We are delighted to announce that (subject to ratification) Michael Higgins has completed his first and our 150th ice mile this morning ( all miles below are STR )
Michael was the 6th ice mile attempt of the day, with Judith McGregor Harper being the first icy swim of the day and completing her mile in 31.26 a week after her awesome results at the World Championships in Molveno.
The second swimmer of the morning was Jane Drummond who had unfinished ice mile business left over from Loch Morlich in December, Jane completed her mile in another impressive time of 35.54, recovering well.
Our third swimmer was Derek Bissett who completed his mile in 30.02, a really impressive swim and just a few seconds over his sub 30 dream swim time.
Next up was Kristen Lackjis who sailed through her swim in 38.28, completely oblivious of the fact that her support boat and crew had been swapped over due to engine trouble.
Our second to last swimmer of the day was Caroline Jones, Caroline finished her swim in 41.23 with a gathering Baltic breeze on the lake, recovery was interesting, I don’t think Ally will press assault charges but needless to say none of our male ice milers would have been granted similar liberty.
Then after two hours waterside and 12 years of facilitating ice miles, Michael brought us to our 150th mile, completing his ice cold swim in 41.09., air temp 3ºC with the water a pleasant 4.3ºC
We started our ice mile adventures at Treeton Dyke in Rotherham and then moved to Harthill Reservoir after we established Yorkshire Outdoor Swimmers with Jessica and Ian, the early days quickly taught us what worked and what didn’t and we honed our skills on the support boats and in the recovery room, ensuring we provided the best care for our swimmers. Today as then we have had the huge advantage of a fantastic team around us, piloting the boats and being on standby in a drysuit ready to recover those swimmers who didn’t quiet make it, to running the timing, taking the videos and photos and ensuring the recovery room runs like clockwork, too many to mention by name, you know who you are and we are eternally grateful, not one of the 150 miles would have been done without your commitment and participation, so we thank you for everything you have done and do for us.
Our last thanks to Ram Barkai for creating IISA and for 12 years of standing lakeside / in a boat in freezing cold conditions watching crazy people swim, it’s been magic.
200 here we come….