THE ANNUAL ACROSS MERSEY SWIM
From humble beginnings in 1993, the award winning Across Mersey
Swim was the first post-lockdown mass participation open water
swimming event in England and took place on Saturday 18 July. It was
dedicated to Rob Harrison who sadly lost his life to Coronavirus.
Around 170 swimmers completed the showcase event in bridging the city
regions of Liverpool and Wirral across the mighty river, now recognised
as an outstanding contribution to Leisure & Tourism in raising the
international profile of this mighty river and the communities that
surround it.
tri-4-life Event organiser Liam Hanlon, says putting all the necessary
permissions and procedures in place was, “tricky, getting this year’s event
off the ground required lengthy conversations with the Councils on both
sides of the river, the police and the coast guard, plus detailed study of
government guidelines on social gatherings,” he says.
This year the swim has become something of a local community endeavour,
and this helped in complying with the social distancing requirements.
Swimmers were put together in pods with other people they had already
been regularly swimming and training with, and pod leaders vouched for
swimmers’ abilities and speed. Swimmers were required to stick with their
pods during the briefing and entry into the water as well as during the
swim.
Liam Hanlon says the feedback he’s received has been very encouraging.
“There was a different attitude among swimmers this year. People are
increasingly recognising the importance of open water swimming for
their mental and emotional health. We don’t advertise this swim but
share details with local swimming groups via WhatsApp – and this year
we had double the number of swimmers we usually do. It was fantastic
that we were able to put on the event with a huge increase in numbers
demonstrating the resilience of our community during the difficult time
of lockdown and social distancing.
The following covid-specific precautions were also put in place:
• All swimmers signed a covid declaration to confirm they were
symptom free and had not been in contact with anyone showing
symptoms in the previous week
• All swimmers were provided with face coverings before start and
after exiting the water
• Volunteers, including those on support boats, were provided with
PPE
• One support boat designated for emergency extraction from the
water if necessary
• Lengthy discussions were held with the insurance broker with cover
only confirmed 18 hours before the event
Liam also said “Lockdown has created a big increase in interest in open
water swimming. If you’re healthy, and as long as you take appropriate
precautions, you can’t keep hiding away.”
Congratulations to all the swimmers for a successful crossing. To the many
first timers drawn from near and far including Australia and Mexico.
Mersey legend veterans Joe Kerrigan (81yrs) and Ray Hanlon (75yrs). 11
year old Fraya Doran joins a growing list of elite young Mersey swimmers.
Swimmers were waved off in Liverpool and welcomed with Congratulations
at Monks Ferry by The Lord Mayor of Liverpool Councillor Anna Rothery.
As with any adventure swimming event it would not be possible without
the help and support of our safety crews.
The Huge thanks to the RHIB’s and their crew’s that mustered as arranged
to support the swim, Jamie Hanlon at the helm of the Safety RHIB, Mrs J2
and Jim Tinsley & Dave Parry 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, to Paul Pratt
and Peter Kenny on the Iantha and the boat and crew from Liverpool
Yacht Achoholic, The support from Liverpool Marina and the two RHIBS
from Merseyside Sub-Aqua Club and Richard Webster in the little RHIB
supporting the Wirral Lifeguard swimmers THANK YOU!!
Organisation and shore safety for this Liverpool Heartbeat John Hulley
1863 Legacy Event was managed by the Paul Lavelle Foundation team.
The event Registration and Shore Safety team of Debbie Hanlon, Andrea
Davies ensured a safe departure and arrival of our swimmers.
The event organisers would also like to thank Joe Blythe Marine
Operations Manager at Peel Ports for their support, the ‘watch-full eye’
from the crew of Marine Fire 1, New Brighton Lifeboat, the Coast Guard
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 Century of
Successful Swims in a unique format of Community, Charity & Sporting
Challenge the voluntary organisers are hoping to increase swimmer
numbers to profile the Mighty River Mersey Swim as ‘The’ Adventure
Swim Challenge of the Year,
To get involved or for further information contact Liam Hanlon tri-4-life
07966 529133.
Tri-4-life event director Liam Hanlon congratulated everyone on an
amazing year of outstanding commitment, performance & achievement.
76 wirrallife.com