The West Wight Solent Swim is happening this weekend (Sunday).
To qualify you have to be able to do 100 laps in the pool at the West Wight Sports and Community Centre in Freshwater.
This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the charity and has raised more than £200,000 since it started in 2011.
With the largest-ever fleet of swimmers taking part, this year’s total is set to be a record.
“I plan the event in partnership with Dave Lutas and James Batchelor, of IW Canoe Club, and the support of Freshwater Independent Lifeboat”
A fleet of experienced kayakers, plus motorboats and lifeboats, escort the swimmers.
Newcomer to the event, Marianne Su-Yin has been training for the Solent Swim since February, when the sea was at its coldest. She said:
"I had never had formal swimming lessons, so I have had to learn how to swim properly without sinking. I swim five days a week, in the sea or pool, plus a spot of running and weight training for strength and yoga for mobility. Since February, I have swum 72 miles in the sea.”
London barrister Charlie Bagot has been the fastest swimmer a number of times in recent years. He said:
“This is my sixth Solent Swim, I have been the first swimmer to reach Colwell four times. I enjoy supporting the WWSCC — an amazing organisation, which provides great facilities and opportunities.”
Until this year, the swims have always been in the morning, with swimmers gathering at first light at Yarmouth.
As previously reported, it was cancelled twice last year. Now the event is happening on Sunday afternoon.
The event raised nearly £12,000 for the charity last year.
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