WHEN the Jersey Polar Bears were told last year that their ‘record-breaking’ round Island relay swim time was not fast enough, they vowed to return.
Despite taking 12 seconds off the RAF’s eight-year-old swim time, the group were knocked back by the British Long Distance Swimming Association who claimed the record must be broken by a full minute.
But almost one year later, plus nine hours, 26 minutes and 39 seconds, the long distance sea swimmers can now officially celebrate their place in the history books, having not just smashed the eight-year-old record – but completely obliterated it.
Despite unsettled seas, unpredictable winds and a pod of 30 dolphins Bruce Bridal, Ian Jones, Dan Halksworth, Anthony Smith, Craig Swart and Dave Le Clercq took a full 16 minutes off the fastest recorded time. They set out early on Wednesday morning from Elizabeth Castle breakwater in choppy water and a strong headwind but were rewarded for their persistence as the conditions improved along the North Coast.
