Otters at World and European Aquathlon Champs

Otters have been branching out into multi-sports since long before Rachel Joyce started smashing the world of Ironman triathlon. Whilst many have representative honours at triathlon, more Otters are turning their hand to growingly recognised Aquathlon scene (being better suited to the more balanced split of the splash and dash format).

This year, current Otters, Pip Bennett & Ed Buckley travelled to Samorin, Slovakia for the Worlds and were joined by ex-Otter, Sean Kinsey, in Bilbao, Spain for the Europeans – with Pip looking to build on his debut bronze in 2021.

The two venues provided contrasting experiences and races.

The Slovakian Olympic training centre in Samorin was also hosting the Collins Cup, so we were able to train in stunning facilities, alongside the world’s best triathletes. The 30-plus degree heat meant for a non-wetsuit swim in the Danube, with a mass start.

Pip, as his custom, led his age group out of the water (10th overall out of 300 swimmers) and tried to hold off the field on the run. Eventually he was hauled back by two familiar foes, with just 20 seconds separating the podium places. Ed, on the other hand, had to try and regain time on the run, positively relishing the hot conditions to record 17:38, earning a silver in the M45-49 category. Both finished together on the blue carpet, in 18th & 19th place overall respectively, with Ed wanting another 300m to overhaul the difference.

Whilst Samorin was compact, Bilbao was spread out; with a one way wetsuit swim in the estuary, a nefariously dangerous swim exit, followed by a run along the promenades. This time the different age groups went off separately, the older competitors being further from high tide; whilst gaining from a stronger current, suffered greater wind against tide chop for 800m.

Sean competing in the M55-59, benefitting from all his open water experience, was incredibly the fastest swimmer overall of the 350 competitors, Pip not far behind in 5th.

Once again, Pip had a 35 second lead to protect, but was overhauled by a Pole in the closing stages to miss out on the gold by just 7 seconds. Sean had almost a minute’s lead, but that was soon whittled away by a very fine Spaniard. Ed wasn’t able to replicate his Slovakian run heroics and was disappointed to only finish 6th (though that did represent 2nd of 18 Brits in his age group).

3 silvers and a bronze from the 2 championships represents a fine haul for the Otters.

British Aquathlon Championships 2022

A number of Otters like to take part in multi-sport races and the recent British Aquathlon (750m swim/5km run) Championships at Eton Doney (Saturday 16 July) saw three Otters aiming to claim silverware on the national stage.

Competing in the same age group were Pip Bennett and Matt Burgham (40-44) and they were joined by Ed Buckley (45-49). All three set off in the first race of the day, enjoying a non-wetsuit race in the 25 degree Dorney rowing lake.

First out of the water was Pip, taking a commanding lead after repping 1:24/100m for the 750m swim. Matt was second out some 43 seconds behind, with Ed a further 28. After quickly popping on their trainers and race numbers, Ed caught Matt quickly, but couldn’t quite catch Pip in the early morning heat.

Pip was himself in a battle at the front of the race and ultimately claimed the silver medal in his age group and 10th overall. Ed also claimed silver in his age group and 14th overall. Matt gained 5th and 34th overall, but was 3rd Otter home.

The world championships are held in Slovakia in just a months time and there’s a good chance of more silverware to come!

SLSC Summer Aquathlon Series

With a format slightly longer than “official” Aquathlon races, the South London Swimming Club Summer Aquathlon Series allows you to enjoy mid-week summer racing in your backyard (if you live in south London, that is). The pool has an unusual length - 90m, but the 4 races allow you to calibrate your swim & run efforts, as well as to experiment with different paces.

The event is a 1km swim (11 lengths of the pool) followed by a 7.5km run around Tooting Bec Common and the series consists of four events on Wednesday evenings between the end of May and early July.

Otters Pip Bennett and Fedor Gorokhovik won their respective age groups - in each of their 3 races and overall, and they were awarded a mug(!). They both improved by more than a minute since last year’s race, with best times of 42’36 (Pip) and 42’07 (Fedor) respectively.

English Aquathlon Championships 2022

Otters Pip Bennett, Ed Buckley and James Manning recently competed in the English Aquathlon Championships (750m swim, 5km run) in Nottinghamshire at the Sywell Aquathlon (Sunday 19 June). It was a strong Otter performance as all medalled in their respective age groups with Pip taking Gold in the 40-44 age group, despite having to vault a closed gate during the run and getting a nasty wound on his arm. Ed and James took silver in their age groups, 45-49 and 25-29 respectively. The event was a good warm up for Pip and Ed before the British Aquathlon Championships in July and the Worlds in Slovakia for Pip later this year.

