Many people had done the swim before, but plenty of newcomers also enjoyed the 500-metre swim from the Castle Cornet slipway to the horseshoe pool at La Vallette.
‘It’s really great to see more and more people do it each year, but we have a lot of families who do this year after year and it’s really nice to see their families grow,’ said organiser Kevin Penney.
One of the families that took part this year was that of Jo Norman. The long-serving volunteer from the Guernsey Swimming Club died a couple of weeks ago at the age of 81, and about 20 of her family and friends were the last to swim on the day, which they did in her memory.
‘She taught me everything I know, especially when it comes to this swim,’ said Mr Penney, Mrs Norman’s grandson.
Lorna Castle was in one of the first groups to swim across from the slipway.
‘It was great, the sea was a nice warm temperature. I have done it before but not for a few years so it was nice to do it again, and there has been a really good turn out today.’
Josephine Ferguson had also done the swim before. ‘It was really refreshing, much better than last year’s, because that was really choppy,’ she said.
Natalie Le Page was taking part for the first time.
‘I really enjoyed it and there were some good views along the way,’ she said.
This year the swim was raising money for the Guernsey Voluntary Service, Guernsey Mind and Safer.
‘The charities are chosen by the Guernsey Swimming Club and our sponsors BWCI select a charity too,’ said Mr Penney.
‘This year it’s a really well-rounded group of charities.’
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