BRITISH LONG DISTANCE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION 2013 ANNUAL REPORT www.bldsa.org.uk Page 1 Table of Contents Officers Reports ................................................................................................................................................... 3 Presidents Report ......................................................................................................................................................... 3 Hon. General Secretary’s Report ................................................................................................................................ 6 Hon. Membership Secretary’s Report ........................................................................................................................ 7 Hon. Recorder’s Report............................................................................................................................................... 8 Hon. Publicity Officer’s Report ................................................................................................................................ 10 Hon. Safety Officer’s Report ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Hon. Rescue Boat Coordinator’s Report .................................................................................................................. 11 Hon. Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Officer’s Report .............................................................................. 11 Hon. Insignia Secretary’s Report .............................................................................................................................. 12 Hon. Dinner Secretary’s Report ............................................................................................................................... 13 Hon. Trophy Secretary’s Report .............................................................................................................................. 13 Hon. Sport and Recreation Alliance Liaison Officers Report ................................................................................ 14 Championship Reports ...................................................................................................................................... 15 Colwick Park .............................................................................................................................................................. 15 Llyn Tegid (Bala) ....................................................................................................................................................... 16 Champion of Champions ........................................................................................................................................... 21 Wykeham Lake .......................................................................................................................................................... 23 Torbay ......................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Coniston Water Senior and Junior ........................................................................................................................... 26 Coniston Veterans ...................................................................................................................................................... 27 2-Way Windermere.................................................................................................................................................... 30 Ullswater ..................................................................................................................................................................... 31 Windermere ................................................................................................................................................................ 32 St Mary’s Loch ........................................................................................................................................................... 34 River Dee .................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Grand Prix .................................................................................................................................................................. 37 Affiliated Club Reports ...................................................................................................................................... 41 City of Liverpool ........................................................................................................................................................ 41 Barrow LDSC ............................................................................................................................................................. 43 Warrington Dolphins Long Distance Swimming Club ............................................................................................ 44 Howe Bridge Marlins LDSC ..................................................................................................................................... 49 East Dorset Open Water Swimming Club................................................................................................................ 50 Jersey Long Distance Swimming Club ..................................................................................................................... 51 Exmouth Swimming and Life Saving Society .......................................................................................................... 53 Isle of Man Open Water Swimming Club ................................................................................................................ 54 Isle of Wight Marlins Swim Club ............................................................................................................................. 57 Ye Amphibious Ancient Bathing Association .......................................................................................................... 58 Minutes of the 56th Annual General Meeting................................................................................................... 61 Page 2 Officers Reports Presidents Report It has been a very hectic season for me, following the AGM in Dundee, during the drive back home over the Tay Bridge with a blizzard blowing up, I thought, “I hope this is not a taste of things to come for our swimmers this season”. So soon came the start of the season and now a little taster of each of the swims, with lots more to read in each report by the swim secretary’s. Colwick Park, Nottingham blazing sunshine and plenty of sunscreen needed, a circuit swim in a picturesque location. Many thanks to our new swim Secretary Peter Hawksworth and team Diane Stack and Steve Godber for a splendid event new to the BLDSA calendar. But it was not new to some of the entrants as Margaret Smith, Jean Wilkin-Oxley and the Sec Peter had been at the inaugural event in 1990 when the swim was run by a local swimming club. Wykeham Lake, nr Scarborough a bit overcast but with some sunshine and a good field saw a fine day of swimming. Once again very well organised by Liane and her crew and perhaps we may be able to venture into the newly opened part of the quarry in the next few years. Champion of Champions, Dover, a well known location in Dover harbour surrounded by the ubiquitous white cliffs and a fly past by the last flying Vulcan from the RAF’s fleet made for an interesting day. There were a few problems during the day and the weather did not help matters. There were some teething problems with the new GPS equipment and despite several anchors and weights in the water, the buoys were not being helpful by moving around in the rising wind, but more of all this in the swim secretary’s report later. Despite the problems, an enjoyable albeit challenging event. Torbay, unfortunately due to the low numbers of entries and the logistics this event had to be cancelled for 2013. I would like to thank Peter Larrad for all his efforts in trying to keep this swim going. I know somewhere out there, someone is itching to get to grips with this event and Peter has said that he wants to help any new swim secretary get this swim back in the water again. So what are you waiting for don’t just think someone else will take it on and please don’t complain if a volunteer cannot be found, you could step up and stamp your authority on it. I have asked Peter to start the ball rolling and get the slot booked for the event with the authorities, which he has agreed to do. Bala, North Wales, two days of glorious sunshine in Wales, I kid you not, never before air temperatures and the water a balmy 24.5 degrees apparently 10 degree warmer than 2012. All swims were away “on time” and with the usual banter between those in the water and on the shore. Coniston, this year saw an amalgamation of both Senior and Junior Coniston and it worked very well under the firm control of Jean Wilkin-Oxley and her committee. Over the years the numbers of juniors taking part in the stand alone Junior Coniston event had reduced and 2012 saw only 1 entrant so it was agreed to combine the two events to save on time and logistics. We did get two entrants this year and we hope for more