Fareham Nomads swimmers tackle gruelling 10,000m lake event – in the dark!

Charlie Hoyler, 15, and Evie Rowsell,16, were first and second in the individual event which took place over 10,000m.

The Nomads relay teams occupied the first three places in their event.

The Swim Equinox took place at Thorpe Lakes, Chertsey, where swimmers competed either solo, in pairs or teams of three to see who could complete the largest number of laps within a three-hour limit.

The first two hours were during daylight, with the final hour in the dark. Each lap was 1,000m for the first two hours, reducing to 500m for the final hour.

The youngest Nomads swimmers were Evie Medlow and Penny Worthy, both only 12; they took third in the relay event with Belle Kennedy, 13.

The girls showed amazing guts and determination in cold, windy weather to swim for three hours.

Other Nomads competing and finishing in medal positions included: Alice Rowsell, 14,

Emma Skelton, 13, and Meg Fenwick, 16.

John Molyneaux and Laura Molyneaux, both 32, from the Nomads Masters squad also won medals.

Richard Pointon, the club’s head coach, said: ‘During lockdown we were not able to train in indoor pools, but once some restrictions were lifted our swimmers trained in lakes.

‘Swimming in cold dirty water can be really challenging, especially when you are swimming with ducks and other wildlife next to you.

‘Our swimming club ranges from young children learning to swim, up to mature masters returning to swimming.

‘It is a great example to all our swimmers to see success either in the pool or open water.’