THIS year’s Clyde swim went ahead nearly as planned, writes John Hanna -- the start had to be delayed by about 25 minutes to allow a tanker to pass rather than having a meeting in the middle of the river.

Twenty six swimmers crossed the estuary from Kilcreggan to the Royal West of Scotland Boat Club on Greenock Esplanade, a distance of 1.86 miles as the crow flies, however with tide movement no one swims in a straight line so for most it would be nearer if not more than two miles.

As in previous years, each swimmer chose their own charity to represent, and this year indications are that in excess of £4,860 has been raised for 21 charities. Since 2003, more than £43,000 has been raised for charity. This event continues to be a successful fund-raiser for local, national and international charities.

We are see growing enthusiasm for this swim with many already showing interest in next year’s event. With the amounts being raised for all the deserving causes each year, I hope this continues and develops further into a local fund-raising attraction.

-- Pictured, right, John Hanna

This is the last year that Gourock Amateur Swimming Club will organise the event as the club is facing difficulties in getting pool time for training with the loss of pools in schools.

After 10 events my wife Esther and I are retiring from the event and GASC. Other than jellyfish stings and some sore eyes, the 10 events have gone without serious incidents. We wish every success for Joe Heffernan who is taking it on next year and I hope everyone can support him as much as they have us.Again the event was supported by the kayakers and safety crews from the Royal West of Scotland Boat Club, Clyde Coastguard, Clydeport Estuary Control, Clyde Diving Club and St Andrew’s Ambulance, without whose help this event could not take place.

Thanks again to Terry Meade the Gourock Butcher for his unfailing generous donation of barbecue meats for the day which help raise further funds. Thanks to those volunteers who help out on the beach side from the formality of time keeping through to cooking and serving the barbecue and pounding the beat during training sessions.

This year again saw financial support from Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions, and thanks to Inverclyde Leisure for the use of their PA system.

Although it is not classed as a race, there is a trophy for the first swimmer home. The trophy has been in existence since 1950. There is also a memorial trophy for the swimmer from Gourock Swimming Club.

List of the times achieved by all the swimmers.

Lorraine Wheatley 39.56
Fiona Ramsay  44.12
Calum Dyer  46.20
Stuart McPhail  47.38
Alastair Bell  48.04
Aiden Grant  52.58
Karl Giarchi  53.22
James McLatchie  54.05
Laura Atkinson  54.25
Gerard Malone  56.40
Warren Hawke  1.00.27
Katrina Bryce  1.01.04
John Dyer  1.01.19
Stewart Ormond  1.03.27
Andrew Osborne  1.04.06
Mike Maskrey  1.06.21
Colin Campbell  1.07.28
Anna Kane  1.11.35
Lesley Nevin  1.12.23
Joseph Masterton  1.12.30
Audrey Thompson  1.16.29
Craig Fawbert  1.21.08
Yvonne Coull  1.29.57
Graeme Hanna  1.38.40
John Sharp  1.41.44
William Findlay  1.47.20

Charities represented: Alzheimers, Ardgowan Hospice, Yorkhill Hospital, Port Glasgow Otters, Mary's Meals, CHAS, Breast Cancer Care, Ocean Youth Trust, Chest Heart and Stroke, Bobath, Homestart, RNLI, Special Care Baby Unit Paisley, Down's Syndrome, St Vincent Hospice, Lyric Club, Quarriers, Greenock Medical Aid Society, Garvel Deaf Centre, Teenage Cancer, 3rd Scouts East Kilbride, Kilbride & St Andrews Hospice..
Once again my personal thanks to all who made it possible and congratulations to all the swimmers.

More Photos

More Coverage

Photos by Ashley Baxter

ADVERTISEMENT