Medals: In the 2k event Fiona McWhirter (above, left) and Susan Green

Published: 30 August, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

SWIMMERS from Camden Swiss Cottage Masters tackled testing temperatures at the weekend as they swapped the pool for the open water to take part in two competitions at different ends of the country. 

In northern Scotland wetsuits were very much necessary the water was a bracing 10°C for the annual Monster Swim in Loch Ness.

Nari Lawrey was more than up for the one-mile challenge as she was the second woman home out of 164 competitors with a time of 21 minutes and 50 seconds, missing out on first place by a mere four seconds.

Club-mate Susan Maclean was the 15th female to cross the finishing line in a time of 26 mins, 8 seconds.

In the half-mile race, Justine Gosling finished second in the women’s ranks in what was only her second open water event.

Meanwhile at the other end of the country, a much larger contingent of Camden swimmers travelled to Eastbourne, where the water was a positively balmy 19°C.

The 5k event saw Pasan Muthumala and Chris Hopton finish second and third respectively.

Team-mates David Josephs, Helen Close and Lauren Green all won medals in their respective age groups.