After having completed the Great London Swim last year, I swore that I would not do any more open-water swimming again – ever! So I am rather surprised to find myself having done both the Great North Swim and the Great London Swim this year.
I swam to raise money for CRY, in memory of my daughter, Elizabeth, who died of an undiagnosed cardiac condition five days before her 21st birthday in 2006.
After three months of training, in swimming pools and lakes, the Great North Swim in Lake Windermere was a relatively easy experience, except for the coldness of the water. It is so much easier swimming in a straight line, without having to turn all the time, and doing the swim in clear water with hundreds of other people added a certain buzz. It was a pity the weather was bad, because it must be one of the most attractive places in England to swim – unfortunately the views of Scafell and the Langdale Pikes were spoilt by low cloud and rain.
Then south to London for the Great London Swim in the Royal Albert Dock – not so many people, but even more of a buzz, partly because of the lovely weather and partly because the spectators were more packed together – the water was warm and surprisingly clean, and it was actually quite pleasant to swim among the cranes and warehouses of the old dock.
I hope to have raised about £ 1,000 for CRY. Once again, I am determined not to do any more open-water swims, however, with my record I’ll probably be doing four next year.
Christopher Gent
