Shock Mitigation Directory

1.5 Mile PIER TO PIER Swim for British Heart

10.07.2017

Shock Mitigation MD, John Haynes, swam 1.5 miles at sea in the iconic Bournemouth PIER TO PIER event on Sunday 16 July.

The classic PIER TO PIER is Europe's biggest outdoor swimming event and a major fundraising event for British Heart Foundation, the charity leading the fight against the UK’s single biggest killer - Coronary Heart Disease.

John Haynes said, 'At the NEXT GENERATION Man Overboard Prevention & Recovery Workshop in April 2017 we made a clear statement that injury prevention is important BUT death by drowning or death by exposure to cold is still the prime risk at sea. It reminded me that swimming and self rescue need to be part of the solution. Improving my swimming at sea with fundraising for the British Heart Foundation is great synergy.'

The swim from Bournemouth Pier to Boscombe Pier has been running for many years and regularly raises over £100,000 for research into heart diseases and support for sufferers. British Heart Foundation have trained millions of people in life saving CPR, they have helped fund over 14,500 defibrillators around the UK and invest £100 million each year in cardiovascular research - currently over 1000 projects.

Working With The Elements - Boats & Swimmers

John Haynes said, 'For many pool swimmers the normal approach to swimming is to just charge through the water, but that will simply not cut it in the sea. The strongest swimmer in the world cannot fight against the waves – you’ve got to work with them. Just like handling a boat in waves it involves feeling and really listening to the water then sometimes pausing your stroke or lengthening it as a wave hits.'

There is something quintessentially British about swimming from one wind-swept seaside pier to another, indeed they’ve been doing just that in Bournemouth since the 1930s. The Pier to Pier event sees the intrepid participants split into two groups, identified by (dodgy!) yellow and red swimming caps, setting off at 10.00 and 12.00. 

John Haynes added, 'I have been on and around the waters of the English Channel all my life. Bournemouth is an exposed south facing surf beach so the conditions can get choppy and waves make it more interesting. Most people wear a wetsuit for this event but I favour the minimalist swimwear approach as cold water adds to the challenge, gives great sensory perception and keeps you moving.'

1800 people swam Pier To Pier in light swells on 16 July 2017

Support John Haynes Fundraising Swim for British Heart Foundation >

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