The Concept Sport team who organise the fast twitch races also annually run a beach aquathlon series on alternating Wednesday nights during the summer.

I know that a few people had mentioned them and so despite it feeling far from summer on Wednesday night, I went off to take part in the first of 5 races (all varying in distance) and one being a ‘run-swim-run’! This event was a 300m swim and 4k run.

There was a good turn out of 77 people as the rain slowly cleared, most were in wet suits but a number of others were not (as wetsuits are optional). It was slightly choppy conditions and a start from the shore made for an interesting first few meters of hurdles in to the waves.

Distances 300m swim plus transition, 4km run (results for STC)

Nick Buis         3.55     12:02     15:57       1st Place       1^st    Man
Brian Minard     6:44     14:10     20:54     26th place        2^nd  50-54
Valeria Sesto    6:48     14:50     21:38     32th Place       5^th   35-39

You can register on the night at the Westover Rowing Club along the Bournemouth Seafront. I would really recommend them as a great chance to practice sea swimming in a competitive environment and then the transition of wet suit off before starting a second discipline. With a good number of people and a fun and friendly atmosphere, the races are aimed at all abilities with a series of spot prizes at the end as competitors numbers are randomly selected.