5 members of Ryde Swimming Club Masters have completed open-water challenges at the Great North Swim in Lake Windermere.
Linda Briant, Maz Morgan, Sandy Ciccognani, Caroline Robertson and Richard Robertson travelled to the Lake District this month to take part in one of the UK’s biggest open-water swimming events.
The Ryde swimmers completed distances ranging from 1 mile to 5km over the event weekend on 12th and 14th June, with support from fellow club member and coach Mick Jenner, as well as family and friends who made the journey to Cumbria.
For some of the group, it was their 1st organised open-water event, while for most it was their 1st large lake swim. Despite fairly choppy conditions on Lake Windermere, all 5 completed their swims successfully.
Among the standout achievements was that of Maz Morgan, who completed the 2-mile swim just 12 weeks after undergoing a hip replacement operation.
Sandy Ciccognani also reached a personal milestone, completing her 1st long-distance lake swim. Having previously swum in the sea around the Isle of Wight, she adapted well to the conditions and enjoyed the chance to take on a different open-water challenge.
Richard Robertson said after finishing:
“I really enjoyed it and I’m already looking forward to the next challenge.”
A spokesperson for Ryde Swimming Club Masters said:
“This was a fantastic achievement for all 5 swimmers. For some, it was their 1st experience of an organised open-water event and they handled the conditions brilliantly. The support from fellow club members, friends and family made the weekend even more special.
“Events like this show what can be achieved with encouragement, coaching and the support of a club. Swimming clubs offer much more than training sessions. They provide friendship, motivation and the confidence to take on challenges that people might never have thought possible.”
Several members of the group are now preparing for their next event, the Isle of Wight Marlins’ annual Pier 2 Pier Swim on 1st August.
For the Ryde swimmers, the Great North Swim provided a successful weekend, lasting memories and plenty of motivation for future open-water challenges.
