Sidmouth charity swim postponed due to cold sea

A MAJOR charity swim that was set to take place in Sidmouth this month has been postponed due to concerns over strong currents - and unusually chilly water.

More than 30 people had signed up to the 2.2-nautical mile challenge, from the town to Ladram Bay next Sunday (June 16), to raise money for men’s prostate cancer charity the Chestnut Appeal and Sidmouth Lifeboat.

Participants will now have to wait until September to take the plunge.

Organisers made the decision after four RNLI lifeboats and a rescue helicopter had to be scrambled when dozens of people got into trouble during a charity swim in Suffolk.

Rachel Shepperd, of Sidmouth’s independent lifeboat service, said: “We had to cancel it in the interest of safety – we want it to be enjoyable rather than a trial.”

“We always knew it would be cold, but even one of the girls was struggling.”

She was referring to the East Devon Babes, who trained throughout winter and were planning to take on the challenge on June 16 as part of their preparations for a English Channel swim.

Kate Jackson, Jo Billing and Kathy Anzuino will be swimming the shipping route in the first week of July.

Anyone who has signed up for next weekend but is unable to take part in the September swim will be able to get a refund from the organisers.