The Black Sheep Henley swim took place in the early hours of Sunday morning. Just shy of 90 swimmers jumped into the Thames to take part in the first official running of the event.
The event started four years ago very unofficially, when two friends (and ex-rowers) decided they would like to swim the Royal Regatta course. To make sure that they did this as safely as possible and were out of the water before any rowing crews boated, they decided to jump in at 4.30 a.m.
Since then a major part of the attraction of this event has become the unique time of the day that it is held.
Competitor Mark Saunders said: “It was a beautiful morning, a little bit of mist on the river and no wind. Absolutely perfect conditions for swimming.”
The swim attracts many types of swimmer, from competitors aiming for a win, to people who just like to swim in beautiful stretches of open water.
This year’s event attracted swimmers of all sorts, including top-end pool swimmers, triathletes, channel swimmers, rowers and ex-rowers. The organisers spent a great deal of time ensuring adequate safety measures were in place, and the environment agency demonstrated their support for the event by closing the course to non-race craft to allow swimmers to compete safely. Once an early water temperature and flow check had been carried out, it was deemed that the swim could safely take place.
Winner on the day was ex-Australian junior international Joel Winter, from Thames Valley triathletes, who completed the course in a staggering 29 minutes and 32 seconds. Joel was clearly very motivated to make his mark on the swim early by opening up a ten metre lead in the first 500 metres.
By the end of the course he had opened up close to a minute and a half lead over second place Chris Ryall. First lady home in a time of 33 minutes and 42 seconds, and seventh place overall, was ex-Olympic swimmer and world champion Karen Pickering.
Karen, who has been retired for two years, said: “I really enjoyed it, although 2km was a bit of a shock to the system, my specialist distance was 200m.”
Hugh Mackworth-Praed distinguished himself for two reasons — firstly by winning the third category Huff and Puff medal and secondly because later this week Hugh will be competing in the prestigious Diamond sculls event at the regatta. Olympic silver medalist rower Guin Batten put in a solid performance to finish e_SClB50th, relying on a lot of non-swimming fitness.
After the swim everybody descended on Henley tea rooms who opened up specially early to provide everyone with breakfast as well as host the prize-giving.
Spokesman Jeremy Laming said: “We had a fantastic morning, and couldn’t have been luckier with the weather and conditions. Everyone from the swimmers to safety staff seemed to really enjoy themselves.”
Canoeist safety cover was provided by Old Windsor Lifeguard club, expertly assisted by Henley Eyot Canoe club, ensuring there was sufficient cover.
One of the primary aims of the swim is to raise money for charity, and this year proceeds of £650 went to ClicSargeant, the Great Ormond street childrens’ cancer charity.
All category winners took home their medals in a black case as well as a crate of Black Sheep brewery beer for their troubles.
Picture by www.dodsworld.com
Positions:
1st Joel Scott-Winter: 29 minutes 30 seconds.
7th Karen Pickering: 33 minutes 42 seconds.
15th Angus McChesney: 36 minutes 43 seconds.
23rd Hugh Macworth-Praed: 37 minutes 58 seconds.
26th Mike Steer: 39 minutes 4 seconds.
87th Mike Louzado: 66 minutes 21 seconds.
View more photographs
Published on 06 July 2008
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