01 September 2010

UK’s biggest open water swim set to make a splash

Thousands of swimmers will take part in the UK’s biggest outdoor swim in the wonderful setting of Windermere in the Lake District this weekend.

Some 9,000 swimmers will participate in the one-mile British Gas Great North Swim across two days on September 4 and 5 - with a further 15,000 spectators expected to converge on one of England’s most iconic locations.

The British Gas Great North Swim has gone from strength to strength since being launched just two years ago with a field of 2,000. It attracted 6,000 participants last year while entries for the 2010 event sold out within six weeks.

Colin Hill, Head of Great Swim said: “The British Gas Great North Swim has now turned into an iconic swim in the sporting calendar.  I’d like to thank all of the event partners who had the vision to support the swim and help make it the biggest and best outdoor swim in the country. Good luck to everyone who is taking part this year."

The event will also feature elite men’s and women’s races with a host of world-class stars set to line-up, such as British Olympic silver medallist Keri-Anne Payne and world 5k champion Thomas Lurz of Germany.

MP Andy Burnham, a candidate in the Labour Party leadership contest and a former sports minister, will also be taking the plunge on Saturday.

Nigel Dove, Director of Marketing and Communications at the NWDA, said: "The appetite for the Great North Swim is phenomenal: thousands of people are vying to take part and thousands simply want to witness this wonderful spectacle.
“I am delighted that we have been able to support an event which has quickly become a part of Cumbria's sporting calendar and which is bringing considerable economic benefits to Cumbria's hotels, restaurants, pubs and tourist attractions."

As well as the one-mile swim, in which the majority of swimmers will take part, the event also features a 500m swim and a two-mile version.

Swimmers will set off in a series of waves, starting at 9am and continuing until late afternoon.  The elite women’s race will be staged on Saturday at noon with the elite men following at 12.30pm. 

British Gas Communications Director, Andrew Hogan said “We at British Gas are amazed to see how popular the British Gas Great North Swim has become in just two years. Nine thousand swimmers in one event is a fantastic number and we are proud that 300 of our own employees will be taking the plunge for the one-mile challenge.
“Windermere is a wonderful location for the event and I’m sure it will be a tremendous spectacle to see.”

The British Gas Great North Swim is part of the biggest open water swim series in the world with 20,000 swimmers of all shapes, sizes and abilities taking part, many of whom will be raising much-needed cash for good causes.

Events have already been staged at Ipswich and London while the 2010 series ends with the British Gas Great Salford Swim on September 26.

For more details visit www.greatswim.org

-ENDS-

For more information contact Caroline Holmes, Communications Executive Great Swim
T: 07894 386 688
E: caroline.holmes@nova-international.com

Notes to editors:

Low Wood Bay Hotel and Marina
Low Wood Bay Hotel and Marina, is part of the English Lakes Hotels family owned and run group of hotels, purchased in 1952 by the Berry family. The group consists of five very individual properties, four or which are situated in the Lake District and one close to the city of Lancaster. Low Wood is the North’s premier resort hotel with 110 bedrooms, purpose built conference centre, marina, watersports centre, leisure club, choice of restaurants and bars. The hotel’s location provides one the best venues for events on the shores of Windermere with lake access and the stunning backdrop of the Langdale pikes.
www.elh.co.uk

Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA)
The Northwest Regional Development Agency works to deliver economic success in England’s Northwest by building the competitiveness of businesses, people and places.  As part of its work to support these objectives, the NWDA works with partners to secure world-class events, which are distinctive and capable of attracting large numbers of visitors from outside the region and which significantly enhance the profile of the region.

South Lakeland District Council

 South Lakeland District Council provides services over a vast area covering 600 square miles including mountains, fells, lakes, estuary and coastline.  South Lakeland has a population of 104,400 and is one of the largest districts in Cumbria.  It includes places that are well known such as Kendal, Ulverston, Windermere, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cartmel and also has large parts of both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. The council has a strong track record of supporting major cultural events in the area such as Mintfest International Festival of Street Arts, the Tour of Britain, Windermere Airshow and Lake District International Summer Music Festival.

Cumbria Tourism
Cumbria Tourism is the lead organisation for tourism in the county and is at the heart of the Cumbria Visitor Economy.  It is also the largest membership organisation in Cumbria with more than 2,000 members.  Over 15 million annual visitors to Cumbria contribute more than £1.1 billion to the local economy and support around 36,000 jobs. To find out more about the work of Cumbria Tourism, visit www.cumbriatourism.org

Invest in Cumbria
The Invest in Cumbria team provides a single point of contact, offering free assistance to companies new to Cumbria as well as helping the county’s existing top 100 large organisations to grow.  It works in partnership with many including support agencies, local authorities and business groups.  Invest in Cumbria can undertake tailored research, locate sites and premises, give information on supply chains, skills, training and recruitment and offer personal advice such as housing and education advice.  It also provides a project management service for a large investment or expansion.
Contact Invest in Cumbria on 01768 895350 or email enquiries@investincumbria.co.uk

Lake District National Park Authority
1. More information about the National Park and the Authority’s work on our website www.lake-district.gov.uk
2. The Lake District is one of 14 National Parks. The others are: Brecon Beacons, the Cairngorms, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Loch Lomond and Trossachs, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, Pembrokeshire Coast, Snowdonia, the Yorkshire Dales, the Broads and the New Forest.

For further details please contact Mick Casey, LNDPA Media and Marketing Co-ordinator on 01539 792 683.

Invest in Cumbria
In Cumbria, international business, unspoilt beauty and an unrivalled quality of life create the perfect place to mix business and pleasure. Home to world-leaders in energy, tourism, food and drink, specialist manufacturing and logistics, the commercial landscape is as magnificent as our natural assets.

Invest in Cumbria provides a wide range of free and confidential services to help companies looking to establish new or expand existing operations in one of Britain’s most vibrant and diverse business destinations. Working in partnership with a network of support agencies, local authorities, education providers and business professionals, the Invest in Cumbria team can offer everything from project management services and advice on the best business sites and premises to guidance on grant-assisted investment packages and access to high quality training and recruitment support.

Inspire, innovate, imagine... Invest in Cumbria. www.investincumbria.co.uk

For more information contact Luke Dicicco, Communications Manager, on 01768 895350 or email luked@investincumbria.co.uk