Open Water Swimming

Open water swimming in the Royal Navy is a growing sport.  The navy are the 2009 Interservice Open Water Champions having the fasted accumilated time for the first three swimmers home during the 5km swim in Lake Bala, North Wales.  They are also the Inter-Service Cross Channel Relay Champions for 2009 completing in a time of 10 hours and 5 minutes.  The navy compete in many civilian competitions throughout the year both nationally and internationally.

Open water swimming, by definition, means a swim in any natural body of water – river, lake or sea.  Open water swimming is classified into short distance, long distance and marathon swimming.  Short distance is any event that is under 1.5km (approx 1 mile) long, long distance is from 1.5km to 25km (about 16 miles) and marathon swimming is any event over 25km.  Finishing a swim, regardless of distance, is the goal that draws many open water swimmers into the sport.  The time taken to complete the event is irrelevant compared to completing the course itself, since the elements will always play a part in changing the course and testing the swimmer.

Open water swimmers have to push themselves through numerous barriers.  Some day’s conditions may be perfect, but the swimmers mind may not be ready to face the swim.  On other days your body may give up.  So why do people jump into the open water?  If you have ever battled and persevered through obstacles you know the feeling of achieving your goal.  This feeling is why open water swimmers keep challenging the elements.

The South East Region Open Water Championships will take place between July and September this year.  Entry details will be available on the SER website in due course, but the dates are:

Sat 17 Jul  Sussex/SER Championships 5k      Location: Eastbourne

Sun 18 Jul Eastbourne Maritime 2k                     Location: Eastbourne

Sat 24 Jul Brighton Pier to Pier 1k                        Location: Brighton

Sat 11 Sep SER Championships 3k and 1.5k  Location: Southsea

Sun 12 Sep Southsea Pier to Pier 2k                  Location: Southsea

The SER Championships are Masters events and age grouped.  You are awarded points for your finishing position in each race.

For more information on events please use the calendar or contact Royal Navy Open Water Swimming at rns1a@fleetfost.mod.uk