Perry Beaches Swimmers Paul Bates , has once again travelled the country in search of the best open water races in the UK , 2 weeks ago it was the famous BLDSA 9 mile Champion of Champions race in Dover ( he came 3rd ) this weekend it was perhaps the No one open water swim of the year ..!, The blueseventy Henley Classic is a 2.1km swim over the Royal Henley Regatta course, The classic swim is a unique opportunity to swim one of the most famous and beautiful stretches of open water in the world, in fact the event is . Listed in the Top 100 swims in the world. The Henley Swim is without doubt amongst the most iconic challenges
So Paul left this home in the midlands around at 12 midnight to travel the 100 miles to Henley ,and yes we did say midnight .!!! , A key feature of the Henley event is that you arrive in darkness (check in was 2.30am) and the walk the ½ a mile to the start (that’s around 4am) as the sunrise appears, you and the 800 other swimmers most in wetsuits or some like Paul are just wearing costumes are led down the tow path by the torch carrier,then Once the safety briefing is completed you have to enter the inky black water at 4.30 am and wait for the starters gun…Paul said the whole begin of the event before you even is like no other swim I have ever done , its slightly surreal experience The torch-light walk to the start, the mist swirling above the river, the moon full and radiant, the sun just threatening to burst from behind the hill, gives the whole event the feeling of a pagan festival rather than a seriously tough physical test the walk down as the mist came of the surrounding fields ,really felt nervous and exciting at the same time….
The swim its self was hard as the 2.1k distance is held upstream , to make it just that little bit tougher , the swims are set of in waves from elite to fun swimmers , Paul was in the performance wave of 120 swimmers that set off at 4.32 am , 99% of them fast wet suited swimmers Paul was in his trunks , Paul words…the start was manic, arms and legs and swimmers swimming over and through , it was just a big splash for the1st 10 minutes, but after that it settled down , and it became easier to swim and race , also in was getting lighter the closer we got to Henley finish…!! The water temp was good at 17 degrees so did not feel cold at all…almost warm, when I finally finished..!!! I looked around to the beautiful view Henley …it was truly breathtaking at that time of the morning…
Paul has produced a great swim , placing him second in the Open traditional Section on the Race, a great result for the 45 yr old , it also placed him in the top 50 swimmers overall out of 800..!! paul said . The Henley Swim is without doubt amongst the most iconic challenges i have ever done over the past 30yrs of swimming.
it was another amazing swim by the Perry beeches master, who next swim is only 11 days away, when he and his Pip`s Double Channel Team mates take on epic 2 way swim of the English channel in memory of Philippa Thomas from Sutton Coldfield’s who lost her 2 yr battle with Breast Cancer in October 2012…everyone at Perry Beeches wish Paul and lads in there epic swim for Breakthrough Breast Cancer in 11 days time..(If u wishes to support the team there just giving details are http://www.justgiving.com/pipschannelswimteam )
Event Summary Date: Sunday 30th June 2013 Location: Henley-on-Thames Distance: 2.1km river upstream Times: Sat Registrations 2 – 6pm Sunday Registrations 2.00am Safety briefing 4.10am Race start 4.30am Categories: Elite Open Traditional Masters 45-54 Masters 55+ Junior Sporting category — in Henley on Thames, United Kingdom.
Paul pictured with his idol – Graham Bell, 5 times Olympic Skier, who also swam at the Henley Classic.
Here is a YouTube clip of the event: