Perry Beeches open water Swimmer Paul Bates, last weekend joined 300 other Swimmers at the one the UKs most scenic open water swimming events The Big Cotswold Swim and came away with an amazing 2nd place overall.
The Beeches Swimmer’s left in the very early hours on Saturday morning to travelled the 90 mile from the midlands to Waterland Outdoor Centre in the scenic Cotswold Water Park which was to host the Big Cotswold Swim over the weekend, the event features one-mile and two-mile races.
More than 300 swimmers took part, with slightly fewer opting to swim one mile rather than two. Local swimming and triathlon clubs such as Stroud, Swindon, Cirencester, Cheltenham and Gloucester were strongly represented but a good number of swimmers came from further afield such as Exeter, Newbury and Hereford and off course the midlands..!
The Beeches Swimmer’s took part in the epic two-mile race , and after 40 minutes head to head racing with Stuart Morrish from City of Hereford SC , Paul had had to settle for an amazing 2nd place finish overall and 1St place in 45-49 age group in great time 42.32 for the 2 miles swim
The cool and wet weather didn’t make a good day for spectators but for swimmers it was warmer in than out. “There are not many sporting events where the top women finish so close to the men or where the 40 and 50+ lead the way, but it was nice to see, for a change, at the Big Cotswold Swim and made for a great atmosphere at the finish,” says a spokesperson for TriFerris, the event organiser.
The Beeches Swimmer’s next open water events are this weekend , on Saturday paul does The Man Of Steel Auqabike event at Eton Dorney lake in Windsor, and on Sunday it’s the west midlands open water 3k championships in Bosworth lake in Leicestershire
And here’s the link to Big Rick’s Blog on this event:-
http://bigrickchannelswimteam.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/the-big-cotswold-swim-2014.html