Supermodel Jodie Kidd made a real splash at the British Gas Great London Swim on Saturday July 3rd. Jodie, well known for her TV appearances on Strictly Come Dancing and Top Gear, took on the one-mile open water challenge along with 5,000 other swimmers at the Royal Victoria Dock near the ExCel centre in London’s East End. The event also featured elite men’s and women’s races, which produced a feast of world-class sporting action. Aqua Sphere is proud to be the official swim kit supplier to Great Swim and is delighted to be part of an event that encourages mass participation in swimming.
Jodie Kidd swam in the 9am wave – one of 16 waves on the day, each consisting of around 300 swimmers – and was delighted with her time of 40mins 54secs as she had been aiming to complete the course in under an hour. With superb weather and a water temperature of 21C, the conditions really aided the swimmers and the elite men and women produced superb races that were extremely tight with very close finishes.
Germany's Thoms Lurz, who won last year's inaugural British Gas Great London Swim, made it two triumphs in a row after pulling away at the 800m point and then easing clear of the field to record a swift time of 16mins 42.57secs. But there was a real fight for second place behind him with the judges having to watch video footage before separating runner-up Ky Hurst of Australia, whose time was 16:43.67, and third-placed Petar Stoychev of Bulgaria (16:44.29). Early leader Dave Davies, Britain's 10k open water silver medallist from the Beijing Olympics, followed a different line into the finish and ended up in a pack behind the front three.
Lurz said: "It was a really fast race, much faster than last year but then the field was so much stronger. The pace was very quick from the start and I just tried to go as well as I could, but due to the speed it wasn’t such a tactical race. I managed to get into the lead as we came down the finishing straight and it was just a case of pushing on and I'm delighted to have won."
The women's race was also a very close affair with British trio Cassie Patten, Keri-Anne Payne and Katy Whitfield breaking clear along with Jana Pechanova of the Czech Republic in the first 200m. The quartet were around 30m ahead of the rest of the field at the halfway mark with Payne, winner of the British Gas Great East Swim two weeks ago, and Pechanova just beginning to edge clear. But Patten, the 10k bronze medallist behind silver winner Payne in Beijing, fought back brilliantly before moving clear in the closing straight and powering to victory in a fast 17mins 48.20secs. She was just over a second ahead of Payne (17:49.46) with Pechanova (17:50.00) a close third.
But the event is all about mass participation and it proved a huge success for the 5,000-plus swimmers who took part, many of whom were swimming for charity – with around £250,000 thought to have been raised overall. www.greatswim.org
The Inaugural Blue Mile Creates a Big Splash for the Environment
Thousands of people attend the first Blue Mile event which took place in the waterside City of Plymouth over the weekend of the 3rd-4th July.
BBC Presenter and Ocean Ambassador, Paul Rose took on the one mile open water challenge along with over 600 people who took to the water during the sunny weekend.
The combination of sport and environment proves to be a real success with the Blue Mile now set to become an annual race for the environment.
Over eight thousand people attended the inaugural Blue Mile - Race for the Environment, which started at the historical Mayflower steps, Plymouth’s most famous landmark. The event saw over 641 people take to the water to swim, paddle and walk for the environment during the weekend, including a host of celebrities. Official Swim Partner Aqua Sphere was delighted to support the event and it has made a successful addition to Aqua Sphere's strategic list of high quality event partnerships for 2010.
A whole host of celebrities took part in the Blue Mile, with T4’s Matt & Darren (formerly Max and Ob from Channel 4’s flagship soap Hollyoaks) taking on the kayak challenge , BBC Presenter and renowned ocean ambassador, Paul Rose (swim); Everest climber and Pole to Pole explorer, James Hooper (swim) and Ocean Rower, Sarah Outen the Stand up Paddle (SUP).
The open water Blue Mile swim event was won by James Edmonds (24) who completed the mile course in a fast 20m: 24s, James also won the Blue³ Triple Challenge as the fasted across all three disciplines (Swim, SUP, Kayak). The Corporate Blue Mile Team event was won by Wolferstans Solicitors.
This was the first Blue Mile event to take place in the UK, with the format of mixing mass participation on the water with an experiential and educational village designed to actively engage people with our marine environment. The Organiser’s of the Blue Mile, Sport Environment are now looking to take the concept further to create a world-class format that uses the power of sport to create social and environmental change.
Conrad Humphrey's, Managing Director of Sport Environment: "I was delighted at the public response to the first ever Blue Mile, an event designed to fuse sport with a public engagement programme focused on our blue environment. There were so many elements to the weekend that made me smile. This was not just an event for elite athletes; we had people from all walks of life who took on the challenge of completing a mile and raising valuable support for WWF-UK to continue their work for clean and healthy seas - and special thanks to Aqua Sphere for their support."
