Atheletes from West Dorset Swimming Club will be setting themselves a challenge on Sunday July 14th as they embark on a (virtual) swim of the English Channel.
Each swimmer will be sponsored in order to raise funds for new equipment at their home pool, the 1610 Sports Centre in Coburg Road, Dorchester.
The team’s current starting blocks (diving blocks) are over a decade old and, being of an older design, prevent young people from training with the correct equipment that is used at swimming competitions at all levels, placing them at an instant disadvantage when competing as they are not trained for, or used to, the latest blocks. More modern equipment will enhance the swimmer’s performance. In some cases, this may only be by a 10th or a 100th of a second, but in swimming this can be the difference between achieving a personal best time, medal position, qualification time for County, Regional and National events, or not!
With the support of a few local businesses and the club’s own fundraising efforts, they have been able to purchase four new starting blocks, but are now on a mission to raise funds for the remaining two to complete the set.
This sponsorship opportunity means that the swimmers will be covering the whopping 42 miles, virtually, within the confines of the pool at 1610 Dorchester – this equates to a massive 2,600 lengths of the pool.
Each swimmer will pledge a distance that will challenge themselves, and by the end of the 12 hour time target, the Team will be (virtual!) two way English Channel swimmers!
With 1610 Dorchetser supporting and sponsoring the event it is set to be a great day!
