The annual Castle Swim returns this year, but maintenance work on the Castle Cornet slipway has forced organisers to reroute this favourite summertime fundraiser.
The event, taking place on Sunday 28 July and sponsored by Louvre Group, will for the first time start at the Slaughterhouse slipway and finish at the Horseshoe Pool at La Vallette.
This year’s event will benefit the Guernsey RNLI and the Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association.
All swimmers over the age of 11 years are invited to take part in the open-water swim. The oldest swimmer to complete the course will be presented with the Bill Green Memorial Trophy. The trophy has been presented each year since 1996.
“Louvre is delighted to be once again sponsoring the Castle Swim. We’re hoping for good weather and calm conditions for the swimmers and would encourage everyone to come and take part. The event always has a fantastic atmosphere and is the perfect combination of fun whilst raising money for two very worthy local charities,” says Matthew Gilligan, Client Relationship Manager at Louvre Trust (Guernsey) Limited.
The swim takes on average 25 minutes to complete but the event’s accessibility means it is open to swimmers of all abilities for a minimum donation of £3, with all the proceeds going to the Guernsey RNLI and the Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association.
“The annual Castle Swim is a Guernsey institution and we are so pleased that, despite the Castle slipway maintenance, we have found a solution which means the swim can still go ahead. I would encourage all swimmers to take part regardless of their ability, it is not a race and everyone can swim at their own pace,” says Guernsey Swimming Club Director Jo Norman.
Swimmers can register at the Slaughterhouse slipway from 2.30pm, those wishing to take part are encouraged to download the events Disclaimer Form from the Guernsey Swimming Club website and fill it out in advance to present at the swim registration. Swimmers will set off in groups at timed intervals, the first group of 50 swimmers will begin at 3pm.
