Nappy Man Makes a Splash!

What a stunning warm summer evening for The annual Paignton Regatta Round the Pier Swim which really is an all singing and dancing community event. Thirty-five intrepid swimmers including the return of ‘Mankini Man’ Ali Sular, who this year was dressed as a nappy clad baby complete with dummy. He even brought a little friend with him also in a loose fitting nappy! There were super fit competition swimmers, recreational swimmers, swimmers in rubber rings and I think that one even had a rubber duck! What is also brilliant is the age range which spanned over sixty years! How good is that!

Someone asked me the distance to which I simply had to say “’Tis out to the end and all the way back.” Needless to say that all thirty-five were counted out and all thirty-five were counted back in ably supervised by Harbour Sports Kerrie Waller (aka Sister Agnes).  Kayaks and safety boats from the 6^th Torbay (Britannia) Scout Group kept a watchful eye on the splashing swimmers, Lifeguards Claire Moran and Sophie from the Redcliffe Hotel Spa kept a very sharp eye from the beach. Paignton Sailing Club’s Liz Rayner wrapped shivering swimmers in space blankets before sending them off for a hot drink provided by Deputy Mayor Dave Thomas.

Paignton Regatta is a wonderful event and despite biblical downpours during the week it has brought a smile to many. Regatta committee member, Guy Henderson, presented the Regatta Swim cups to Adam Carter who splashed home in first place and to first lady home Catherine Taylor. The first three men and the first three ladies home also received Paignton Regatta medals plus some rather nice prizes. A medal was also presented to Nappy Man Ali Sular who braved the cold to raise money for the child charity Sparks.

Mankini Man at Paignton Regatta Round the Pier Swim

On Saturday evening (18th August) Ali Sular aka Mankini Man once again takes to the water off Paignton Pier for the annual Paignton Regatta Round the Pier Swim. Many people will remember his spectacular unveiling last summer as hundreds of onlookers gasped when he galloped off into the sea.

Ali very generously offered to do this to help Linda Vaus raise funds for Sparks (www.sparks.org.uk). Linda ran the London Marathon in April this year in 4hrs 34 mins, which was a huge personal achievement. Her target was £2,000, and due to her husband's ill health she has not had much time to fund raise. Go for it Mankini Man!

Paignton Regatta of course raises many thousands of pounds for local charities including the RNLI and committee members will be circulating around the start line at 5.30pm (the start is at 6pm). Swimmers swim out to sea, around the end of Paignton Pier and then back to the beach. 6th Torbay Scout safety boats and kayaks will be keeping a watchful eye of out intrepid swimmers.

It really is great fun and tends to attract a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters. There are still a few places available and entry forms can be collected from Harbour Sports on Paignton Harbour.

Summer fun......

The Olympic two weeks somehow made the sun come out and for a short while summer sunshine  brought a smile to drooping faces. Sunshine is such a tonic for all of us and splashing about on the beach in a pair of surf shorts sends a tingle and tends to reach long dead extremities!

It's August 11th today and the start of the annual PAIGNTON REGATTA which means the annual Harbour Sports Round the Pier swim is only a week away. The start is at 18.00hrs on the 18th August and you can find an entry form on the web cam page of the Harbour Sports website.

Curious how a little sunshine seems to be the starting signal for barbecue action and how popular the OLD GUYS RULE  apron and Smokin tee range is. If you are going to barbecue then look like you mean it! You can be the living legend on your own mind!!

As I writing this on a Saturday afternoon I am also flicking between the various tills and can see that this fine weather has lots of people buying wetsuits which means that the watching is over and action is in the air.

There's a good wave crashing up the beach in Torbay with loads of folk enjoying the thrill of wave hopping, surfing and simply playing. How good is that?

Come and play..................................

Live the life....f