People encouraged to dive in to the Castle Swim

Tuesday 04 August 2020

The annual Castle Swim has been announced for later this month, with Guernsey Mind as the event’s charitable beneficiary.

The swim, sponsored by Louvre Group, will for the second year start at the Slaughterhouse Slipway at 15:30 on 29 August; participants will swim from here to the Horseshoe Pool at La Vallette.

Guernsey Mind assists islanders who are struggling with mental health conditions through a variety of events, campaigns and various means of support to help those in need receive relevant care and assistance. During lockdown, a lot of the charity’s usual services had to be cancelled, or altered considerably to enable them to continue.

“We are delighted to have been chosen as this year’s beneficiary,” said Emily Litten, Executive Director of Guernsey Mind. “Obviously with the effects of the Covid pandemic and so many events having been cancelled, fundraising is a strong focus for us to continue our work,”

“We are very much looking forward to the swim.”

The swim takes an average 25 minutes to complete, but the event is open to all abilities and participants are encouraged to go at their own pace. Anyone over the age of 11 is welcome, though the oldest swimmer to complete the course will be presented with the Bill Green Memorial Trophy, which has been awarded every year since 1996.

“Swimming is fantastic for good mental health, so we couldn’t think of a better beneficiary for the annual Castle Swim than Guernsey Mind,” said Matthew Gilligan, Associate Director of the Louvre Group. “We’re delighted to once again be sponsoring the swim.”

“The event is a Guernsey institution and the summer wouldn’t be the same without it.”

Swimmers can register at the Slaughterhouse slipway starting at 2:30 pm, and are encouraged to download and fill out the Disclaimer Form from the Guernsey Swimming Club website to present at registration. There is a minimum £3 donation in order to swim.

Swimmers will be released in timed intervals, with the first 50 swimmers setting off at 15:30.

Pictured Top: Matthew Gilligan, Associate Director of the Louvre Group, and Kevin Penney of the Guernsey Swimming Club.