NEWS

Charity offers new shorter swims for kids and families

Children’s Hospice South West has partnered with Dartmoor Open Water Swim to offer two shorter distance swims for children and families at Roadford Lake, near Okehampton, on Sunday 16 June. Swimmers aged 12-16 can register to take part in a 500m child-only swim or a 500m family swim. There is also a 1,000m course for young swimmers and adults aged 14 and over.

CHSW community fundraiser Zoe Partridge said: “The Dartmoor Open Water Swim is one of the most popular challenges in our events calendar and we’re delighted to be able to team up with the organisers to open this year’s event up to even more swimmers with two shorter distances this year.

“The Children’s Hospice South West Open Water Swim 2019 is a great opportunity for competent young and adult swimmers to dip their toes into the competitive open water swim arena – and where better to do it than at the beautiful Roadford Lake on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park?

“We are urging participants to raise sponsorship for CHSW to help us support children with life-limiting conditions and their families across the South West, so please dive in and make a big splash for CHSW this summer!”

Children’s Hospice South West provides hospice care for life-limited children and their families. The charity is also promoting places for swimmers looking for a longer challenge at the Dartmoor Open Water Swim, which is supporting CHSW again this year. The 4km single loop course is aimed for those training towards long-distance triathlons, while the 2km half loop swim is designed for those who either have confined their swims to pools or have yet to face the longer distances.

Dartmoor Open Water Swim event director Mike Morris said: “This is an inclusive event aimed at giving all people the opportunity to swim outdoors in the stunning location of Roadford Lake.”

For more information and to register for the Children’s Hospice South West Open Water Swim 2019, visit www.chsw.org.uk/chswswim or for the Dartmoor Open Water Swim, visit www.chsw.org.uk/dartmoorswim

Image: howaboutdave photography

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Jonathan is a year-round skins swimmer with a particular love of very cold water. He has competed in ice swimming competitions around the world. He is a qualified open water coach with a particular love of introducing new swimmers to the open water.