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Competitive |
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Master’s Times 2007 |
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©ITLang 2007-2010 on behalf of ESLSS |
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Exmouth Swimming and Lifesaving Society open water swimmer Mark Westaway became the first man to swim from Exmouth to Brixham on Sunday 20th July.
Westaway completed the 17 mile swim as part of his training for a channel swim this summer. Accompanied by family and friends on an escort boat piloted by Exmouth deputy lifeboat coxswain Steve Hocking-Thompson, Westaway swam from the New Exe Estuary buoy to Brixham in a time of 8hrs 38min 55secs. The only other person to have completed the swim is Jane Soloman.
Mark faced some rough and cold conditions through the swim. The swim started in calm seas early on Sunday morning but conditions changed with the North Westerly wind picking up to a force 3-4 with force 5 gusts. These changing weather conditions made the sea rough, with a large swell. Coach Alan Franks said, “he was pleased with the way Mark dealt with the changing conditions throughout the swim which proved he has got what it takes to complete an English Channel crossing.”
As Mark approached Sholstone Beach, where he would make his landing, strong tides made it difficult to make any headway. Having already been swimming for over 7.5 hours Mark battled physically and mentally to get to his landing point; proving that he has what it takes to be successful when he swims the channel next month.
Mark travels to Dover on the 5th August in preparation to swim the channel between the 6th and 13th.
Click here for pictures and stats from the swim compiled by open water coach Alan Franks. |
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Mark Westaway’s Brixham Swim 08 |
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Exmouth |
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Swimming and Life Saving Society |