Supermodel Jodie Kidd & Olympic Swimmer David Davies Launch the British Gas Great Swim Series 2010
Jodie Kidd begins training for her first 1 mile open water swim with the help of David Davies
Tuesday, 11th May 2010 – The British Gas Great Swim Series 2010 officially launches today, with Jodie Kidd and David Davies launching the series of five open water swimming events, kicking off this year in Suffolk on 19th June and ending in Salford on 26th September.
Started in 2008, the British Gas Great Swim Series has grown to become the largest open water swimming event in the UK. The series of events attracts people from all walks of life from athletes, Olympic medallists and high profile celebrities, to OAPs and people with inspirational stories – some of whom are struggling with disabilities and illnesses – of all ages, swimming abilities and backgrounds.
Jodie Kidd will be attempting the one mile open water challenge on 19th June in Suffolk.
Jodie comments: “I’m delighted to be launching this year’s British Gas Great Swim Series with David. Swimming has always been one of my favourite sports and due to a recent injury; it’s become my preferred form of exercise and the only sport I can practice without restrictions. I’m very excited and hope my competitive streak will rise to the challenge. I aim to complete the swim as part of a fundraising cause for both Save a London Child and the Jodie Kidd Foundation.”
25 year old Welsh open water swimmer and Olympic silver medallist David Davies will be competing at two of the British Gas Great Swims – the first one on the 19th June in Suffolk and the second on 3rd July, in London.
David comments: “Launching the British Gas Great Swim Series is an honour as I love the thrill and adrenaline you get from open water swimming – there’s nothing quite like it. I look forward to giving Jodie some training techniques in the run up to the 19th June, which should be great fun. Personally, I’m hoping to achieve winning times in both events and can guarantee I’ll be giving it my all.”
The British Gas Great Swim series attracted 10,000 participants in 2009 and it is expected that the number of entrants will double this year. Many take part for the challenge, to get fit or to raise money for charity.
To find out more about the series, which features a new swim in Salford Quays, a 500m open water swim and a two mile swim, go to: www.greatswim.org.
Great Swim Again Chooses Aqua Sphere Goggles and Wet Suits
Innovative swim brand Aqua Sphere is proud to have again been chosen as the Official Swim Kit Partner to The British Gas Great Swim series. Great Swim is the UK's leading outdoor swim series and proved a huge success in 2009, with over 10,000 swimmers of all abilities taking up the challenge to swim a mile in one of four locations across the UK. The stunning settings included Lake Windermere, Strathclyde Country Park Loch, London's Royal Victoria Dock and Alton Water in Suffolk and each event is being televised in a four part series on Channel Four. Taking place from June to September, the 2010 series is expected to attract even more participants, from the recreational swimmer to acclaimed Olympic athletes, and entries are now open at www.greatswim.org
Highly regarded for its outstanding aquatic eyewear which delivers panoramic wide-angle 180-degree vision, comfort and fit, Aqua Sphere’s revolutionary Seal XP, Vista, Kaiman and Kayenne goggles deliver a comfortable, leak-resistant seal for surely the most comfortable swim experience possible. Perfect for outdoor swimming, the new series of 'Ironman - Powered by Aqua Sphere' wet suits offers superb flexible thermal performance and is suitable for all levels of swimmer. Great Swim participants can hire an Aqua Sphere wet suit a few weeks before their event and can also benefit from generous discount vouchers which can be used against wet suit or goggle purchases.
Martin Newton of Aqua Sphere says: "Last year there was a fantastic atmosphere at each of the Great Swim events and it was great to see everyone, from youngsters to grandparents, simply having a go and enjoying the experience. It was also incredibly rewarding to see some of the world's elite swimmers choosing to wear Aqua Sphere goggles and wet suits and we have had some excellent feedback from Olympians and Commonwealth athletes on the quality and performance of our products. We look forward to an even bigger and greater 2010 series."
The 2009 British Gas Great Swim series is currently being serialised on Channel 4. For further information on Aqua Sphere telephone 01254 692200. For all Great Swim info and how to enter click www.greatswim.org
Aqua Sphere Announces Sales Growth
Aqua Sphere, the fastest growing brand in swimming, is delighted to announce superb year-on-year sales growth. With UK turnover up over 20%, the brand is continuing to systematically build its profile across the swim and tri markets and is the goggle brand of choice for an increasing number of retailers, delivering its values of innovation, performance and long lasting comfort to a growing number of swimmers both in the UK and across all six continents.
Product Innovation
Continually innovating and seeking to drive the brand forward, this year saw the launch of the new Kayenne goggle which provides outstanding up-down vision as well as Aqua Sphere's signature wide angle peripheral view. The brand also enhanced its position in the triathlon market with the launch of "Ironman Powered by Aqua Sphere" wet suits which have been widely acclaimed by leading athletes and the media. The company is now launching "Ironman Speedsuits" to allow triathletes to move faster in the water where wet suits are not allowed, and further goggle and mask developments will be unveiled from February onwards. Aqua Sphere's aim is to present the retailer with the latest innovations to enhance every swim display, providing consumers with tangible aquatic vision benefits, whatever their swimming capability or goals.
