Cross Bay Swim Click here to go back to A-Z page
Taken from www.thevisitor.co.uk - click image for link.
The Morecambe Cross Bay Swimming Championships started from outside the lido, and were one of the principal sporting events in the north-west. It was classed as second only to the cross-channel swim for its demands on stamina and skill.
The first known Grange to Morecambe attempt was made by a group of young Morecambe swimmers in early summer of 1907. They failed, but the attempt confirmed their belief in the Swim’s possibility. At their invitation a well known professional swimmer, ‘Professor’ Stearne, of Manchester made an attempt on July 13th the same year. He completed a crossing in 3 hours 45 minutes 41 seconds - he was 41, six foot and 15 stone and had a plate of beef steak and two helpings of salmon before setting off. His costume proved to be too heavy, so he took it off after starting and completed the swim in his birthday suit
The Championship swim was held in September that year, and was won by Brierley Law of Chadderton. He competed in the swim until 1948, winning six times. Wwith the exception of war years they were held annually since. A Ladies’ Championship was introduced in 1912.
Distance and course were variable (9-11 miles) owing to fluctuations of sandbanks and channels. There is strong but irregular tidal assistance and the Rivers Leven, Kent and Keer which flow into the upper reaches of the Bay create cross-currents of cold water. The swim was held during a week-end when there is spring tides, starting a little before high water.
The records were set in 1914 when Henry Taylor of Chadderton crossed in 2 hour, 2 minutes, and 55 seconds (he was an olympic gold medallist, and swum in the cross bay race twelve times). And Miss M Wensley of Blackburn crossed in 2 hours 21 minutes. In 1952 there were 5 cross bay swims.
For more information see The Visitor.co.uk
Here is a fabulous Pathe News Video of the event... and Photos here
The first known Grange to Morecambe attempt was made by a group of young Morecambe swimmers in early summer of 1907. They failed, but the attempt confirmed their belief in the Swim’s possibility. At their invitation a well known professional swimmer, ‘Professor’ Stearne, of Manchester made an attempt on July 13th the same year. He completed a crossing in 3 hours 45 minutes 41 seconds - he was 41, six foot and 15 stone and had a plate of beef steak and two helpings of salmon before setting off. His costume proved to be too heavy, so he took it off after starting and completed the swim in his birthday suit
The Championship swim was held in September that year, and was won by Brierley Law of Chadderton. He competed in the swim until 1948, winning six times. Wwith the exception of war years they were held annually since. A Ladies’ Championship was introduced in 1912.
Distance and course were variable (9-11 miles) owing to fluctuations of sandbanks and channels. There is strong but irregular tidal assistance and the Rivers Leven, Kent and Keer which flow into the upper reaches of the Bay create cross-currents of cold water. The swim was held during a week-end when there is spring tides, starting a little before high water.
The records were set in 1914 when Henry Taylor of Chadderton crossed in 2 hour, 2 minutes, and 55 seconds (he was an olympic gold medallist, and swum in the cross bay race twelve times). And Miss M Wensley of Blackburn crossed in 2 hours 21 minutes. In 1952 there were 5 cross bay swims.
For more information see The Visitor.co.uk
Here is a fabulous Pathe News Video of the event... and Photos here
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Miss Hazel Holroyd, winner in 1961
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A recording of a fisherman who helped with the swim is on the Morecambe Bay Partnership site www.recordingmorecambebay.org.uk/content/stories/piloting-gerald-fosberg-dorothy-perkins-charlie-overett
Start of the Cross Bay Swim through the years. Not sure of the dates, but the bottom one is probably the 1960s.
Pretty sure this postcard must also be showing the Cross Bay Swim. It's pre-1930, as a bit of the pier is still there.