Pip Medals at World Aquathlon Champs

Pip Bennett, one of our Otter swimming captains, won a bronze medal at the recent World Aquathlon Championships, held in El Anillo, Spain on 30 October. Excellent result, well done Pip! Pip’s summary of the event follows…

After multiple cancellations, the World Aquathlon Champs eventually took place on 30/10/21 in El Anillo, Spain, about 250 km west of Madrid. The storms that were forecast certainly made their presence felt but athletes were grateful that during the race itself it remained dry. The course involved a 1 km open swim, a very steep and long run out to transition followed by a 5 km trail and road run. Making my international multisport debut, I finished with a bronze in the men’s 40-44 category.

Open Water and Multisport Round Up Aug-Sep 2021

Otters have been making the most of racing opportunities in open water and multisport all around the country. As the 'outdoor' season comes to a close in the UK, some of their results are below. On top of the Otter private open water races usually held each year (Mile, Half Mile and Quarter Mile) you can see that Otters keep themselves busy. If you are keen to get involved with open water or multisport do ask your team mates for info and advice.

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15th Aug - Thames Marathon and Half Marathon - Henley

Amy Barton, Lucy Barton, and Carla Thornewell competed in the arduous Thames Marathon events this year. Amy finished 3rd in her category and 10th overall in the marathon event and Lucy won her category in the half with Carla finishing 2nd in the same category.

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20th Aug - Annual JLL Triathlon - Dorney Lake

On Friday 20th August, James Manning took part in the annual JLL triathlon and swim event at Eton Dorney. He took home the bronze in the 2.2km swim and was part of the winning relay team for the men’s triathlon relay, having swum the first leg.

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4th Sept - Great Britain Masters Open Water Championships - Pontypool

Lots of familiar faces gathered at the reservoir just outside the village for the British Champs 3km open water. Although it was a bit of a melee to the first turn buoy the field spread out by 500m. A strong wind and surface chop certainly made it feel like a proper open water race. Pip Bennett won Gold in the M40-44 category.

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4th Sept - Dock2Dock - London Royal Docks

Rosie Galvin has been competing in long-distance open water events for the past few years. Most recently she competed in the Dock2Dock 15km, coming 2nd in her category (female, non-wetsuit). Last summer she was also part of an English Channel relay, in prep for a solo attempt (hopefully) next summer.

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19th Sept - English Aquathlon Championships - Worthing

A calm(ish) sea swim followed by a looped 5km course on the promenade was the site of Otter success at the recent English Aquathlon Champs. As ever the run-in beach mass start was frantic with the multitude of swimmers doing their best against the tide to reach the first turn buoy in one piece. The run was busy but well organised with athletes collecting a band after the first lap. All competitors enjoyed the breakfast put on for them afterwards! Pip Bennett won Gold/12 (M40-44), Heather Shannon Silver/9 (W35-39), and Ed Buckley finished 6th/13 (M45-49).

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25th Sept - VO2 Eton Dorney Triathlon - Dorney Lake

In her final triathlon of the season, Jenny Chaplin competed at the VO2 Eton Dorney Triathlon. She was first out of the swim, kept her position on the bike and finished 2nd in her category having been passed by an 'absolute machine' on the run.

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26th Sept - Keen as Mustard SwimRun - Bewl Water

On Sunday 26th September, the “As Keen As Mustard” SwimRun event was held at Bewl Water, Kent. Whilst slightly overcast it was a great event for everyone involved. In his first SwimRun James Manning won his age group and took the silver overall in the 6km race.

GB Aquathlon Championships

Saturday 17th July saw Ed Buckley and Pip Bennett competing at Dorney Lake in the GB Aquathlon Championships. Blistering heat, even with a race start of 8AM meant the 750m swim was non wetsuit. The 5km flat race course to the other end of the lake and back meant, even with Covid distancing, it was possible to keep track of other competitors. Ed finished 4th in the M45-49 category while Pip picked up bronze in M40-44. He adds this to his series win at that South London Swimming Club Aquathlon Series held in Tooting over the previous couple of months.

Open Water and Multisport News

On Sunday 4th July a few Otters made the most of the racing opportunities at the Hever Castle Festival of Endurance. Despite the sometimes torrential rain, all the events took place.

First off was Rosie Galvin in the 10km open water swim. The 06:15 race start time did not stop her powering through to finish 3rd in the women’s non-wetsuit category. At the more civilised time of 08:30, Robyn Carter and Pip Bennett took part in the 1.9km swim/10.5km run Aquathlon. Undeterred by the wet and muddy trails Robyn finished 2nd woman and category winner and Pip overall winner.

Getting away from the event was rather trickier with the wet weather turning the car park into a muddy trap for city cars!