Experienced swimmers sought as entries open for Lamlash Splash

The Lamlash Splash will take place on Saturday September 20, however, participant numbers are restricted and spaces fill up quickly.

Previous participants of the 1.3mile swim from the Holy Isle to Lamlash pier will receive an email notification and an entry form this weekend.

Organiser Ann Hart said: “As usual there will be 40 available places, 10 of which will be reserved for locals. There has already been interest expressed in taking part for the first time by quite a lot of swimmers so it is essential that, if you want to swim, you submit your entry form and fee as soon as possible to guarantee a place.”

The Lamlash Splash is a gruelling swim which can be made exponentially more difficult if affected by prevailing winds, water temperature, sea current or stinging jellyfish. Entrants should be able to swim 1.3 miles non-stop, preferably front crawl as breast stroke is difficult in a wetsuit in the sea.

Training in the sea in the months prior to the Splash is also essential to get used to swimming in a wetsuit in different sea and weather conditions.

The event is not a competition, however it is timed so that participants can record or improve on their previous times.

Last year, the first swimmer back, Gordon Wallace, completed the swim in 36 minutes – four minutes slower than the previous year - and the first local, who also finished in second place overall, was Rory Hunter who finished in a time of 37 minutes.

In third place, and the first local female to return, was Ruby Johnson who completed her swim in just 41 minutes.