Competitors tackle fifth annual Great Wye Swim

May 21, 2018

More than 60 competitors took the plunge in Monmouth School Sports Club’s charity fund-raising Great Wye Swim.

Michael Lewis and Lydia Stratford were in excellent form, winning the male and female wetsuit categories of the 2km swim, which included a tough 500m upstream section.

Emily Harper triumphed in the female 2km non wetsuit event as a total of 65 hardy souls braved the River Wye on Sunday 13th May.

The fifth Great Wye Swim included a 1km downstream swim from St Peter’s Church and ended at the steps of Monmouth School for Boys’ Rowing Club.

Leon Meek achieved first place in the male 1km wetsuit swim, with Katie Allen taking the honours in the female section.

Killian Walley won the male 1km male non wetsuit discipline, with Josie Parkinson taking the plaudits in the female category.

Two other main award winners were Bill Parry and Sharon Neville, who collected greatest endeavour medals for male and female swimmers.

The Great Wye Swim was the brainchild of Teresa Tranter, who works at Monmouth School Sports Club. This year it raised more than £1,000 for the Forest of Dean Inferno Explorer Scouts.

Organiser Mr Iain MacDonald, who manages the sports club, said: “Forest of Dean Inferno Explorer Scouts are a particularly worthy cause because they have helped us run the event safely every year by supplying and manning the safety boats on the river since the swim was started.”

Mr MacDonald thanked Aqua Sphere Swimming Equipment and Clothing Company for supplying all the swimming caps and prizes for the event.

He added: “We were very proud to be part of the River Festival this year and the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Office were helpful in marketing the swim and donating some special prizes for the swimmers.”

Award winners:
1km male wetsuit: Leon Meek: 13.28.
1km female wetsuit: Katie Allen: 13.15.
1km male non wetsuit: Killian Walley: 13.18.
1km female non wetsuit: Josie Parkinson: 15.06.
2km male wetsuit: Michael Lewis: 20.26.
2km female wetsuit: Lydia Stratford: 20.56.
2km female non wetsuit: Emily Harper 28.25.
Greatest endeavour male: Bill Parry.
Greatest endeavour female: Sharon Neville.