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Master’s Times

2007

©ITLang 2007-2008 on behalf of ESLSS

It is not a sport for the faint hearted, in fact winter swimming is a test of courage, mental strength and sanity! But it is also a sport at which Exmouth can now boast a world champion.

 

The World Winter Swimming Championships came to London’s Tooting Bec Lido last weekend and Exmouth was represented by 5 swimmers from Exmouth Swimming & Life Saving Society.

 

This was the first time the competition had been held outside its native Finland. The sport began by simply cutting a hole in the ice in which the competitors swam. In comparison, the 6 degree waters of the Lido seemed almost tropical but in reality it was still very cold indeed.

 

Swimming the regulation head up breastroke over 25m, Tara Dudley and Gemma Franks took to the water and qualified 1st and 4th respectively for the Ladies under 30 ‘A’ final. In the final itself it was Franks who stepped up to the mark and stormed to victory to be crowned World Champion. In a tight finish, Dudley touched in second place to complete a remarkable 1-2 for Exmouth and Great Britain.

 

Channel swimmer Olly White, more accustomed to cold water, also qualified for the A final in the men’s 30-40 age group. Going into the race as 5th fastest White improved to finish in 4th place, first Brit home behind a trio of cold water specialists from Finland.

 

Ian Lang and Mark Westaway swam in the men’s under 30 competition. This was a competitive age group with only tenths separating the majority of swimmers. Westaway narrowly missed out on a place in the finals but Lang finished 9th overall.

 

It was Westaway who took on the longer challenge of the 60m freestyle. Mark, who is preparing for a channel attempt this summer, made light work of the course and finished in a respectable 7th place.

 

Although, this was a one off event in our country, the team is considering travelling to Finland next year in order to compete again and defend their world title.

World Winter Swimming Championships 08