Organisers had been concerned about the strong winds and choppy seas on Saturday. But the wind dropped around lunchtime on Sunday, allowing a successful event to go ahead.
More than 700 people are estimated to have taken part, raising money for the Guernsey Welfare Service, Dementia Friendly Guernsey and Headway Guernsey.
Guernsey Swimming Club director Jo Norman said her team had been down to Havelet on Saturday and then first thing on Sunday before giving the event the green light.
‘It was touch and go,’ she said.
‘With an open swim, we need to make sure everyone can do it.’
Swimmers set off in batches of 50 from Castle Cornet slipway, wearing one of nine different coloured swimming caps, which were used to help identify each group.
They swam 500m across the bay to the bathing pools. The RNLI and a flotilla of kayaks were on hand to ensure everyone was safe.
One of the younger swimmers was 11-year-old Jude Marley, who is a member of Guernsey Swimming Club. He has regularly done the swim with the club, but said it was nice to do it as part of the open.
‘I really enjoy sea swimming – it’s so nice when you get in,’ he said.
‘There is the weather to think of, and it’s a bit choppy, but I’m ready for that.’
Some swimmers had extra challenges. Former Elizabeth College bursar Mike Spiller, 62, had a stroke four years ago, leaving him with no use of his left side. But regular swims with Guernsey Disability Swimming have helped his physicality and he decided the swim was a great challenge to take on. He raised £1,300 in sponsorship, which will be divided between the event’s three charities, but head injury charity Headway was the important one for him.
‘I go every week and they have been so helpful,’ he said.
‘There has been a lot of physical progress, but the cognitive progress is taking a bit longer.’
Surrounded by loved ones and swimmers, he made it across the bay using a one-handed doggy paddle.
Kirk Lanyon, 61, was involved in a vehicle accident which left him with a broken pelvis. Swimming has been a big part of his recovery – swimming every day at Bordeaux or the bathing pools. The accident means he cannot kick his legs properly, but swimming has boosted his upper body strength.
‘This is a great challenge,’ he said.
Swim organiser Kevin Penney said that more than 500 people had signed up in advance, but there were queues of people still waiting to take part, even after the event started at 12.30pm.
‘We expected about 250 people to be signing up today,’ he said.
‘Last year was a record-breaker and we hope the same for this year.’
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