The Duncan Newby Surf Swim Challenge 2021
1st September 2021
Perranporth Surf Lifesaving Club House
Perranporth , Cornwall
The Duncan Newby Swim Challenge 2021
Closing Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2021 - 23:59
Perranporth Surf Life Saving Club proudly presents the return of the Duncan Newby Perranporth Surf Swim Challenge 2021
The Duncan Newby Perranporth Surf Swim is a new unique, non-competitive SLSGB team event, representing the ethos of Perranporth SLSC - a challenge requiring team spirit and co-operation.
Entry is in teams of 4, 5 or 6 – each team having at least one designated rescue board paddler providing board rescue support.
In essence a simple 3000m endurance sea swim - but by entering and swimming as a team, rather than individually, introduces a key characteristics of a surf lifesaving – enduring your own physical challenge while maintaining awareness of the conditions and performance of those around you.
We wish you all the best swimming in the exposed conditions of the Atlantic Coast, and look forward to seeing you on the beach in June!
Event Details:
3 km surf swim
Swim the length of Perranporth Beach – from the northern end at Penhale Corner, finishing in front of the Perranporth SLSC clubhouse.
Minimum Entry Requirements:
All entrants to be current SLSGB members
Swimmers - valid SLSGB Tube Rescue Qualification.
Board paddlers - valid Level 2 Board Competency.
Event Schedule:
Registration: 17:00 - 17:45 - Perranporth SLSC
Race briefing: 18:30 – Penhale Corner
Race Start: 18:45 – Mass water start
Please note that the starting point is 2.5km from registration. It will not therefore be possible to accommodate late registrations - you won’t make it to the start on time.
Entry Fee:
£10 per Swimmer. Online Entry closes 23:59 Tuesday 31st Aug 2021
Event Format Overview:
Having registered at Perranporth SLSC entrants will make their way along the beach to Penhale Corner. A trailer will transport rescue boards.
Having collected boards, teams assemble on the beach at Penhale Corner to be checked in by the event marshals, for the Event briefing.
Board Paddlers will enter the water 3 minutes before swimmers to keep boards and swimmers apart in the surf zone.
Beyond the surf zone Teams regroup at a starting point as directed by the Water Safety Officer – with teams holding boards.
When all teams are safely assembled the Water Safety Officer will start the event with a mass start.
Teams swim/paddle south, parallel to the shore and outside the break zone, to a marker buoy in front of Perranporth SLSC.
Swimmers turn at the buoy and head to shore.
To keep swimmers and boards apart in surf zone, at the buoy the water safety will split board paddlers and direct them to return to shore 50m further along the beach from the swimmers.
Teams regroup on the beach for the finish. All team members should be with the board at the finish.
Note sea conditions will be assessed prior to the event, which may lead to a shortening or reversing of the swim course.
FAQ:
Is the event a race?
No, the event is specifically not a race. The event follows a similar approach to Parkrun – the event will be timed, but there will be no winner.
This is a deliberate decision, as the ethos of the challenge is as a team event, and staying together during the swim is a key requirement of participation. Swimming and staying as a group in open water is one of the unique challenges of this event. We have removed the pressure of competition so that participants can concentrate on a different aspect of SLS skills in this event.
Can we have more than one board paddler in the team?
Absolutely. While there will only be one rescue board per team, as a team challenge, we encourage you to think about how you wish to complete the challenge. Some swimmers may want to swim the whole length as a challenge, supported by a board paddler as rescue cover, while for others the team could take it in turns to paddle the board. Our only requirement will be that the team stays together for the duration of the event.
Why are there Minimum Entry Requirements?
The format of the event over a long section of exposed Cornish Coast requires careful consideration of how it can be achieved safely. We have worked with SLSGB to devise a format that uses the buddying principles of water cover, so that all participants have a recognised level of competency in surf conditions.
As a SLSGB sanctioned event, all entrants must be current SLSGB members - swimmers having a current SLSGB Tube Rescue Qualification, and designated board paddlers a current Level 2 Board Competency.
Working with SLSGB, Perranporth SLSC is then able to provide event co-ordination and the overarching water cover using IRB and Board Paddlers to provide liaison between the IRB and the entrants – with the board paddler being able to support swimmers if required and call in the event watercover team as required.
Furthermore part of the ethos of the event is to encourage people to develop their skills and increase surf confidence through SLSGB recognised qualifications.
Why on a Friday evening?
A lot of thought has gone into how to make this event as safe as possible. Perranporth is an exposed beach, with strong tidal currents. Moreover for safety and to make the event work, we need full beach access, which can’t be achieved at high tide.
We’re therefore timing the event to coincide with a falling neap tide in the summer. For those interested on the 1st September High Tide is at 13:10 BST, and Low Tide 18:02BST. By holding the event on a falling tide, beach access is ensured, and the tidal current is moving from North to South, with the direction of the swim.
About Duncan Newby:
Duncan Newby was an Honorary Life Member of the Club, Lifeguard & Competitor for over 30 years. A talented swimmer, Duncan coached Club and County for many years. He fought through cancer, continuing to coach, compete and inspire until he passed away in 2008. Duncan showed good humoured courage and determination - an example to follow. His passion was such that Duncan and his family bequeathed money to the Club to continue this approach.
This event upholds this spirt within Perranporth SLSC – an inclusive, challenging and team surf-swim event, proudly hosted here at Perranporth Beach.
Location: Perranporth Surf Lifesaving Club House
Event Organiser Perranporth SLSC
www.perranporthslsc.org.uk
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