In this section of the site you can view the profiles of the swimmers taking part in the challenge. Check out these unique super-human candidates!
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Alex Parkinson
26
Singer in Summer Holiday
One year when I was a kid, about 8 or 9 years old in the run up to Christmas a family friend promised to take me and Tom to see Big Daddy wrestling in Halifax and my mum had been leaving heavy hints that there might be a trombone and maybe even a diver's knife in the Xmas stocking and we'd just got a dog and on top of all that our best mate Elwood reckoned he'd seen a red indian tribe in the woods and said that when school was supposed to start again we could all run away and live in their camp. I'm that exited now about swimming to Bestival.
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27
Nervous and excited about the thought of swimming the Solent again in what can only be the Best way to arrive at Bestival!
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28
Promoter
Last years’ swim was monumental, an awesome achievement by all who took part. The event wouldn’t have been able to go ahead without the support from the canoeists who volunteered their time to help in aiding us across. A huge thank you from all involved. I can’t ruddy wait!!!!
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Kate Ward
29
Swiss
"Why did I decide to swim to Bestival? I was a bit drunk. I then spent the next few weeks worrying about how deep the sea is and hepatitis C and not being able to see, so I decided to tell Colin and Yaz that I was backing out, but I got drunk. In fact, I'm completely pissed right now."
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Lee Jones
34
Rocket man
Holding my breath
Hi I AM Lee Jones.
Last year I swam to Bestival
This year..... I’m swimming to Bestival
I’m going to try to swim the 5k holding my breath,
It’s certainly going to be a challenge,
So far I’ve managed 45 seconds.
Last year was BIG,
but this year is BIGGER.
In the words of Colin Tabram ,
" LETS GO BESTIVAL!!! "
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29
Events Co-Ordinator
I only learned how to front crawl in January. I am still having lessons because I'm so rubbish... So for me this swim may be like getting a toddler to climb Everest after their first steps. As you can tell, I don't do things by halves! Hopefully, if I don't get hit by a ship, or eaten by a shark, all you lovely people will come and sing with my band at Bestival www.karauke.net.
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Gymnastics coach.
28
Sanding campervans
After completing Swim2bestival 07 I have become a minor
celebrity appearing on a number of T.V. programmes such as Can't swim Won't swim, Good Morning, Swimmer! And more recently I'm a swimmer get me out of here! Mind though celebrity life style sucks in comparison to being a BIG Swimmer! In fact a BIG Bestival swimmer!
Yes, Yes, Yes! Swim2bestival 08 here I come!
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29
Barman/dj/swimmer/snowboarder/skier
This is the only swimmer who will be representing la france, et ouais!!!!!! Is currently in training in cap breton in the south west of france, riding the waves of the atlantic ocean, and enjoying a little sun when we have some!!!!!!Bring on Bestival!!!
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Compared with the others too old!
Charity Director
Why am I doing this? Robby and the Bestival team are such fantastic supporters of St Catherine’s the charity I work for that I thought it would be great to do something in return. I regularly cross the Solent by ferry so why not take an alternative crossing to the Bestival? Will I make it? My aching muscles suggest not. However I have no option as in addition to all my friends and supporters, the children and young people at St Catherine’s will be waiting for me to arrive at Ryde beach.
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Musician
Why (after practicing in swimming pools) swimming to the Isle of Wight should be easy:
1) Salt water is more buoyant.
2) There's no drag from a locker key.
3) Tides, waves and currents will carry us there.
4) Goose fat.
Plus: I'm keeping the goose alive - with reins attached.
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Radio 1 Producer
Last year I filmed the swim from the safety of a nearby pirate ship but this year I'm walking the plank...Things that scare me most about the swim are container ships, hovercrafts, rusty shopping trolleys and submarines. But I've done a few rounds with the wave machine down at my local leisure center so hopefully I'll be ok...that is until someone mentions the word 'jellyfish'!!
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36
Not getting into trouble anymore ;-(
International Super Star DJ (Retired)
I really want to swim to Bestival to let people know I am on the way to making a full recovery after having been diagnosed with Leukemia on Nov 30th 2007. A way of saying thanks to all the people who were so kind to me when I was ill. All the people who raised money for me, cooked healthy food for me, came to see me, sent cards, emails and texts and generally supported me though what was a difficult time. I feel this would be a good way of saying thanks and giving something back to people less privileged than us.
Having gone into early ‘DJ’ retirement (or not early enough as some might say;-) I thought I better find a way of blagging a free ticket off Rob Da Bank to my favorite Festival. Swimming seemed like the only way as it sold out so early this year, I literally missed the boat!
