The Isle of Wight's Pier2Pier swim is returning in August, it's been announced.
Organisers IOW Marlins Masters Swim Club were forced to cancel last year's event due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Entries have been rolled over to this year, however, with the swim set to take place on Saturday August 7, 2021.
A total of 150 swimmers have signed up – 50 are Island-based swimmers, while 100 are coming over from the mainland.
The swimmers enter the sea from the beach alongside the Sandown Pier, and then swim across the 1.8 miles of the Bay to finish on the beach outside the Shanklin/Sandown Rowing Club.
Bob Cooper, Event Referee and Safety Officer said:
“After the disappointment of last year’s cancellation it was pleasing that so many of the entrants were happy to hold over to this year. The Marlins members have also been delighted to see this year’s event be the biggest ever in it’s 69 year history.
"It has been pleasing to work in co-operation with RESULTSBASE.COM who are providing the technology to enable improved swimmer registration and timekeeping processes.”
Support for the event has been received from Godshill Model Village, Wight Crystal Water, Tesco Extra Ryde, and also Wightlink and Red Funnel, and we thank them for this.
Hovertravel and a number of Island hotels and B&B’s have carried over last year’s bookings for the visitor entries.
To ensure the safety of the swimmers, the crews of the Sandown/Shanklin and the Ryde Inshore Independent Lifeboats, and members of the Shanklin Deep Sea Fishing Club provide powered craft.
The first line of safety is supplied by kayakers, supervised by the Isle of Wight Kayak Club.
Organisers are requesting anyone who is a kayaker or canoeist or paddle boarder and can assist, to contact [email protected] with their details.