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July
30, 2006
Big crowds watch Burnham-On-Sea's 2006
Stert Island Swim
A
crowd of up to 3,000 people lined Burnham's seafront to watch
the annual Stert Island Swim on Sunday morning (July 30th).
 Dozens
of intrepid swimmers from all over the South West participated
in the 2,400m sea swim to Stert Island and back.
The
challenge is not so much the distance, but the water conditions,
which include tricky currents, cold water and the nearly nil visibility
that the swimmers have to brave. The weather held warm and sunny
for the event.
 The
event was won in a time of 29 minutes and 44 seconds by 33-year-old
Weston-super-Mare man Mark Dunstone (pictured above). Mark told
Burnham-On-Sea.com he was "delighted" to have won, having
taken part in the event twice in the past. He said conditions
were "ideal".
Second
was Matthew Cockill from Shepton Mallet in a time of 29 minutes
59 seconds, and third was Jo Beament from Bristol. Fourth was
Malcolm Greenslade from Lyme Regis; fifth was Andy Dutton from
Bath; sixth was Tom Fisher Bristol; seventh was Lee Portingale
from Bristol. Full results are available by clicking
here.
 First
lady home was Anne-Maree Redwood from Tiverton (pictured below)
in a time of 33 minutes, 43 seconds, who told Burnham-On-Sea.com:
"I found it great - I thought it would be a lot more difficult
than this. I'm really pleased to be the first woman."
The
oldest participant was 72 year-old Roger Venner from Burnham-On-Sea.
 Dozens
of craft and charity stalls were also set up along The Esplanade
throughout the day.
Sedgemoor
District Council, which organised the event, thanked Burnham and
Highbridge Town Council, King Alfred Sports Centre, BARB - The
Burnham Hovercraft group, Wessex Ambulance Service, Burnham RNLI,
English Nature, Somerfield and KwikSave for their help.
The
oldest participant - 72 year-old Roger Venner from Burnham-On-Sea
- completed the swim for the seventh time and told us it was his
"easiest yet".
The
event's two winners, Mark Dunstone and Anne-Maree Redwood, celebrated.
Winners
Mark Dunstone and Anne-Maree raised their hands in victory!
The
first three men home celebrated.
Disabled
participant David Cooke from Taunton completed the swim in under
an hour and received one of the loudest cheers of the day as he
finished.
Time
keepers from Sedgemoor District Council kept tabs on the finishers.
Big
crowds lined Burnham's jetty to watch the swim.
The
beach and jetty were filled with spectators from across the area.
A
wide range of stalls along the seafront selling cards and crafts
were busy throughout the morning.
RELATED
LINKS:
Online
video of the start and finish of the 2006 swim
2006
Stert Island Swim Results
2005
Stert Island Swim Results
2004
Stert Island Swim Results
2003
Stert Island Swim Results
More information about Stert
Island
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