THE MERSEY SWIM - 26 YEARS OF ADVENTURE SWIMMING
From humble beginnings in 1993, the award winning Across
Mersey Swim was a showcase event in bridging the City Regions
of Liverpool and Wirral as part of this year’s Mersey River Festival
and Wirral Borough of Culture celebrations. It is now recognised
as an outstanding contribution to Leisure & Tourism in raising the
international profile of this Mighty River and the communities that
surround it.
Sunday 2nd June saw a record number of 92 Swimmers turn out to face
the historic and iconic Challenge - to swim across the Mighty River
Mersey, from the Cockle inlet Liverpool to Monks Ferry Wirral.
The swimmers and their safety crews were greeted at the Canning half
tide dock and given a huge send off from the Lord Mayor of Liverpool,
Councillor Peter Brennan, and wished well by Bev Ayre of Culture
Liverpool. Robin Baynes MBE recited a brief history of the swim and
congratulated the organisers on the successful development of this
iconic event.
King of the Mersey with 15 years of successful across Mersey swims.
Swimmers were welcomed and congratulated by the Deputy Mayor
of Wirral, Councillor George Davies, at Monks Ferry with live music
from musician John Williams. Lucy Barrow from the Wirral Culture &
Visitor Economy team was also in attendance.
As with any adventure swimming event it would not be possible without
the help and support of our safety crews. A huge thanks to the RHIB’s
and their crew’s for supporting the swim, Jamie Hanlon at the helm of
the safety RHIB, Mrs J2, 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, Ormskirk
diver & White Rib, 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 African Queen II. Ian in the little RHIB
supporting the Wirral Lifeguard swimmers - thank you!
At 11.15hrs the all clear was given for the ‘window’ in the busy shipping
fairways to start the crossing. Conditions for this early season swim were
kind given the gentle sea breeze and twelve-degree water temperatures
that made for a challenging swim. Organisation and shore safety for this Liverpool Heartbeat John Hulley
1863 Legacy Event was managed by Lee McHugh. The event registration
and shore safety team of Debbie Hanlon and Andrea Davies ensured a
safe departure and arrival of our swimmers.
Breaking into the powerful tidal surge the eleven 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 were pushing
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 overchute the finish point slipway. Within minutes
the tide has turned and running at six knots towards the Irish Sea. The event organisers would also like to thank 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.
Swimming harder now and being carried ever quicker in anticipation of
the final surge to breakout of the tidal flow towards the finish point and
welcome of Monks Ferry slipway.
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 (80yrs) and Ray Hanlon
(74yrs). Event organiser Liam Hanlon was crowned as the new
84 wirrallife.com
80
With over 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 at Tri-
4-Life on 07966 529133.
Tri-4-life event Director Liam Hanlon congratulated everyone on an
amazing year of outstanding commitment, performance & achievement.