by sales
28. June 2010 18:24
Christian Pawsey, Ansaback Call Centre Commercial Director, competed in the 2nd annual Great East Swim, at Alton Water near Ipswich recently.
3,000 swimmers braved the 40 mph gusts and driving rain that day, to complete the 1 mile course on the reservoir near Holbrook, Ipswich. 200 people set off at 30 minute intervals, with different coloured swim hats for each wave. Christian, pictured here before the race, was in the ‘sky blue’ wave with the start delayed for 20 mins to wait for the not-so-sky-blue wind and rain to subside.
The choppy waters and horizontal rain eventually died down a little and they all set off, hoping just to complete the course rather than record a good time, as the conditions were so difficult.
One or two brave (!) competitors decided not to wear wetsuits and a Spiderman wetsuit lifted spirits of those waiting to take the plunge...
38 minutes and 22 seconds later, Christian emerged exhausted and relieved after zigzagging round the course and beating last year’s time of 39 minutes. All the training had paid off and the improved time was a personal achievement, especially given the wind, waves and rain that day. “I’ll be back next year” he said.
