A total of 64 swimmers completed Burnham-On-Sea’s gruelling Stert Island Swim on Sunday (September 4th), which was won by the race’s organiser.
A large crowd lined the jetty and seafront to watch the annual 2,400m sea race from Burnham to Stert and back, which began at high tide at 11.30am.
Sara Dykes from West Country Triathletes – who has finished second in recent years – was delighted to win this year’s event in a fast time of 30 minutes and 27 seconds. Second was Malcolm Greenslade in 31:40 and third was Paul Watkins in 33:11 (all three are pictured above). Click here for full results.
Sara, who oversees the annual race, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I’m delighted to have won after several years trying! The sea conditions were perfect today and we had a very good turnout of spectators and swimmers.”
The biggest cheers of the day went to 77 year-old Burnham pensioner Roger Venner who completed the swim in one hour, 11 minutes and 16 seconds.
“Roger is such an inspiration to us all and it was brilliant to see him finish today,” added Sara.
Burnham’s Mayor and Mayoress, Michael and Maria Clarke, officially started the event and also handed out ceremonial towels on the finishing line.
The event is supported by the Town Council, BARB, the RNLI, Natural England, Taunton Canoe Club and St John Ambulance Service. Click here for video highlights.
The biggest cheers of the day went to 77 year-old Burnham pensioner Roger Venner who completed the swim
Organiser Sara Dykes splashed across the finishing line in first place
One of the finishing swimmers was congratulated by Sara
The swimmers ran up the beach at the end of the 2,400m swim
Relief and pride showed on the face of this finisher
This swimmer was cheered on by his children as he ran out of the sea
Disabled swimmer Dave Cooke, who was the 2009 European Para Triathlon Champion, also completed the event
Mark Conklin-Cox from Burnham Swim and Sports Academy finishing
This exhausted swimmer cooled off in a pool of water under the jetty!
Warm sunshine welcomed the finishing swimmers at the end of the event
Sara thanked Burnham’s Mayor and Mayoress for their support
Roger Venner, 77, was congratulated by the Mayor and Mayoress
Burnham RNLI were thanked for their support by the organisers
The participants lined up on the beach at the start of Sunday’s race
The swimmers listened to a safety briefing from Martin Rogers just before the start
The swimmers raced down the beach into Bridgwater Bay
The sea conditions were fairly calm for the swim to Stert Island
The swimmers got plenty of encouragement and support. Pic: David Pearce
One of the crowd got a close-up view of the race. Pic: Bill Price
One of the swimmers listening intently at the safety briefing. Pic: Bill Price
RELATED LINKS:
Full guide to the Stert Island Swim
