Swimming in the Canal - Interlude from USA
Dear readers,
I'm gonna bring you to a swimming contest taking place in a Canal with Locks: The Sjötorp Canal Swimming Festival (July 27). Well, we are some weeks back in Time. With RennyBA and DianeCA.
From the Locks before the Competition
The Canal Swimming has long traditions and ends up just before the last/first Lock in the Gothen Canal at the shore of lake Vänern (See RennyBA about). This year 280 people did compete. Water temperature, according to the speaker: 24 C (75 F)
The competition has 4 classes or distances. All but the shortest had to pass the Locks. Actually, they only swim into the upper lock and then run down besides the three lower ones before diving/jumping/climbing into the water for the last 200 meters (220 yards) of swimming.
The first group swim a distance of 200 meters (220 yars). There are none winners or loosers in this Group. They all receive a diploma for their efforts.
Just before start. Group 1 - 200 meters ( 220 yards)
Enlarge and you will remark every competitor wears a white swimming cap with an individual number. Why? To be recognized of course. Not only to descide who won, but first of all Security Reasons. Each swimmer had their "lifeguard" following from land to keep an eye to prevent unexpected "disappearences" - something that unfortunally ended with a tragic drowning some years ago. Now Security has Priority one.
Started - at least half of group 1
In the water.
Group 1 consists of grandpa with grand daughter, kids with life jackets, young and old. Mixed with other words. I think it's fascinating that people all ages can compete and win their private victory by completing this run. Hurray. Two young kids followed their Grandpa from land and shouted:
Grandpa - Grandpa - man go on - we are proud of you - repeated the whole distance. They were really engaged.
After the finnish of Group 1, I did walk back to the Locks.
Who but Anna did I meet at the Flea Market? (Diana and Anna went swimming out of Competion - Masters as they are)
Group 2 swim 650 meters (3/8 mile) and pass the Upper Lock, then running down 3 Locks.
Here is the leaders - they have a real competition. This year both number 1 and 2 beat the old record.
Different ways to enter the Canal after running down besides the Locks: (still group 2)
Have a closer look by enlarging, and you understand what I mean - and you also might have a good laugh.
Group 3 swim 1800 meters ( 1 1/10 mile) and Group 4 does 2800 meters (1 3/4 mile).
When they finnished, we had a trout dinner. Guess where?
Here you see the original canal swimmer. LOL.
YOU MUST ENLARGE THIS ONE
More to come...
from Sweden, USA and Norway, so stay tuned
I'm gonna bring you to a swimming contest taking place in a Canal with Locks: The Sjötorp Canal Swimming Festival (July 27). Well, we are some weeks back in Time. With RennyBA and DianeCA.
From the Locks before the Competition
The Canal Swimming has long traditions and ends up just before the last/first Lock in the Gothen Canal at the shore of lake Vänern (See RennyBA about). This year 280 people did compete. Water temperature, according to the speaker: 24 C (75 F)
The competition has 4 classes or distances. All but the shortest had to pass the Locks. Actually, they only swim into the upper lock and then run down besides the three lower ones before diving/jumping/climbing into the water for the last 200 meters (220 yards) of swimming.
The first group swim a distance of 200 meters (220 yars). There are none winners or loosers in this Group. They all receive a diploma for their efforts.
Just before start. Group 1 - 200 meters ( 220 yards)
Enlarge and you will remark every competitor wears a white swimming cap with an individual number. Why? To be recognized of course. Not only to descide who won, but first of all Security Reasons. Each swimmer had their "lifeguard" following from land to keep an eye to prevent unexpected "disappearences" - something that unfortunally ended with a tragic drowning some years ago. Now Security has Priority one.
Started - at least half of group 1
In the water.
Group 1 consists of grandpa with grand daughter, kids with life jackets, young and old. Mixed with other words. I think it's fascinating that people all ages can compete and win their private victory by completing this run. Hurray. Two young kids followed their Grandpa from land and shouted:
Grandpa - Grandpa - man go on - we are proud of you - repeated the whole distance. They were really engaged.
After the finnish of Group 1, I did walk back to the Locks.
Who but Anna did I meet at the Flea Market? (Diana and Anna went swimming out of Competion - Masters as they are)
Group 2 swim 650 meters (3/8 mile) and pass the Upper Lock, then running down 3 Locks.
Here is the leaders - they have a real competition. This year both number 1 and 2 beat the old record.
Different ways to enter the Canal after running down besides the Locks: (still group 2)
Have a closer look by enlarging, and you understand what I mean - and you also might have a good laugh.
Group 3 swim 1800 meters ( 1 1/10 mile) and Group 4 does 2800 meters (1 3/4 mile).
When they finnished, we had a trout dinner. Guess where?
Here you see the original canal swimmer. LOL.
YOU MUST ENLARGE THIS ONE
More to come...
from Sweden, USA and Norway, so stay tuned
posted by TorAa at
8/05/2008 01:08:00 am
7 Comments:
That sure was fun. I can see that when I come to Norway, you, Anna, Renny and Diane will make my stay fun!
Lovely shots of a most interesting event, Tor!!
How fun for everyone. I loved the last photograph. You are right that is the original canal swimmer. Have a great day Tor. Big hug. :)
How nice to read this post as we experienced this competition together - great to see it through your eyes and lens.
I so much remember we talked about the last picture :lol:
I will post about the same and link to yours - thanks for the link love!
Very nice post and is this an annual event? Now who would draw a fish pic and throw it there? Is this part of the tradition as well?
I didn't want to miss this super competition! I would like to be there and participe!
Ah, yes, crazy swimmers competition I call it, but so fun to watch. oh, it seems like yesterday we were at the canal!
I have to come back later and read up on all your blog posts, I must jump in the shower and get out from this apartment - the sun is shining between the rain showers. Must take advantage of the little summer that is left - right? *giggles*
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