MelHolland

Hi guys, This will be my last post on here. Just to clear a couple of last things up: - the RNLI certainly aren’t free or engaged just via donation, they charge for their services for events - i’m actually raising money for them and the BHF with a 4way English Channel Relay later in the year, if you would like to donate, please do let me know and I’ll send you the link - this really isn’t me forcing my will on anybody, there’s a lot of support from the swimming community wanting a swim like this in the broads, it’s just me that’s put my hand up to organise it - i’ve engaged with all authorities i’ve been told to and have noted the boating group to get in contact with mentioned in a previous post - all swimmers upon entry are asked to sign up to the risks - additional safety information will be disseminated to entrants at various intervals prior to event day - i’m certainly not making money, it can be surprising all the costs that are required to put an event on like this, not least the safety provision. My finances are my business though - as mentioned before all day boat hire and sailing clubs will be notified, I have been given a list. I don’t think it’s comprehensive so I’m doing the research to find everyone and anyone to notify them - if you’re still not happy, I think contacting authorities is the right way to go. So with that, I want to say thank you to everyone who has provided support and/or constructive feedback. Please do get in contact via the website if you have any further queries, I won’t be responding to anything further on here. I hope you all have a lovely day and a wonderful Easter weekend. Ta, Mel

Hi Bound2Please, I can confirm that this is a commercial enterprise, but I can assure you that there isn’t bundles of cash being made. The event will be lucky to break even in the first year and will never make a lot of money. People always think they do, but it’s only the really big organisations that run events with 1000s of swimmers that do. That being said, our chosen charity of choice is the River Waveney Trust which we will promote to our community. There are a couple of other charities that will also be involved. Ta, Mel

Sorry just one final thing to JennyMorgan, it would be great if you could let me know where you got in touch via Facebook or the website? I’ve not received any alerts to any messages or comments on the Facebook page, and certainly haven’t deleted anything. Ta, Mel

Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know that I am keeping an eye on this thread, you guys are certainly an active forum! Whilst I would like to answer each concern separately, I’m sure you can appreciate there’s a lot of you and one of me, so I’ll try to address the last lot of concerns raised. And to be clear, I can only respond to questions raised, I can’t stop anyone making assumptions which may or may not be correct. I can only speak for myself as event organiser and I won’t respond to personal remarks. Look, I know that not everyone will welcome the swim happening, and regardless of how much safety is provisioned, won’t be satisfied. As I mentioned before, we’re here to co-exist with other river users. I already have consulted numerous locals, ones who boat and/or swim regularly in the Waveney, and have done for many years. Not only are the Broads Authority closely involved, so is the Council, the Beccles Charter Weekend, The Waveney River Trust, the Beccles HarbourMaster is also aware. Outdoor swimmers are a pretty hardy bunch and we know the risks involved with swimming outside, these are ours to take. These include but are not limited to collisions e.g with each other or vessels, interactions with wildlife, hypothermia, hyperthermia, water conditions including weather or quality. Just because I might not have mentioned something specific, doesn’t mean it hasn’t been thought of and addressed. The average swim time is actually estimated is approx 3.5- 4 hours, depending on entries, the slowest is estimated at 5 hours. We will be starting in waves from approx 8:30am to ensure we maximise the tidal assistance from slowest to fastest. On water support will all be minimum first aid trained, most will be RNLI lifeguard trained. Motorised water support will likely be boat instructors driving with paramedics on board. And as mentioned previously, even though we’re not registered with governing bodies like Triathlon England or the ASA, we are working to their standards. I’m also really pleased to hear that some on the forum welcome “swimming tourism”. Quite often swimmers will make a weekend of it, sometimes longer for these events. Anyway, If you would like to know more, the best way really is to get in contact with me via the website at www.broadsswimming.co.uk. But I will keep an eye on the forum and address what I can, when I can. Ta, Mel