The Event Report

A record number of spectators watched a record number of entrants in the 35th 'Round The Pier Swim' (Sunday 27th July 2003) organised by Aberavon Green Stars RFC and ín which every event was hottly contested. 94 competitors including 16 ladies were sent on their way outside the Green Stars Clubhouse at the Little Warren, Aberavon Beach by the Mayor of Neath and Port Talbot CBC Cllr Peter LLOYD and and Corus Managing Director of Strip Products Mr Andy HERMAN. They all had to battle their way through a choppy sea and Nicky THOMAS, the 2001 winner , and Aberystwyth Lifeguard Garan THOMPSON swam neck and neck around the demanding course wih THOMPSON arriving back at the clubhouse finishing line in a time of 16 minutes 55 seconds, just 27 seconds ahead of THOMAS who the previous week had won 2 gold medals in the European Surf Life Saving Championships near Hamburg. earning him a place in the Great Britain team.

Closely following them were Adrian EDWARDS, James EVANS and Chris REES all members of the Aberavon Surf Life Saving Club who provided the extensive safety coverage with Port Talbot RNLI and Port Talbot Coast Guard. Next home in a time of 20mins 35 secs was 16yrs old James O'LEARY who was one of no less than 7 members of the O'LEARY family to complete the swim with his 69 yrs old Grandfather Bernard Father Jonathan and Uncles Timothy, Mathew, Michael and Peter.

The ladies event was won by local girl Kirsty EDWARDS, a student at Cardiff University, in a time of 21 minutes just 10 seconds ahead of Crynant Tri-athlete Ffion DAVIES with Gemma FRY 1 minute later.

Paul O'DWYER who the previous week had returned from Territorial Army duties in Iraq returned a time of 23 mins 40 secs to win trophies as the first Green Stars playerand the first Corus emplyeeto finish, just 10 seconds ahead of Nigel CUTHBERTSON who won the Green Stars Clum Members event for the second successive year. Second and third places in the in the player's event went to David DYER and Peter O'CALLAGHAN with Tim O'LEARY and Anthony O'CALLAGHAN in the club members event.

The veterans event for the over 50's who started and finished at the waters edge, was yet another epic struggle between 16 times winner John BAKER an Aquadome Supervisor and old rival Alan DAVIES a local teacher with BAKER out of the water just seconds ahead and this after not swimming for 5 years owing to a heart condition. The veterans event for club members was won by the swim organiser Bernard DONOVAN.

Finally the order of finishing in the Corus employee's event after Paul O'DWYER was Mark LEWIS, Dean BARNETT, John GILL and Dean THOMAS.

All the trophies and prizes were presented in front of a packed house at the Green Stars Clubhouse and thanks to the sponsorship of Patrick and Elizabeth THOMAS of Fairfield Garage Ltd and Richard BARRY of Talbot Block Ltd every swimmer received a tee-shirt. The ladies received special prizes donated by Nigel and Judith CUTHBERTSON of Port Talbot Brickwork Ltd and the first five Corus employees received inscribed pottery tankards and the new Peter ALLAN trophy donated by Corus Plc. The 35yr old Frank BURKE silver cups continue to be presented to the first in the open and club members event. The master of ceremonies was club Chairman Matthew CROWLEY.

All in all a very successful day for the swimmers, the spectators and Aberavon Green Stars RFC.

Bernard DONAVAN 01639-812357