They locate, collect, preserve, provide access to and promote screen material related to the South East and of general relevance to screen history.

David Sawyers, whose great great grandfather started The Brighton Swimming Club 150 years ago is disabled by arthritis whilst on land. This film on “Against the Tide” is a testament to all that the sea brings to his mind, body and spirit. Told entirely from the sea this story reconnects us with the importance of sea-swimming. Shot in Brighton by film maker Kat Mansoor (click for interview).

I feel very proud, my support crew were amazing, my arms ache and I will write up my swim in a few days time as now I have to go and pay my fees for the swim, have a nice relaxing lunch, meet a few people and then head out of Wellington-this time for good (well for this trip anyway)!

We are heading upto Auckland, it will take a couple of day to get there and we are all going to enjoy the last few days and my first few days to relax without thinking about swimming or training! Bliss! We may head back into the water though with a scuba dive!

Bathers have been told to keep their swimming costumes on while using the showers following complaints from local schools that pupils were offended by ‘open nudity’ and needed ‘a certain amount of privacy.’

Swimmers who regularly use the Torridge Pool in Northam, Devon, described the rule as ‘health and safety gone mad.’

A report from the City of London Corporation in response to calls to enlarge the men’s nude sunbathing area on Hampstead Heath will reportedly crush naturist hopes for room to swing a sunbed at the men’s bathing pond. The report will be presented today at the management committee’s meeting and campaigners are urging supporters to attend and pooh pooh the anticipated decision that will keep nude sunbathers squished together in the 13m by 8m concrete enclosure, surrounded by metal sheets. Lead campaigner Michael Peacock say it’s ‘akin to being in a microwave on a hot day’. The Corporation argues the ponds are primarily for swimming. After wide consultation with swimming groups, they are recommending that the expansion not be approved.

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‘In the women’s race, 10K world champion Keri-Anne Payne took an early lead until the 1.200K mark while followed by a chasing pack with Germany’s Steffi Biller and Nadine Pastor and the Russian Olympic gold medalist Larisa Ilchenko. At this point, the physicality of the sport really came into the full view with leg and elbow kicks coming into quick exchange.’

‘Nadine broke free of the chasing pack and used the calm water to her full advantage, while Katy chose to take a different route than the group as she gained valuable yards. Nadine was the clear winner, but you could have thrown a coin over second, third and fourth. Great Britain’s Katy Whitfield finished second with the Larisa in third and Keri-Anne in fourth.’

The first half of men’s race was led by long-distance specialist Alexander Studzinski of Germany who built up a ten-meter gap between him and the chase pack.

Steve summarizes, ‘It looked like an impossibility that Alexander was ever going to lose, but Daniil Serebrennikov of Russia swam the perfect race and timed his move flawlessly, pushing ahead for just one [last] metre of the race to give Daniil his second victory in the British Gas Great Swim four-part series. Much to the delight of the home crowd, British junior swimmer Tom Allen finished hin third.’

But, more importantly, 6,000 other swimmers entered the event with the world-class swimmers in only the second year of the event.

‘The Great Swim brand has created a series of events for people to get excited about,’ said Steve. ‘My personal hope is that these mass participation open water swimming events will one day be just as popular and successful as their Great Run counterparts.’

Elite Women’s Results:
1. Nadine Pastor (GER) 18.14
2. Katy Whitfield (GBR) 18.15
3. Larisa Ilchenko (RUS) 18.16

Elite Men’s Results:
1. Daniil Serebrennikov (RUS) 16.23
2. Alexander Studzinski (GER) 16.23
3. Tom Allen (GBR) 16.26

The event will be televised in Great Britain in the fall on Channel 4.

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Dorney Lake is ideal for open water swimming and will be the rowing venue for the 2012 London Olympics and the Paralymic Games 2012.

Plus, the goodie bags are rumored to be cool…swim fast and get your’s.

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