MORE than 400 teams have signed up for next week’s Swimarathon – taking the number of participants back to pre-Covid levels.
At least 2,500 swimmers will take to the water at Les Quennevais Leisure Centre between Wednesday and Sunday, including the Jersey Swimming Club and the Jersey Disabled in Pool Swimmers, who have fielded teams in every competition since the first Swimarathon in 1972.
The event, organised by the Lions Club of Jersey, will support nine charities: Brighter Futures, Beach Ability, Jersey Mencap, Jersey Sea Cadets, Acorn Enterprises, Autism Jersey, Wetwheels Jersey, Healing Waves and Les Amis.
For the first time, funds will be split according to each organisation’s requests, said Peter Tabb, from the Lions Club.
After the 2020 edition of the event was cancelled following the outbreak of the Covid pandemic and 2021 competition saw a low of around 200 teams, numbers are now back to 2019 levels.
Although there was no fundraising goal, Mr Tabb said an all-time high had come in 2012 when competitors raised £147,000.
Mr Tabb added that sponsor Ravenscroft would cover all running costs for this year’s event
“We make it very clear to the swimmers: none of their effort goes to pay for administration,” he said.
The Lieutenant-Governor, Vice-Admiral Jerry Kyd, is to start the event at 9am on Wednesday, with teams from schools, Government House, sponsors Ravenscroft, government and the police among those who are due to take part.
