Dozens turn out for Albert Dock plunge

Dec 26 2007

STEELY swimmers again braved freezing temperatures to take part in the traditional Albert Dock Boxing Day plunge.

Dozens turned out for the annual swim which was organised through the City of Liverpool Swimming Club and the Liverpool Heartbeat charity.

Men, women and youngsters took part in the city’s 20th annual event and raised money for various good causes.

English Channel swimmer Jimmy Tinsley organised the inaugural event two decades ago to raise cash for Alder Hey Children's Hospital and has attracted high profile names such as Steve Parry.

A total of 36 hardy souls braved the cold waters, which started at 11.30am yesterday, with ages ranging from 12 upwards.

Nick Robinson, 30, from Wallasey, secretary of the swimming club and co-organiser of the swim said he was pleased with this year’s turnout.

He said: “This is a Christmas get-together. People involved in open water swimming only see each other from May to September, then we lose touch. So this is a good time to come together again.

“Today is preparation for next season. Some people come from the Wirral and some people come from Liverpool.

He added: “It’s not really a proper swim though, more a case of strip off, jump in and get out again. Most of the people here do long distance swimming.

“Some go on the slip way. Some use the jetty and some go off the wall. The wall seems to be the most popular. The whole idea is to swim back to the slip way. It’s good fun and raises lots of money for charities at the same time.”

Brothers Liam and Sean Hanlon, took part raising funds for Liverpool Heartbeat.

Liam, 40, from West Kirby, said: “There are 14 lads from the Tri-4- life taking part today.”

Sean, from Rock Ferry, 41, said: “This is my seventh race here. We don’t take it seriously, but I’m nervous because it’s freezing. Later this year I’ll swim the English Channel so this is just a small event and great fun too.

Spirits were high among women swimmers, and Deborah Rowley, 35, from Prenton, said she did the race for “a laugh” and added: “Anything extreme we will do it. We have done the Wensleydale marathon and we got a piece of cheese at the end of it. In the summer we will do a 2.52 mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and full marathon. That should take about 13 hours.”

Christine Newbury, 38, from Wallasey, said: “This is my fourth race. We are a bit nervous. We swim here in the summer and today is challenge. We are a bit apprehensive because it’s cold.

“We don’t fancy jumping off the wall because there are broken bottles at the bottom. There are jelly fish in there, but apparently they don’t bite.”

The swimmers got changed at the side of the dock as friends and family gave them words of encouragement.

It took 10 minutes to complete and finishers received a bowl of chicken soup at the Liverpool Arms on James Street.