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Aquabears go through pain barrier

26/ 7/2008

AQUABEARS’ masters swimmers Clem Jones and Wilf Larder have continued their success in long distance events.

Both competed in the BLDSA Rivington Reservoir Championship, a race of four one-mile laps of the reservoir.

Despite the cold water conditions Larder managed seventh place in a creditable time of 1 hour 52 mins 05 secs. Jones finished 10th place in a respectable time of 1 hour 59 mins 55 secs.

The conditions gave the pair a taste of how uncomfortable cold water swimming can be. Both suffered from cramp, mind delusions, and a good degree of pain.

Larder then competed in the BLDSA Llyn Tegid (Lake Bala) Championship in Snowdonia.

The six-mile course involved two lengths of the lake. Again the water temperature was colder than usual (around 13 degrees) due to the poor June weather.

For this event each swimmer had to be supported by their own boat crew who were charged with navigation, feeding and generally looking after the welfare of the swimmer, as well as themselves, the biggest concern being hypothermia.

This event was always going to be a learning curve for swimmers and boat crew (Chris Healey, Fraser Bruce and Chris Ashton) as all were inexperienced.

Problems set in soon after the start as the boat crew (in a completely unsuitable hired rowing boat they were later advised) struggled to keep up with the pace of the swimmers.

In their efforts they managed to break two oars and were cast adrift.

Plan B was quickly conceived and implemented, with the rescue boat speeding a mile or so back to shore to commandeer a canoe before returning to the drifting rowing boat to pick up Fraser Bruce who was then escorted, along with the canoe, to catch the lead swimmers.

The race saw a number of swimmers retire, but Wilf Larder managed to finish it in third place in a respectable time of 2 hours 52 mins 46 secs.

The remainder of the boat crew, Chris Ashton and Chris Healey, were later safely towed back to shore.

Larder will next compete in the Windermere Championship in September.

If he is successful in completing the 10.5 mile swim he will then be in a position to attempt to swim the English Channel next summer.

Larder is raising money for local charities through these swims, and if anyone would like to sponsor him they can contact him directly on 07808 572963.

He is also still in need of canoes for use on escorted swims and would like to hear from anyone who may be in a position to loan canoes and equipment.