By Mark Ormrod
For some reason a lot of people don’t like the idea of swimming in the sea. Maybe they think it’s going to be too cold, or they are worried something might bite their toe. But really there’s nothing better than a nice open-water swim. Add to that the chance to help your favourite charity and perhaps seeing a couple of new Guinness World Records, and it’s a no-brainer.
On Sunday October 2nd we are taking to the beautiful seas of Firestone Bay down here in Plymouth. We have set up an awesome swimming route close to Devil’s Point, one of the landmarks of the Devon coast. We want people of absolutely any ability level to join in, so there will be the option of swimming either 250 metres, 500 metres, or for those who really fancy getting after it, 1000 metres.
It will be really fun, and we are hoping in the process to raise a fair bit of money to help the REORG cause. On the link below, we are inviting people to either set up their own Just Giving pages, or they are welcome to use the fundraising link that we’ve been running through all these challenges to further the cause and help out serving military, emergency services and veterans.
As some of you may know, I did a 1000m swim last year – well actually it was 1200m, because I messed up and went the wrong way, but that’s another story. After some back and forth with the powers that be at Guinness, I know that an open-water swim of 1000m is a record for a triple amputee.
Sadly, mine didn’t count as I didn’t have the correct GPS monitoring and filming that you need to confirm a record. But this year, it’s going to be different. Well at least I hope so, I don’t get to swim quite as much as I’d like to right now for several reasons, not least doing a lot of jiu-jitsu for the upcoming inaugural REORG open this weekend, where I am very exciting to be competing for the first time.
But I am not complaining, and I’m still confident I can nail the swim. And as well as my record attempt, my coach and training partner Ben Wadham will be attempting a record of his own, with a timed 1000m swim pulling a weighted kayak. That does sound tough. But tougher than swimming the whole thing with just one arm? Doubt it mate.
It’s not about the records, though. We just want as many people as possible to come along, have a little swim and maybe make some money for charity while we are there. It’s late summer so the water will be bracing, but not too cold. And if you are a complete novice we will have trained professionals on-hand to make sure you are looked after on your first sea swim.
If you click on the link below we will set you up with reminders and training tips to get you ready for the day. Happy training, and I hope to see as many of you there as possible. And if for any reason you can’t make it down to Plymouth, we would still love you to take part and fundraise for REORG – you can take part in your local swimming pool, but please still click on the link and let us know what you are up to.
SIGN UP FOR SWIM HERE:
Mark was talking to Richard Holt
