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The Great Thames Long Swim
In the early hours of 30th June 2012,100-plus swimmers supported by 25 colourful – and vociferous – kayakers took part in the inaugural Boulter’s to Bray Swim, making waves through the Taplow stretch of the Thames at approximately 6.30am. Backed by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and the Louis Baylis Charitable Trust, this 2.8km swim proved a hit with both seasoned open water swimmers and first-timers keen to experience the thrill of this increasingly popular sport. The event was a revival of the annual ‘Long Swim’ which dates back to the 1800's and continued until 1969 with an interruption for the second world war. In the beginning they did not have the benefit of wet suits. It was split into two events 1 mile for ladies and 2 for the male competitors. Each competitor was accompanied by a safety boat and huge crowds would gather on Ray Mead Road, Maidenhead Bridge and along the tow-path to watch the fierce competition for the cup. Open-air swimming was a popular pastime in Maidenhead as the only swimming pool in the town was a lido open to the elements from May to September. Unheated, the water temperature could be as low as 10 degrees at the start of the season, but it still attracted a crowd of hardy teenagers and adults. Swimming stopped each winter and the Long Swim in the Thames marked the end of the season. This year’s Boulter’s to Bray Swim was just as competitive, with trophies presented to both the men’s and ladies’ winners in three categories: Open, Masters and Juniors. Taking part in the Masters event was 74-year-old Mike Hughes, who won the Long Swim in 1967 and 1968. Also present at the trophy presentation was Cynthia Lockie, who won the ladies’ event in 1950. Next year the event will take place on Saturday 6th July 2013. If you fancy taking part in this historic swim, next year’s event will take place on Saturday 6th July 2013. It is open to anyone over the age of 13 capable of 80 lengths of a 25m pool. Entries open on 6 February – visit www.maidenheadswim.co.uk for more details. All disabled entrants must be accompanied by a competent able swimmer. And if you don’t fancy swimming yourself, why not go along and watch from the river bank? It’s a truly spectacular sight definitely worth getting up early for – and you can reward yourself afterwards with a delicious post-race breakfast at Maidenhead Rowing Club. We also have a participant's experience of the day! Ed. June 30th saw the re-emergence of the historic Boulters Lock to Bray swim. It was touch and go all week as to whether the event would actually go ahead due to the huge amount of rain which had taken the Thames to a very high level. Thankfully the organisers saw sense and it was announced that the swim would go ahead. It was an early start for more than 150 competitors who entered the cold muddy water, after a quick safety briefing from the organisers, and drifted downstream the 100m or so to the start. The water was extremely fast flowing, but while the current would make for a very fast swim it made it very hard not to get swept past the start line as we waited for the gun. At 6:30am we were all off at an amazing pace the landmarks on the way flying by past. We had been warned to try and stay in the middle as we passed through one of the arches of Maidenhead bridge this was so as not to get caught in one of the eddies that form around the supports of the bridge. Everyone took heed of the warning and passed through unscathed. As we all flew past the rowing club you could see and hear the support which added an extra boost. The river then opened out and it was a push to the finish trying to stay central to make the most use of the current. The finish, opposite The Waterside Inn at Bray, was a bit of a mad scramble up the muddy bank with tiered arms and legs. The walk back along the river to meet friends and family was full of chatter everyone had had a great swim and a very fast one at that. There were quite a few watchers and admirers this year, even at that time in the morning, including your editor. Rachel Dixon and Chris Ashford