Marketing Innovation
Aqua Sphere has also benefited this year from a number of successful marketing initiatives which have helped to cement the brand name to the public, including a debut TV Ad Campaign this summer on Eurosport. Aqua Sphere is also the official swim kit partner to the Great Swim, Europe's newest and largest open water swim series which this year attracted over 10,000 participants and substantial TV coverage.
With more retailers experiencing an increase in swim sales as a result of enhanced opportunities for people to swim for free and to swim outdoors, combined with the growth in triathlon, Aqua Sphere is inviting retailers to take a fresh look at their aquatic space to see if it can work harder for them. With free merchandising packages to suit all sizes of space, from the smallest counter display to a comprehensive store-in-store Swim Zone concept, please call 01254 692200 for friendly knowledgeable advice.
Great Swim Series Proves a Huge Success
From farmers and clergymen to civil engineers, musicians and the police - more than 10,000 people have participated in the British Gas Great Swim series this year. Participants in London, Strathclyde, Windermere and Ipswich have taken the plunge and swum one mile in open water, proving that outdoor swimming is more popular than ever before. Innovative swim brand Aqua Sphere is proud to be the Official Swim Kit Partner to The Great Swim and is delighted to share a key role in its success.
Speaking about the events as a whole, Colin Hill, Event director commented: “Our vision for Great Swim was to inspire people from all backgrounds and abilities into trying outdoor swimming for the first time as well as having the world’s best competing in the same event. Whatever the reasons for taking part, the bottom line is all about inspiration and enjoyment”.
And inspire people it did. From Julian Crabtree who successfully completed every wave in all four Great Swim events, swimming a total of 43 miles which is the equivalent of swimming the Channel and back, to a deaf-blind swimmer, and a swimmer who spent 9 months in a coma, and even an 86 year old entrant! Speaking about 2010, Hill said “We are already excited about the prospect of next year’s events and, building on the successes of 2009 we are talking about adding a fifth swim to the series. This is the second year that Aqua Sphere has supported us and we really value the brand's foresight and commitment to helping people enjoy outdoor swimming. Aqua Sphere's outstanding quality goggles and wet suits have been essential kit for many participants. We value quality relationships and we look forward to continuing this partnership in 2010."
Highly regarded for its outstanding goggles which deliver panoramic wide-angle 180-degree vision, comfort and fit, Aqua Sphere’s revolutionary Seal XP, Vista, Kaiman and Kayenne goggles deliver a comfortable, leak-resistant seal for surely the most comfortable swimming experience possible. Keeping water out and eyes safe, Aqua Sphere’s patented 100% UVA/UVB lenses offer unparalleled wrap-around vision and the new and highly innovative Quick-Fit™ one-touch buckle enables swimmers to fine-tune their fit even whilst they swim, focusing on their swim instead of fidgeting with their eyewear. In February the brand launched a series of ' Ironman - Powered by Aqua Sphere ' wet suits offering superb performance for all levels of swimmers and triathletes. Prices are competitive and the wet suits offer superb flexibility, durability and warmth to help swimmers attain greater enjoyment from outdoor swimming. For info call 01254 692200.
Aqua
Sphere Chosen as Official Swim Kit Partner to
The Great Swim
Innovative swim brand Aqua Sphere has been
chosen as the Official Swim Kit Partner to The
Great Swim, a breakthrough series of outdoor
swims which include The Great North Swim, the
biggest open water mass participation swimming
event in Britain. The inaugural Great North
Swim took place last September, comprising a
one mile open water swim on England’s largest
natural lake, Windermere. It proved so successful,
with 2500 swimmers of all abilities taking part,
that event organiser Nova is extending the event
over two days for 2009, providing up to 5000
swimmers with the chance to take part over the
weekend of 12th and 13th September. With the
Great North Swim as the iconic event, other
Great Swims are being planned across the UK
to create an exciting series - including the
Great East ( Sept 26th ), Great London ( August
15th ) and Great Scottish ( date to be announced
). Click on www.greatswim.org
for info.
Aqua Sphere is proud to partner this series
and is offering participants wet suit hire as
well as generous discount vouchers which can
be used against wet suit or goggle purchases.
Aqua
Sphere Capitalises on ITV's I'm a Celebrity Popularity
Capitalising on the fact that hundreds of
its distinctive Seal masks, Kaiman goggles and
Seal Kids masks have been seen by millions on
ITV's smash hit show Im A Celebrity Get Me Out
of Here!, Aqua Sphere has agreed an exclusive
contract with ITV to use the programme's logo
on its eyewear packs.
Look out
for the stickers on all clear frame packs which
are timed to help retailers make the most of Spring
and Summer sell-through. For more information
on the fastest growing name in swimming call 01254
692200. www.aquasphereswim.com
