Very wet day for swim

MORE than 500 people took part in this year’s Henley Club to Pub swim in stormy weather on Saturday.

They swam 1.5km from Henley Rowing Club upstream towards Marsh Lock before turning at two large marker buoys and going back downstream to finish at the Angel on the Bridge pub.

As the competitors climbed out of the water, they were greeted by Mayor Sarah Miller, who presented each one with a medal.

The swimmers were also handed a bottle of Brakspear’s Angel’s Delight beer and were able to collect a burger, hot dog or veggie burger from a barbecue.

Spectators on the terrace at the pub had their hoods and umbrellas up against the wind and rain.

The race was won by Richard Stannard, 49, from Maidenhead, in a time of 18 minutes, 23 seconds a year after he finished runner-up.

He said: “Last year I lost by one second to an old friend of mine, who couldn’t make it this year.

“It’s a fantastic event. They give you a burger and a beer and it’s probably the most fun out of all of the events.

“There’s a great atmosphere. I’ll be back when I’m 50.” Chris Davis was the fastest competitor not wearing a wetsuit, finishing in ninth place in a time of 21 minutes and 17 seconds.

He said: “Why am I crazy enough to swim without one? I just prefer swimming without a wetsuit. I feel freer, although I did think twice about it this afternoon.”

Mr Davis, from London, has taken part in the event five times.

He said: “We always enjoy coming here. My granny lives right by the finish line. This year she’s looking after my son.”

Sarah Fitzgerald-Smith, 52, a member of the Reading Masters swimming club, was the second woman to finish in 22 minutes and 42 seconds. She was cheered on by her family at the Angel.

“It was hard,” she said. “I’m really pleased with where I came. It’s a really fun event.”

Lucy Roper, who is from the same club and has taken part in the event every year except one, said: “It was good. I like swimming in the rain because it makes the water temperature feel warmer. When it’s really hot, the water feels colder.

“It’s a shame it’s not sunny as it can put off some of the newbies but things are always well organised and fun so what more could you ask for? Some sunshine maybe.”

Friends Erin Hartman, 27, and Renée Russo, 26, who grew up swimming together in New Jersey, were making their debuts in the event.

Ms Hartman moved to London in 2020 and Ms Russo earlier this year.

They tried to swim together but got split up along the course.

Ms Hartman said, “I’m trying to get back into open water swimming, I’m used to pool swimming but when I moved here I found London has quite a nice open water swimming culture.

“The race was really fun. The rain doesn’t affect you if you’re swimming, just the spectators.”

The event is one of four annual open water competitions organised by Henley Swim.

Juliet Hume, director of operations, said: “It is really nice and the socialising is a major pull. It sells out every year. We’re going straight on sale for next year’s event and I’m sure we will we will have another sell-out.”

The organisers tested the river water quality before the event.

Ms Hume said: “We’ve tested three times this year and each time it’s been ‘excellent’ or ‘good’. We can’t do real time testing because it takes a few days to cultivate the sample. We took a sample today. We always test on the day of the event so we know in hindsight.”

The Mayor said: “I’m in awe of everyone who takes part, especially in those conditions. It was windy and rainy and the current was very strong.

“It’s a fantastic event and it is so good to see how it has grown over the years. Luckily, they seem to have forgotten that the last time I was mayor I said I would swim it. Maybe on a lilo.”

Tickets for next year’s Club to Pub are on sale at https://henleyswim.com/events/club-to-pub