Entries are now open for the ‘Mezeron Manx Mile’ Open Water Swim.
It’s on Saturday 30th June 2012, 12midday registration for 1pm race start, at Chapel Beach, Port St Mary, Isle of Man. If you aren’t familiar with the Island, type “The Promenade, Port St Mary” into google maps and you’ll find where we are.
Online entries only, through SiEntries at https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=742
Distances are Junior (12-u16) 800m; Novice (16+) 800m; Senior (16+) 1600m (2 laps of the junior course), run under BLDSA rules, with categories for wetsuit and costume swims. Entries close 25 June. We’re using electronic timing chips this year, so entries are limited at present although we may add extra waves if there is high demand.
The swim is part of the “Isle of Man Queenie Festival – A Celebration of the Sea” with lots of other events including the Sure Beach Party the night before the swim, bands, food stalls, crafts, water events, and a party on the Saturday evening after the swim. There will be a group fun-swim on the Sunday morning as well, unless we have had to psotpone the race to Sunday morning in the event of poor weather on the Saturday.
There are links for travel and accommodation on the Queenie Festival website http://www.queeniefestival.com
For anyone wanting to get some practice in beforehand, we meet at the slipway near the Bay pub, Port Erin every Sunday all year round, come snow or (occassional) sun at 10.30 for a group swim. Please be aware the group swims are in the public beach area, but are at your own risk and don’t have safety boat cover. It’s still quite cold in the sea, around 8degC rising to around 13degC by the time of the race, so wetsuits would be recommended if you haven’t been in regularly as we swim for around 20-30minutes, but we go for a hot chocolate in the cafe afterwards though!
For tips and discussion, our Facebook page is athttp://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/220235938083/ or search for IOM Open Water Swimming Club.
Anyone wanting to use the swim as a charity fundraiser is more than welcome, or help us support our local Channel Relay Team raising money for Aspire Spinal Injuries through http://www.justgiving.com/teams/aspiremanxminkes
If you are a kayaker or boat handler who is able to help with safety cover, please get in touch.
We will be holding a second race 2 weeks later on 14th July 2012 as part of the Port Erin Beach Festival and Sport Regatta, with details to follow shortly.