Swimmers set to circle SIBS

Termed as a ‘bucket list’ experience for many, open water swimmers are being invited to swim around Southampton International Boat Show (SIBS) on Sunday morning (18 September 2022).

The event, at 8am, has been set up to boost donations for Rose Road, a charity that provides family support services, overnight respite care, domiciliary care, community outreach and day services – described as a lifeline by parents and carers. Registration is open online, with a few places remaining.

The charity is looking for 125 swimmers to take part. It says the swim will take place in the footprint of the show, with marker buoys and lane ropes to mark out the course. There will be safety kayaks and a safety boat on the water during the swim. It expects the 1.25km swim, in the iconic Southampton docks, past tall ships and superyachts will take people between 30-90 minutes to complete.

Participation costs £45 which includes the swim, a commemorative medal and swim cap, and entrance to the boat show.

The event is being sponsored by Excel Boats. The company’s providing one of its new Virago 520s to accompany the swimmers. That’s being driven by Scott Dawson, Excel’s contracts manager, who is also an open water swim coach. He volunteered the Virago as soon as he heard about the swim.

“It seemed fitting that Excel supported the swim,” he says. “As an open water coach, I know the importance of having a safety boat. I’ll be taking one of the new Viragos out. It can carry seven and is a really stable platform. And the other is on stand E047 for people to have a look at.”

‘Being able to get into a body of water and enjoy swimming or just the sensation of floating
is a luxury many of us take for granted,’ says Rose Road. ‘Without specialist equipment to keep someone with additional physical needs safe in the water and while getting in and out of the water, this sensory experience becomes off limits for so many people.

‘Our facilities allow children and young people with multiple and complex disabilities to
overcome barriers and make the most of opportunities they may not have access to without
support. Among the resources we are able to provide is our hydrotherapy pool.

‘Not only does being in the water have a huge positive impact on the physical body by allowing a weightless range of movement for joints and muscles and improved lung function, but the joy that being in the pool brings is something we can only describe as we see it on so many faces of our children and young people.’

As Southampton is a working port, the route is subject to change up to three hours before the
event due to boat and cruise ship movements within the port.