Club to Pub Swimmers Complete Course Within Two Bells

169 swimmers took part in the first Club to Pub Swim on Saturday night supported by Brakspears.  The 1500 metre swim started at Henley Rowing Club and finished at The Angel on the Bridge in dry and calm river conditions, with the water temperature at a cool 19 degrees.

The Club to Pub Swim is the latest addition to Henley Swim’s series of summer swims. It was open to swimmers of all levels, though the challenge was to complete the course between the 7 o’clock evening chime of St. Mary’s Church and the next one at 8 o’clock.  Brakspears brewed a commemorative beer ‘Two Bells’ which was given to all the finishers at The Angel on the Bridge along with a special medal which doubled up as a bottle opener.

Swimmers included Councillor Will Hamilton, friends Paul and Nikkie Allen from Henley and Joel Morgan from Rugby who were using the swim as a training event for a Triathlon they are competing in Austria.  Another competitor, Rob Chasteraunef, Head Chef at the Bull on Bell Street said, “This is the first river swim I’ve done and I’m really pleased to have completed the course.”

Mark Dunlop, landlord of the Angel on the Bridge also organised a great barbecue for all the finishers to enjoy after their swim.  They was a really great atmosphere with everyone cheering the swimmers in.

There were four categories for swimmers – men and women, traditional (without wetsuits) and open.  The winning man, Dan Abel won, without a wetsuit, the men’s race in just 16 minutes and 17 secs.  The Mayor, Martin Akehurst was there to congratulate all the swimmers.

The results were as follows:

Men

Dan Abel (Without Wetsuit) 16 mins 17 secs

Andrew Lane (With Wetsuit) 17 mins 33 secs

Women

Amanda Read (With Wetsuit) 16 minutes 47 secs

Hannah Monaghan (Without Wetsuit) 17 minutes 33 secs