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Master’s Times

2007

©ITLang 2007-2008 on behalf of ESLSS

This year's Fairway buoy race proved to be one of the most successful for Devon swimmers in many years. The 4.75 mile sea race is organised by Exmouth Swimming & Life Saving Society. The swim, now in its 44th year, attracts some of the country's top open water swimmers - many are past and prospective Channel swimmers.

The race course sees competitors enter the water on Exmouth seafront then head out to sea to the Fairway buoy which marks the beginning of the Exe estuary. Swimmers then round the buoy and head back to shore.

37 swimmers entered the race, a high class field coming from all over the country, but it was Caroline Ball from Kelly College who powered her way in first place in an impressive time of 1hour 33 mins, 1 minute clear of second placed Nancy Douglas.

Finishing third was first Man home Robert Cook of Cheltenham who completed the course in 1hr 36mins. First Exmouth swimmer home was Olly White, finishing in 1hr 38 mins- taking 6th spot and 4th male.  Exmouth swimmers Ian Lang and Mark Westaway also finished in the top 10, Lang 9th overall and 7th male with Westaway 10th overall and 8th male; Gemma Franks took the trophy for the first Exmouth lady.

Fairway Buoy Swim 2007

Swim secretary Barry Westaway said the popularity of the Exmouth Fairway Buoy swim had increased with more than double the entrants compared to last year's competition and some competitors had to be turned away.

"It's one of the largest open water sea swims in the country, they are few and far between," he said.

"We have had a 110 per cent increase in entries from last year.
"We kept at 37 competitors because of safety, so we didn't have any problems and we will probably keep the race at 40 competitors in the future."

The swim is a stern test as it is still early in the season so temperatures are down and the weather unpredictable.