Dave and Justin in Sweden

Just in case you’ve seen Dave Pratten and Justin Matthews running around the Purbecks in cut down wetsuits with a pull buoy tied to their thigh and wondered why.here’s an […]

Just in case you’ve seen Dave Pratten and Justin Matthews running around the Purbecks in cut down wetsuits with a pull buoy tied to their thigh and wondered why.here’s an amazing race report from the boys from their adventure in Sweden.

(I realise that many of you, even if you have seen Dave doing the aforementioned odd stuff would have not given it a second thought as it was Dave – the bloke who jumps off the back off ferries, swims in the sea at Christmas in his speedos and started doing triathlons in 1873 – this time he’s dragged Justin into it!)

Here’s an amazing race report from the boys from their adventure in Sweden in their own words:

Justin and I travelled northwards through Sweden for this event which takes place on the same latitude as Iceland.

High Coast SwimRun is a unique race in a truly unique environment. Teams of two race together from island to island (ÖtillÖ). The teams swim between the islands and run on them. The total distance is 36.7 km of which 6.8 km is swimming and 29.9 km are running.

The course is around an archipelago starting and finishing at the same place. Most of the course goes through the woods on the hilly islands but also takes in beautiful trails, boulder strewn shores and gravel roads. Some islands and most of the trails are very technical demanding. The swim sections are between 100 and 1800 meters long. When coming up from the water at Balesudden cliff teams faced a 100m plus vertical ascent, achieved through ropes, handholds and advice from a resident mountaineer.

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All athletes are responsible for their own safety and must carry nutrition, first aid kits, shoes paddles and pull buoys.There 30 in and outs (transitions) and most keep their run shoes on throughout and wear specialist swim / run wetsuits.

The team Tripurbeck stood out from the start in their improvised wetsuits held together with black witch adhesive and bike inner tubes. After an eventful first swim section which involved 180 plus swimmers wearing hand paddles negotiating a 90 degree turn simultaneous we settled into the only easy run section of the course. Then it was hand paddles on, suits zipped and back into the water to swim to the first island. This was an uninhabited gem, no tracks no trails or paths just,rocks, trees and lichen. We were then greeted by a rumbling sound as a giant moose appeared from nowhere and run across us. It was the first of a number of adventures. 

The race started in sunshine with calm seas but by the time we reached the long swim sections the wind and waves increased making staying on course and together a challenging task. Hampered by a sore back and advancing years I held Justin back on the run sections giving him time to take in the great views.

We managed to finish midway down the field, safely and with smiles on our faces.

In case you think we are mad Justin is talking about a Tripurbeck return involving several teams in the future. Certainly swim/ run is now a big thing in Scandinavia which is set to become all the rage in the UK soon.

 

About Ade

What ever your goals in life may be, there is always time to achieve them. You might want to lose weight, run your first 5k, or improve your personal best, whatever your specific goals are you can achieve them with structure, time management and determination!