So You Can Go Swimming!

[Guest]

3 hours ago, 40something said:

So the BA say the event is still being assessed, yet the company website says:

"We now have a confirmed date for the inaugural Broads swimming event along the Waveney River.It will run on Sunday 1st July, 2018"  Hardly seems fair on potential entrants that they are not being told the true state of affairs

 

 

 

 

 

Especially if they have coughed up £70 to enter.

[Vaughan]

Well done Peter and thank you for posting their reply. 

I think the quandary that they are in, shows through in the way they have worded it! I think their last line is the most significant :

Subject to the swim being given the go - ahead the Authority would issue a notice to mariners to advise users of the event.

This says several things, to me :

1/. It has not been approved yet.

2/. The BA feel that they have authority to stop it, or approve it.

3/. That also means that the BA must accept some risk if they approve it.

4/. That the navigation will not be closed to other users.

5/. The Notice to Mariners means "be advised and navigate with caution" but no more than that.

[JennyMorgan]

However we look at it the Authority is duty bound to 'protect the interests of the navigation', plain and simple and it's in the Broads Act. When the Broads Act was drawn up Marathon Swimming on the Broads hadn't even been thought of. A problem NOT of the BA's making.  It just remains to be seen how and if they do anything. 

[grendel]

following on from the broads authoritys own warning here:- http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/boating/navigating-the-broads/urgent-boating-information/blunt-message-on-co-exhaust-fume-threat

I wonder about the risk to swimmers from the exhaust fumes generated by passing boats, if it is this dangerous as blow back through the canopy - how dangerous will it be at boat exhaust level swimming past, as when swimming you dont often have much choice whether to breath or not, and will generally be inhaling deeply.

Granted most boats are diesel, and this specifically states petrol engined. but surely all the support boats will have petrol outboards. 

 

[quo vadis]

Good point 

[Guest]

Na cant see fumes being an issue, your average high street is still worse than what they will inhale on the swim

[Smoggy]

55 minutes ago, 40something said:

Na cant see fumes being an issue, your average high street is still worse than what they will inhale on the swim

Not if I go past! They only closed breydon because I opened the throttle too quickly, who needs fog!

[KaptinKev]

5 hours ago, grendel said:

 

I wonder about the risk to swimmers from the exhaust fumes generated by passing boats, if it is this dangerous as blow back through the canopy - how dangerous will it be at boat exhaust level swimming past, as when swimming you dont often have much choice whether to breath or not, and will generally be inhaling deeply.

Granted most boats are diesel, and this specifically states petrol engined. but surely all the support boats will have petrol outboards. 

 

I'm sure you will be at a greater risk by being a pedestrian in London.

[grendel]

I was just going by the stress they were putting on how dangerous it was, one whiff of exhaust fumes etc etc.

[marshman]

Its not being swum on the 13th is it?? What hope have they....!!!

[JennyMorgan]

For your information I am assured that my concerns are being circulated to all the relevant officers at the Authority and the event is now to be discussed at the Authority's Navigation Committee's next meeting. The NSBA is also aware of the potential problems. 

[MauriceMynah]

Bloody hell, ... If your concerns are being taken seriously by the BA, JP is deeply in the s***

 

 

[JohnK]

Circulated could mean “here are some very valid concerns that we need to consider very seriously” or “look what the lunatic is saying now”
I’m very much joking!

[rightsaidfred]

With thanks to JM we now know for sure that the BA are fully aware of all the implications, maybe we should now sit back and await their deliberations and hope that common sense prevails from every quarter including the organisers maybe then the event can go ahead in a safe and suitable manner in a suitable location.

Fred

[Guest]

8 hours ago, JennyMorgan said:

For your information I am assured that my concerns are being circulated to all the relevant officers at the Authority and the event is now to be discussed at the Authority's Navigation Committee's next meeting. The NSBA is also aware of the potential problems. 

I'm sorry to "rain on your parade" but given a formal written notification of an issue that could affect affect the safety of users of the broads, the BA would have a written process stating that it must be circulated to the relevant officers. No single employee would have the authority to say "this is not important" and bin or file it without a review. 

[grendel]

well at least we know that everyone who needs to know is aware and will be discussing it, I think that was one of our primary concerns that it did not appear to have been discussed by the relevant departments in the Authority.

[Guest]

1 minute ago, grendel said:

well at least we know that everyone who needs to know is aware and will be discussing it, I think that was one of our primary concerns that it did not appear to have been discussed by the relevant departments in the Authority.

