Tips from the top as leading triathlete teams up with swimming experts

ONE of Britain’s leading triathletes has joined forces with Swim the Lakes to pass on advice to swimmers and SwimRun newcomers.

Chris Stirling, a multi-sport athlete who competes in the toughest races around the world, will join the Ambleside-based experts for a wetsuit try-on event.

The try-on gives swimmers the chance to learn more about wetsuits, how they should fit, and try them out  in the water, under guidance of experts, to ensure they get the right fitting wetsuit. “The wetsuit fit is crucially important as it affects a swimmer’s performance and comfort in the water,” said Swim the Lakes director Andrea Kelly.

Chris Stirling leads team mate into the water at a SwimRun event in Scotland

Stirling won the Ben Nevis Braveheart race last year, has placed 2nd at the Celtman races and completed the mighty Norseman extreme triathlon in which participants start by jumping from a car ferry into the waters of a fjord. This summer he will be tackling the inaugural CanadaMan event, where he’s been invited to be a participant reporter. He has also represented Northern Ireland for Mountain Running.

SwimRun events are becoming increasingly popular in the UK. They started in Sweden with the concept of teams of two navigating around the Stockholm archipelago without stopping for transitions, swimming and running carrying everything needed. The SwimRun ethos is based on team work, each member of the pair being responsible for their team member and their progress as they travel trough the landscape. SwimRun appeals to runners, swimmers, endurance athletes and triathletes alike.

There are already a few SwimRun events in the Lake District and this year it will feature for the first time at the Great North Swim

Stirling, who lives in Ambleside, uses a Zone3 Evolution SwimRun wetsuit which will be available to demo on the day. He will be sharing his advice for SwimRun events and kit.

Swim the Lakes Wetsuit try-on event with BlueSeventy and Zone3 Evolution wetsuits is on Sunday May 14 at Ambleside YHA. Booking is advisable; please see https://www.swimthelakes.co.uk/for more information or ring Swim the Lakes on 015394 33826.

 

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