They were joined by EastEnders star Steve McFadden who plays the role of Phil Mitchell and is a keen supporter of the charity. The fastest swimmer was Haddon Page from Redruth who completed the mile long swim in 22 minutes and 9 seconds, just 42 seconds short of the course record.
It took an army of 50 volunteers to run the event which raises around £30,000 a year for the RNLI. In sunshine and calm but cold water, the swimmers set off from Pendennis Headland on the Falmouth side, heading for a small beach on the St Mawes side of the river. Fastest woman home was Emily Theobald who also took the under 18 title with a time of 24 minutes and 55 seconds. Emily, who is from Falmouth, was swimming in the event for the first time and is a member of the Portreath Surf Lifesaving Club.
TV star Steve McFadden who has taken part in the swim twice before, clocked up a time of 37 minutes and 36 seconds and said he’d enjoyed the swim, especially as this year he shaved 10 minutes off his time.
The last person to finish the sea swim was Peter ‘Bunny’ Bartell from St Agnes who is in his late sixties. He was greeted by the loudest cheers of the day from the crowd watching the swim when he stepped ashore after one hour, 15 minutes and 11 seconds. Peter said he had found the water very cold but that the RNLI lifeguards had been extremely supportive during the swim.
Guy Botterill, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager, was the event organiser and says the biggest thank you must go to the volunteers who ensured the event was a success:
‘It takes more than 50 volunteers to run the swim, from the RNLI lifeguards and lifeboat crews who play a major safety role on the water, to harbour teams from Falmouth and St Mawes, kayakers from as far away as St Austell and including Mark Bower who runs a kayaking business in St Mawes and members of Surf Lifesaving Clubs in Portreath, Perranporth and Hayle. There were also members of Falmouth Diving Club, RNLI fundraisers, Tim Goldburn and the list goes on. I can’t thank them enough for their support and hard work, especially as for some of them the day began at 5am this morning. It’s hard work but worth it because of the money the swim raises for the RNLI to support the charity’s work saving lives at sea.’
The swim was officially started this year by Matt Vernon who is a Mussel Diver who tried valiantly to save a woman from her car earlier this year when it rolled in to the River Fal where the King Harry Car Ferry crosses. He was praised for his bravery after diving more than a dozen times to try and help Ann Pewter who was trapped inside the vehicle.
All the swimmers finishing the event were presented with a special commemorative
t-shirt and a bottle of water, and prizes, sponsored by Steve Coram of Cycle Logic in Helston, were given to the winners.
For the full results list please follow this link: http://racetimingsolutions.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=16269&RId=131
RNLI notes to editors
• The attached pictures include:
*The first swimmer home Haddon Page – Credit Simon Culliford
*The first woman to finish and also the first under 18, Emily Theobald – Credit Simon Culliford
*EastEnders actor Steve McFadden, a keen supporter of the RNLI – Credit Simon Culliford
*The last swimmer to finish the course, Peter ‘Bunny’ Bartell – Credit Simon Culliford
*The view at the start of the swim across the River Fal – credit Tim Stevens
*Matt Vernon who started the 2013 Castle to Castle Swim – credit Tim Stevens
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager for the south west, on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Press Officer, on 07920 818807 or email Amy_Caldwell@rnli.org.uk