A total of 176 swimmers braved choppy seas to complete this year’s Pier2Pier Sea Swim across Sandown Bay, with Isle of Wight competitors dominating the results in one of the event’s strongest local performances to date.
Held on Saturday (1st August), the annual Isle of Wight Marlins Swim Club event saw 97 women and 79 men race from beside Sandown Pier to the finish outside Shanklin Rowing Club, covering the 1.8-mile course in warm waters measuring an unexpected 21C.
Although conditions were sunny, the wind strengthened shortly before the start, creating a more challenging swim than many had anticipated – particularly for those taking part in their first open-water event.
Despite the choppy conditions, all but 2 swimmers completed the course, with many praising the challenge afterwards.
Island swimmers claimed 9 of the top 10 finishing places, with Seaclose Swim Club accounting for 6 of those positions and Isle of Wight Marlins taking another 2.
Leading the field was Seaclose Swim Club’s Ben van Der Helstraete, 20, who completed the crossing in an impressive 32 minutes and 46 seconds.
The fastest female swimmer was fellow Seaclose competitor Isobel Muncaster, 18, who finished 6th overall in 36 minutes and 3 seconds.
Another standout performance came from 16-year-old Tilly Everett, the youngest swimmer in the field, who placed 9th overall in 37 minutes and 3 seconds.
At the other end of the age spectrum, 88-year-old Jenny Ball completed the course in 59 minutes and 41 seconds, while Matthew Sussmes, representing Ryde Swimming Club in the 60+ age category, secured an outstanding 3rd place overall in 33 minutes and 24 seconds.
One of the day’s most inspiring achievements came from Nick Thornton, who is deaf, partially sighted and autistic. With one-to-one support from a kayaker and assistance on shore, he successfully completed the full crossing.
This year’s guest of honour was Natasha Lambert BEM, the multi award-winning disabled sailor and adventurer, who presented prizes alongside her father Gary and sister Rachel.
Organisers have thanked the 70 volunteers who supported the event on both land and sea, as well as sponsors Harwood Garage and partner organisations including Sandown Lifeboat Station, Shanklin Rowing Club, Ryde Inshore Lifeboat, Ryde Lifeguards and Wight Responders first aider Bob Gontar.
Full results and additional photographs are available on the Isle of Wight Marlins Swim Club website at www.iowmarlinsswimclub.co.uk/pier2pier-2026/
PHOTO GALLERY:
I hope you made use of the FREE parking outside the old
tourist information centre opposite Sandown Pier
INSIDE A PEDESTRIANISED ZONE
Compliments of the Council and Sandown Bay Town Council
WHILST OTHERS ARE EXPECTED TO PAY TO PARK.
2 TIER PARKING SYSTEM IN SANDOWN.
So you can park on a pavement and not receive a ticket
but if you Mark along the High Street for more than an hour
you will receive a ticket
THAT IS WHAT YOU CALL ISLE OF WIGHT LAW AND ORDER!
Perhaps you didn’t notice, but this is an article about a swimming event. Yet again you have randomly forced one of your petty obsessions into an unrelated topic. Give it a rest FGS, you are so boring.