Agreed and sometimes we should be pleased that procedures and processes are in place, otherwise how would we know that JM's letter has not already been recycled..

[JennyMorgan]

Without beating about the bush it all boils down to trust, or lack thereof. In the past, when I was on the Nav Com,  'unhelpful' material did fall by the wayside, of that I am convinced, and one of the reasons that all BA meetings are now recorded.

[Guest]

Entries are now open on the website, so the organisers are carrying on regardless.

[Guest]

Also lower age limit for entrants is 14, which is very unusual, just another concern to add to the list unfortunately

[Guest]

If I look at the web page it shows:

Is "Event in Detail" available which I would expect to include details of what safety arrangements have been made? 

 

[Guest]

Details are tricking out slowly:

Will the river be closed to other traffic?

No. The river will be open to other users. All boat hirers, sailing clubs etc will be notified of the event, plus signs will be up at various points on the river. All entrants will also receive instructions prior to and on the day of the event, essentially swimmers will need to keep close to the right hand side of the river bank and our on water safety team will help direct swimmers to stick to the right hand side.

Will you have safety crew?

Yes! There will be motorised support with paramedics on board, the RNLI are providing lifeguards alongside kayakers / paddle boarders to help guide swimmers in the tighter and less visible parts of the river. They will also help ensure that other river users are aware of swimmers in the water

The North Cove mooring and finish at Beccles Quay are on the left hand side of the river. As swimmers will be on the right hand side, what safety provisions are being made to cross the river considering it is open to other users?

On water safety craft like kayaks will be at both places to escort you safely across the river. It is essential that all swimmers follow their instructions which may include stopping for boats etc. This is especially important at the end of the swim at Beccles Quay where it is expected to be the busiest.

[ranworthbreeze]

39 minutes ago, Philosophical said:

If I look at the web page it shows:

Is "Event in Detail" available which I would expect to include details of what safety arrangements have been made? 

 

Event Summary

• Swim is tow float compulsory to aid swimmer visibility
• Event registration will open from approximately 6:30am at Beccles Quay where the course finishes
• All entrants will be transported by coach to the swim start at the Waveney River Centre based on wave start time (included in the event price).  
• Waves will start at approximately 8:30am with each wave having a different swim cap colour
• Feed stops for individuals are optional, but yummy snacks will be available for those wanting to stop
• Entry to the water at the start is via a slipway
• Entry / exit to the water at all feed stops and the finish is via ladder, and as directed by event staff
• Event entry includes a drawstring bag - these are the only bags that we will transport back to the finish for you
• There are toilet and shower facilities available at Beccles Quay
• There are toilets available at the Waveney River Centre

How much does it cost?

Individual entries cost £70 each. Team entries cost £90 per team. Entry includes:

• Car parking
• Coach transport to the start of the swim
• Event safety cover
• Event medical cover
• Event insurance
• All snacks / drinks at feed stops
• Entry pack including drawstring bag
• Finisher medal
• Swim timing
• Lots of other stuff (please ask if you want to know)!

[Guest]

11 minutes ago, ranworthbreeze said:

Event Summary

• Swim is tow float compulsory to aid swimmer visibility
• Event registration will open from approximately 6:30am at Beccles Quay where the course finishes
• All entrants will be transported by coach to the swim start at the Waveney River Centre based on wave start time (included in the event price).  
• Waves will start at approximately 8:30am with each wave having a different swim cap colour
• Feed stops for individuals are optional, but yummy snacks will be available for those wanting to stop
• Entry to the water at the start is via a slipway
• Entry / exit to the water at all feed stops and the finish is via ladder, and as directed by event staff
• Event entry includes a drawstring bag - these are the only bags that we will transport back to the finish for you
• There are toilet and shower facilities available at Beccles Quay
• There are toilets available at the Waveney River Centre

How much does it cost?

Individual entries cost £70 each. Team entries cost £90 per team. Entry includes:

• Car parking
• Coach transport to the start of the swim
• Event safety cover
• Event medical cover
• Event insurance
• All snacks / drinks at feed stops
• Entry pack including drawstring bag
• Finisher medal
• Swim timing
• Lots of other stuff (please ask if you want to know)!

I was looking for detail such as published by the Waveny Stardust who are also participating in the event, they have a tab on their web page labelled safety which brings an option of viewing documents such as:

Risk Assment

Insurance Details

Public Liability Insurance

Safety & Safeguarding Policy 

[JennyMorgan]

Swimmers are being told to stick to the right side of the river, good, in principle.

If I was to enter a competition, and I wanted to win, then I would be cutting corners at every opportunity!