The 2009 Queenie Festival saw plenty of sports action as well as all the food and festivities. Along with dinghy racing by 7th Wave and kayaking with Manx Paddlesports and Adventurous Experiences, the festival also hosted the three rounds of the Scallop Shell Swims.
The kayakers, together with boat crews from 7th Wave, Island Boat Services, Ocean-web and local supporters also provided safety-boat cover for the swims, for which the competitors were very grateful as a mile swim in open water can be very daunting! The RNLI were also on hand to give sterling moral support.
Although a little wind-less for the yachts, the water conditions were perfect for sea-swimming at Carrick Bay, Gansey on the Tuesday evening, and continued well for Port Erin Bay on the Friday evening and the shorter distance races at Chapel Beach, Port St Mary on the Sunday afternoon.
The crowds lining the sea walls and beach at each location really added to the atmosphere for some excellent racing. The first two events were 1mile for Seniors, and 1/2mile for Juniors and Novices, and the last leg a 1km swim for Seniors and 1/2km for Juniors and Novices.
As no sea-swimming races have taken place on the Island for several years, there was no 'form' for any of the competitors, and with a mixed field of pool swimmers, triathletes, water polo players and divers -as well as those up for a new challenge - it was always set to be a very open competition.
Two swimmers shone out though - Mattheu Marshall winning all three of the Senior (over 16) events and Ciara Sullivan winning all the Junior events. It was no walkover for them though, with stiff competition from the Isaac brothers Tom and Andy, and Ironman triathlete Graham Stigant in the Senior swims, and Connor Christian and Chris Wignall in the Juniors.
In the Novice events there was also a close battle, particularly between the leading pack of Tracey Lyness, Dave Maddrell and Stuart Mason.
Carole Laporte came through a strong field to to win the Senior ladies - not bad considering the week before she'd swum solo round the Calf and the week before that a relay swim from the point of Ayre to the Sound!
There were 48 taking part in total, including a couple of competitors from the UK, and it was really good to see some family entries - it was the kids wining over the parents in all cases.
Having so much going on around the swims really added to the sense of occasion. Tuesday night after the swims had a band on at the Shore, and Friday night on Port Erin beach was a great way to wind down after the swims, with Samba bands, palm trees, beach-side bars and a beatiful sunset to top it all off. A real 'Celebration of the Sea', as the Queenie Festival would have it. No sign of the elusive Golden Shell though!
It's hopeful that the success of the events will lead to more Bay Swims being resurrected around the Island, particularly given the number of Island athletes travelling across to take part in open-water swims and triathlons in the UK.
If anyone is interested in finding out more about open water swimming or taking part in future events, they can contact Mark Gorry of the Isle of Man Open Water Swimming Club on 430631.
