Swim2Bestival

Delboy swims the Solent for charity and a free Bestival ticket!

3.5 miles in cold, choppy waters across a busy ferry route…

Our very own Delboy was among 12 festival goers who opted to swim 3.5 miles across the incredibly cold, choppy waters of the Solent from Gosport to Ryde, Isle of Wight, in aid of charity. The event, Swim2Bestival, aims to help raise awareness and money for 3 great causes: Imbala which supports putting underprivileged children through their education in South Africa; St Catherine’s, a national charity working with children and young people with speech, language and communication disabilities and; Christopher’s Smile, a campaign set up at The Institute of Cancer Research which is run by the parents of a 5-year old child called Christopher who died in June this year from a childhood cancer called ‘medulloblastoma’.

Swim2Bestival is the brainchild of Colin Tabram, who hails from Salford, Manchester. Colin (or Tabbers as he is more commonly known), a long-term and loyal Bestivaller thought it would great fun to swim to the event. In 2007, Tabbers approached Bestival curator and renowned BBC1 DJ, Rob da Bank, to pitch his idea of swimming to Bestival for a good cause. Rob da Bank welcomed the idea and gave permission for the use of the name Bestival in the event’s name.

What started as a bit of a laugh has turned into a super serious swim!!! Approx. 3.5 miles in cold, choppy waters across a busy ferry route from Gosport to Ryde, Isle of Wight. So, it’s clearly not the most leisurely of swimming conditions but this is all part of the challenge.

Swim2Bestival 2009 started out on the beach at Gosport & Farhem Inshore Rescue unit, where the swimmers met their safety and support crews and paddlers and received safety guidance and pep talk from Swim2Bestival 2007 swimmer, Paul Dodd. Each swimmer was paired off with a paddler, or kayaker, whose purpose was purely to shadow the swimmer and remain by their side in case they required water or a snack during their epic journey as well as providing first hand support should the need arise. Needless to say, we didn’t want Delboy going with out vital sustenance (or humour) so we left him a few kinds words on a banana to see him through!

Before departing the swimmers and paddlers had time to pose quickly for the camera and all of their supporters as well as the local paper and nominated charity, Christopher’s Smile! Delboy pictured 5th from left above.

The swimmers set off at 1 minute intervals on their cold, wet journey and having been advised to head towards Ryde’s tallest spire, vaguely visible on the horizon, which would be their landing point. Dazzling blue skies and bright sunshine blessed their route and provided an amazing vista albeit slightly deceptive in that Ryde appeared at lot closer than it was in reality!

All swimmers completed their swim safely and in good spirits although many confessed the last 30 minutes to be the worst; a strong rising tide meant they had to swim against it and to mentally overcome the ever-teasing finish – so close yet still so far!

Upon their arrival in Ryde, the swimmers posed for another quick photo op, Delboy pictured 3rd from left below, shouting “We swam to Bestival!” – transport to the festival venue was laid on and it’s pretty safe to say all swimmers were looking forward to a celebratory beer (or three). BBC1 DJ, Rob da Bank presented them with medals on stage at Bestival to celebrate their formidable achievements and an after-party was hosted by DJ Paul ‘Trouble’ Arnold who was among this year’s Swim2Bestival swimmers.

Huge thanks go to the many, many Swim2Bestival supporters, in particular: 4Charter for their constant commitment to the cause and provision of the mother ship and safety ribs; Roger Davies (AQHM-Portsmouth), for being an eternal guiding light and all of his invaluable advice and; Sam Lloyd, beneficiary of 2008, provider of essential guidance and tidal advice.