.

n Bookings can be made at www.swimarathon.org.