The Big Sea Swim takes place this Saturday 12 July in Eastbourne from the lifeguard beach for the third time. The swim is categorised into two distances; 1k and 3k and fundraising supports the MCS to continue their work protecting the fabulous seas, shores and wildlife around the UK and beyond. Registration closes at 5pm on Wednesday 9 July so there is still time to participate! It costs £25 for the 1km and £30 for the 3km swim and the organisers hope that swimmers will fundraise as much as possible to help our beach and coast. Top fundraisers will receive prizes too!
We spoke to a member of our team who is taking part in
the race; Jenny Horridge about the event and here’s what she said…
What attracted you to take part in the Big
Sea Swim?
I
have been swimming seriously for the last two years and realised I had never
entered a race before. This event came up and I thought the 1k would be a great
distance for my first sea swim. So I thought I’d give it a go and raise some
money at the same time.
How
have you trained for this?
I
train once a week at David Lloyd leisure centre with the Masters swimming club
as well as swimming an extra two sessions a week on my own. As this is a sea
event I have also been swimming in the sea once a week for the last month.
Coincidently I swim the same route as the Big Sea Swim so hopefully I will be
prepared.
How
cold has the water been?
The
water has been bearable and it is definitely warmer than a month ago. It’s
still quite cold when you get in but it’s lovely after a few minutes and we are
very lucky to have such a lovely coast.
With
the proceeds going towards keeping the beach and water clean, is there anything
you would like to see improved on our seafront?
We’ve
got a lovely seafront so this is a great way to keep it that way. I often hear
visitors talking about how clean our beaches are so this is a fantastic way to
keep doing so. I am very confident swimming off Eastbourne beaches and it is
always great to see so many others taking the plunge every year.
Providing
it goes well, do you think you will take part in next year’s event?
Yes
I definitely hope I will take part again. It’s a great event and as it’s local
for me I will make sure it is an annual thing. Who knows, I might do the 3k
next year if all goes well!
With
the sea on our doorstep, do you enjoy swimming in the sea regularly?
I
have always gone in the sea but I only started proper sea swimming about a year
ago when I was persuaded by friends at the Masters club. Although it is harder
than swimming in a pool, I really enjoyed it and it is gone from there really.
I absolutely love it now and hope to keep it up!
What
are your feelings about the event this Saturday?
I’m
very excited to take part but also slightly nervous as it is my first one. I
think the hardest bit will be entering the water and going round the buoys.
Once I’ve got going I think I’ll be fine and thrilled to finish.
Thanks
Jenny for telling us about the event and how you are preparing for it, we wish
you the best of luck and of course good luck to all the other swimmers keeping
our coast clean and safe!!!
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