THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY ACROSS MERSEY SWIM
THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY ACROSS MERSEY SWIM
Saturday 11th August saw a record number of swimmers register to face the historic and iconic challenge- to swim across the mighty River Mersey from the Cockle inlet Liverpool to Monks Ferry Wirral.
The event sponsored by HR Owen Lamborghini Manchester saw swimmers greeted by tri-4-life team member and Wirral ' s first successful solo Channel Swimmer Steve McHugh.
In celebration of the 25th year of the swim, Bob Jones, Jim Tinsley & Robin Baynes were congratulated as the founders this iconic event. Tributes of remembrance were paid to the memory of Bob Jones who passed away earlier this year. His formidable character, personality and involvement will always be synonymous in shaping the history of this swim.
At 1130 hrs the all clear was given for the‘ window’ in the busy shipping fairways to start the crossing. New swimmers could be easily fooled by the sunshine and pleasant sixteen degree water temperatures into thinking that all was perfect for an easy swim. Breaking into the powerful tidal surge the twelve swimming pods were soon at the mercy of the mighty Mersey waters as they were dragged rapidly south towards Otterspool and the southern banks.
Swimming hard towards their chosen bearings each pod of swimmers pushed west towards the Wirral shoreline passing the Birkenhead Priory, Cammell Laird Shipyard and Tranmere Oil Terminal, before slowing down on the slack water. Each pod now adjusting their bearing towards the shore so not to over-chute the finish point slipway. Within minutes the tide had turned and was running at six knots towards the Irish Sea.
Swimming harder now into the shadows of the colossal moored-up tankers, the swim line twisted and pushed by the eddies created. Reaching calmer waters just off the coast, each pod re-grouped before the final surge to breakout of the tidal flow and towards the finish point at Monks Ferry Slipway.
Congratulations to all the swimmers for a successful crossing. To the many new faces drawn from near and far. Mersey legend veterans
Joe Kerrigan( 79yrs) and Ray Hanlon( 73yrs), three generations of the Hanlon Family again completing the swim. As with any adventure swimming event it would not be possible without the help and support of safety crews.
Liam Hanlon, event organiser said " I would like to say a huge thanks to the ten RHIB’ s and their crew’ s that supported the swim. Jamie Hanlon for being at the helm of our new Liverpool Heartbeat / tri-4- life Safety RHIB, Mrs J2 who co-ordinated the safe start and passage of the swimmers through the busy shipping lanes and strong tidal flows. Kevin Gerrard and the Ormskirk Diving Club for PAULA JO, Ormskirk diver & White Rib, Paul Pratt and the three boats and crews from Liverpool Yacht Club. The support from Liverpool Marina and The African Queen II. Ian in the little RHIB supporting the Wirral Lifeguard swimmers and Paul Bates & Mark Hanlon who towed their RHIB from Leicestershire."
Organisation and shore safety was managed by Dave Brunton and Lee McHugh. The event registration and shore safety team consisted of Debbie Hanlon, Andrea Davies & Anne Pritchard Howarth- who all ensured a safe departure and arrival of all swimmers.
The event organisers also thanked Joe Blythe, Marine Operations Manager at Peel Ports for their support, the‘ watchful eye’ from the crew of Marine Fire 1, New Brighton Lifeboat, the Coastguard and all other agencies involved in the success of this amazing event. The swimmers and support team have again raised thousands of pounds for various local charities and good causes.
With a quarter of a century of successful swims, the voluntary organisers are hoping to increase swimmer numbers to profile the mighty River Mersey swim as ' The Adventure Swim Challenge of the Year ' and celebrate 100 years of the Liverpool to Isle of Man Yacht Race, 25 years of the modern Across Mersey Swim and 10 years since the Liverpool Capital of Culture.
To get involved or for further information, contact Liam Hanlon at tri-4-life on 07966 529133.
84 88 wirrallife.. com