Sunny Weather For Great River Race Swim

The leading Chiswick swimmer was Simon Griffiths

The 12th annual Great River Swim in aid of Chiswick Sea Cadets was held along Corney Reach on Saturday 31st August.  The first Chiswick resident was Simon Griffiths of Speldhurst Road, who came in 6th overall in a time of 15:16.

The 1000m course required to competitors to swim from Chiswick Pier to Chiswick Eyot and back.  The event was blessed with fine weather and the water temperature was close to 20 deg C.

Simon Griffiths receives his trophy for leading ChiswickW4 resident from race organiser Steve Newell outside sponsors Pissarro.  (photo by Paul Brandon)

A total of 48 swimmers took part and all finished the course without needing any help from the safety boats manned by London Corinthian Sailing Club, Strand-on-the-Green sailing Club and Chiswick Sea Cadets. 

The winner, in a time of 13 mins 21 secs, was Hannah Monaghan of Fulham Pools-based West London Penguins, closely followed by the first male swimmer Darren Cartwright from Hampton Hill.

Planning for the 2014 event has already started.  The distance will be increased to a mile to include a circumnavigation of Chiswick Eyot - a course already swum in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

September 5, 2013