The 2012 Padstow to Rock swim shows
how popular this event has become; the non-elite category was increased for the first time from 200 to 250 swimmers. And it
filled up faster than ever, with many applicants held on a waiting list hoping to get a place. The elite category also filled up so in all 370 swimmers made the crossing. The weather was kinder than last year, the organisation
was even slicker this year and the event was a huge success.
The
atmosphere before the swim built steadily with many emotions on display from excitement to trepidation.
Some participants display
no nerves. Or pants!

The elite swimmers take off between moored
boats at the start of their crossing. For most participants on the day it's a challenge, not a race.....

The non-elite group watch and wait in anticipation of their swim.
They hear over the tannoy that the fastest swimmer completed the course in around 16 minutes. And they also hear that a few
missed the finish ramp and were fighting to get back to it!

The non-elite swimmers follow on, some finishing easily in
elite-class time while others took it at a more leisurely
pace.
|