Burnham-On-Sea's Stert Island sea swim saved by athletics group

Published: February 6, 2008
Burnham-On-Sea's Stert Island sea swim saved by athletics group

The future of Burnham's annual Stert Island Swim has been safeguarded thanks to a local athletics group.

Nigel Roderick, Leisure Manager at the council, pictured below, confimed to Burnham-On-Sea.com on Wednesday morning (February 6th) that West Country Tri-athletes would be taking over the event.

"I am pleased to tell you that West Country Tri-athletes will be taking over the running of this unique and exciting sporting event. They plan to host it on Sunday 27th July with the start at approximately 1.30pm," he said.

Nigel Roderick "We wish them well and will be providing them with as much help as we can in terms of passing over all the relevant contacts for rescue support, permissions and funding sources."

The annual summer event often attracts a huge crowd of up to 3,000 spectators to Burnham seafront and provides businesses in the town with a financial boost.

Up to eighty swimmers take part in the unique 2,400m race from Burnham beach to Stert Island and back - although last year's event was cancelled due to stormy seas.

The event has in the past been organised by Sedgemoor District Council and supported by the Town Council, English Nature, BARB and the RNLI.

Due to Sedgemoor District Council's budget cutting, due to its £1.8m shortfall, it said earlier this year that it would not be running this year's event.