Thousands set to take the Great North Swim plunge (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Thousands set to take the Great North Swim plunge

10:30am Thursday 21st June 2012 in Windermere

THOUSANDS of swimmers will don their wetsuits to jump into Windermere for the UK’s biggest outdoor swimming event this weekend.

The Great North Swim will take place over three days, starting tomorrow, and this year is set to be the largest ever.

Ten thousand people have entered either the half mile, one mile, two mile or elite challenge which all start and finish at Low Wood Bay Hotel and Marina, Windermere.

Event director Alex Jackson said: “It’s wonderful that it’s over three days, and hopefully we shall get good weather. So many people do it to raise money, which is really nice.

“Also, on Sunday from 3.30pm to 5pm there will be a 90-minute programme on BBC Sport showing the highlights.”

Some well-known faces will be spotted in the lake, with a host of Emmerdale and Coronation Street stars due to take the plunge.

And two-time world 10km open water champion and Olympic silver medalist, Keri-Anne Payne, will show off her skills in the elite race.

Staveley open water swimming coach, Emma Brunning, held a training day in preparation for the big day.

She said: “I had about 160 people come to have a go at open water swimming, as although they had all trained in the pool, many were yet to make the transition to the outdoors.

“I have swum the Great North Swim several times and I am absolutely looking forward to taking part again this year.”