The First Big One
In 2005 Digger was to reach a “significant” age so (for no good reason) he thought it would be nice to get 40 people to “Swim the Door” during his birthday week*.
When?
Swims were held daily between 4th and 12th June 2005. The intention was to “STD” at 11am everyday. Unfortunately the recovery process from the “night before” led to some “swims” being considerably late in the afternoon so apologies to anyone who missed us. Saturday 11th was the “Big One” i.e the main World Record attempt*
Who on earth attended?
Swimmers from all walks of life attended including accountants, archaeologists, business people, chemists, charity workers, chaplains, community workers, computer people, doctors, language translators, geologists, housewives, mechanics, nurses, physicists, students, solicitors, travellers, lecturers and even a person who sells tea at Anfield.
Where did people come from?
Swimmers flew in specially from the continent (Christiane), the Scilly Isles (Mark and Helen), the Far East (Chris and Sandra) and even Austrailia (due to difficulties with her visa, like she doesn’t have one, “Swimming Lizzy” was able to attend the event).
STD05 Role of Honour
Digger (Sa to Su), Richard (Sa), Dan E (Sa & Su), Russell (Sa & Tu), Rolfe (Su), Jo L (Mo), Dan L (Mo), Julia (Tu), Lorraine (Tu), Graham A (Tu & Th), Sandra A (Tu & Th), Neil (Tu & B1), Sandra B (We & B1), Chris S (Th & B1), Zoe (Th & B1), Lizzy (Th & B1), Kev (Fr), Jen (Fr), Christiane (Th, B1 & Su), Sarah (Fr), Greg (Fr), Emily (Fr), Megan (Fr), Hanna (Fr), Jes (Fr), Mike T (B1), Roger (B1), Dave (Fr, B1 & Sun), Helen (B1), Mark P (B1), Ron (B1), Pete (B1), Graham (B1), David G (B1), Rosemary (B1), Bethany (B1), Joscelyn (B1), Matt (B1), Catherine (B1), Alison (B1), Pamela (B1), Johnny (B1 & Su), Rog (B1 & Su),
STD05 Awards
Rolfe, Dan Earthquake, Digger and JT
Best Suppliers of Champagne
Lorraine, Julia and Russell
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Best Attempt at Drowning
Rolfe
In rough conditions on the first Saturday Rolfe changed his mind about going through The Door and swam back against the current. On reaching Rolfe Digger observed “he was on his back and very very white, but he was floating and I know he was probably ok”
Longest Time to Get in the Water
Zoe
The time of 3 hours and 20 minutes to get into a swimming position in the sea is an “official” world record.
Most Casual Swimming Technique
Graham
Floating on ones back occasionally kicking ones legs is not a technique used in the Olympics (yet!!)
Best Carrying of an Umbrella
Dan Earthquake
Furthest Distance Travelled to STD
Lizzy (Aus)
Chris and Sandra (Asia)
Christiane (Germany)
Person Who Brought Most Swimmers
David Gallico (+ 4)
Dan Earthquake (+ 2)
Alison Lievsley (+ 2)
Youngest Person to STD
Joscelyn Wooding (12)
Megan Smith (13) but assisted swim
Emily Smith & Dan Letoch (both 13) but assisted swims
Diary of a Swim the Door Addict
(aged between 39 years 360 days AND 40 years 5 days)
Saturday 4th June – The Stormy One
Attendees: Digger, Julia, Russell, Lorraine, JT, Rolfe, Di, Andrew, Harry, Richard, Isla, Ross, Mum Luke, Brian, Mike T, Ciorstaidh T and guest starring “Dan & Mrs Earthquake”.
Swimmers: Digger, Russell, Richard and “Dan Earthquake”. Rolfes swim was aborted for Health and Safety reasons.
Sunday 5th June – The Less Stormy One
Attendees: Digger, Rolfe, JT, Jo, Dan, Toby, Brian and Dan & Mrs Earthquake. I haven’t included the AA Rescue Man who attended Jo’s car because he claimed to have forgotten his trunks!
Swimmers: Digger, “Dan Earthquake” and Rolfe. JT swim aborted due to the “cold and rain”.
Monday 6th June – The Calmer One
Attendees: Digger, Jo, Dan and Toby.
Swimmers: Digger, Jo and Dan (aged 15).
Tuesday 7th June – The Birthday One
Attendees: Digger, Julia, Russell, Lorraine, Sandra A, Graham A and Emily A.
Swimmers: Digger, Julia, Russell, Lorraine, Sandra A, Graham A and a bottle of champagne.
Wednesday 8th June – The Delicate One
Attendees: Digger, Sandra A, Graham A, Emily A, Neil, Sandra and Chris.
Swimmers: (a very delicate) Digger and Sandra B.
Thursday 9th June – Another Calm One
Attendees: Digger, Sandra A, Graham A, Emily A, Neil, Dave, Chris and Christiane.
Swimmers: Digger, Sandra A, Graham A, Neil, Chris, Christiane and a small plastic dinosaur known as Dino.
Friday 10th June – Yet Another Calm One
Attendees: Digger, Dave, Kev, Zoe, Maya, Taran, Sarah S, Greg S, Emily S, Megan S, Kieran S, Jen, Hanna and Jes.
Swimmers: Digger, Dave, Kev, Zoe, Lizzy, Sarah S, Greg S, Emily S (aged 13), Megan S (who at age 12 becomes the youngest person ever to STD05), Jen, Hanna and Jes.
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Saturday 11th June – The Big One
Attendees: Digger, Julia, Russell, Mike T, Ciorstaidh T, Neil, Chris, Sandra B, Christiane, Zoe, Roger, Maya, Tarun, Lizzy, Dave S, Wendy, Helen, Mark P, Ron, Syann, Rog, Johnny C, Pete, Dawn, Elizabeth, Michael, Carol, Graham, David G, Rosemary W, Bethany W, Joscelyn W, Matt S, Sian, Nathan, Cath, Catherine, Alison, Pamela
Swimmers: Digger, Mike T, Neil, Chris, Sandra B, Christiane, Zoe, Roger, Lizzy, Dave S, Helen, Mark P, Ron, Rog, Johnny C, Pete, Graham, David G, Rosemary W, Bethany W, Joscelin W (who aged 13 becomes the youngest person ever to STD05 without a lifejacket), Matt S, Catherine, Alison and Pamela. Unfortunately Carol did not make it through The Door on this occasion, but she did lead the pack of inflatable animals for a while (probably in an attempt to get warm!).
[clear]
Sunday 12th June – The One for People who Didn’t Want to Leave
Attendees: Digger, Christiane, Dave S, Wendy, Ron, Rog, Johnny C,
Swimmers: Digger, Christiane, Dave S, Rog and Johnny C. Unfortunately although Wendy did get in the water she was 100m short of The Door.
Following the huge success of the event (STD05), Swim the Door has been repeated every year since. Pages celebrating those swims are available from the Swim the Door menu above.
*Important Disclaimer
Every effort has been made in the preparation of this document to provide as accurate information as possible. All statements and opinions are offered in good faith. The author cannot accept any responsibility for errors resulting from data supplied by a third party or the influence of alcohol or even the onset of old age. Therefore the author will not be liable for any loss of life or injury (however hideous) arising from decisions or actions made upon the basis of this document.
NOTE: Seriously now, like all open water swimming and life in general, there are dangers involved in this activity. If you are not an experenced and confident swimmer use to sea water conditions in Britain you would be stupid to try to STD.