SPECIAL THANKS TO MIKE MCTIGUE, ARTHUR GOLD AND JULIAN SMITH FOR ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
THE MIGHTY RIVER MERSEY -
ADVENTURE SWIMMING
As the warm gentle, north easterly breeze pushed the incoming
tide of the Bank Holiday Saturday, twenty five hardy swimmers
gazed across the almost nine meter high water from the Cockle
inlet towards Monks Ferry in preparation for the start of the now
infamous 24th Annual Swim Across the Mighty River Mersey.
At 1450hrs, 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 that was perfect for an easy swim. Breaking into the
powerful tidal surge, the five swimming pods were soon at the
mercy of the mighty Mersey waters as they are dragged rapidly
south towards Otterspool and the southern banks.
Swimming hard towards their chosen bearings, each pod of five
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
then adjusted their bearing towards the shore so not to overshoot
the finish point slipway. Within minutes, the tide had turned and
was running at six knots towards the Irish Sea.
Now swimming harder into the shadows of the colossal moored-
up tankers, the swimline twisted and they were pushed by the
waves it created. Cries could be heard as swimmers were stung by
jellyfish and painful ‘sea bees’. Reaching the calmer waters just
off the coast, breathing and voices were amplified and echoed
off the ancient sandstone dock walls as each pod regrouped in
this eerie space, being carried even quicker in the final surge
to breakout of the tidal flow towards the finish point and the
welcome home of Monks Ferry Slipway.
Congratulations to all the swimmers for a successful crossing.
To Mersey legend veterans Joe Kerrigan, 78 and Ray Hanlon,
98 wirrallife.com
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
72, three generations of the Hanlon family, Grandfather Henry
Lowther and debut Mersey swimmer, 15 year old grand-daughter
Ellie Knight.
As with any adventure swimming event it would not be possible
without the help and support of safety crews. Huge thanks to
Kevin Gerrard and the Ormskirk Diving Club for Paula Jo, Osac
Divee and D Boy. Andy Farrell and Andy Morley from Bluepoint
Marine Services for the crew and John & Steve of the Big Blue
and the Big O vessels.
Organisation and safety from Jimmy Tinsley and Mrs J, Bob
Jones, Robin Baynes, Ossie Omar and Rob Harrison from
Liverpool Heartbeat for the John Hulley 1863 Legacy Event.
Our registration team and shore safety - Debbie Hanlon, Emer
Sneddon, Andrea Davies, Kiera Hanlon & Dave Roberts.
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, 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.
Looking ahead to next year’s 25th Anniversary celebrations,
the organisers are hoping to increase swimmer numbers and
profile the Mighty River Mersey Swim as ‘The Adventure Swim
Challenge of 2018’. Supported by Bentley Motors, 100 years of
the Liverpool to Isle of Man yacht race, 25 years of the modern
Across Mersey Swim and 10 years since Liverpool European
Capital of Culture.
For further information contact Liam Hanlon at tri-4-life on
07966 529133.