New Ambassador for 40th Anniversary Year

When Beau Sejour opened as Guernsey’s first indoor public bathing pool in 1976, three local charities bid to organise the first Swimarathon to encourage islanders to swim and raise funds for local charities.

The result was that members of The Round Table, The Lions Club of Guernsey and The Variety Club joined together to take on the organisation of Guernsey’s first Swimarathon. Little did any of the founding committee members know that this was to become the Island’s longest running community fundraiser raising over £1 million. 

The current organising committee is pleased to announce that Jeff Kitts has been nominated Ambassador for the 2016 Skipton Swimarathon. Jeff Kitts was not only instrumental in the organisation of the first successful event in 1976 he became Chairman of the organising committee for five years during and has swam in the event on many occasions.

Of his appointment to the role of Ambassador, Jeff Kitts said: “I’m honoured to have been invited to be Ambassador for the 40^th anniversary event and look forward to contributing as I always have done in helping to raise funds for Guernsey charities. Over the years both as Chairman of the Swimarathon and as an organiser, my connection with this event has always been strong and my son-in-law and grandsons have joined me in the pool at different times, so it has some very special memories for me.

“The biggest secret that everyone knows is that the more swimmers you have, the more funds can be raised but at the start we never envisaged just how far this event would come. Its uniqueness is that it is for people from all walks of life, young and old and although there is a competitive edge to it we promote the fact that swimming ability is not a major factor. I encourage participants, young and old, novices and seasoned swimmers to get involved and help the organisers make this a memorable 40^th anniversary.”

Steve Hogg, Chairman of the Skipton Swimarathon, said: “I am delighted Jeff has agreed to be our Ambassador in this 40^th Anniversary year.  He has been involved and a fantastic supporter of the event throughout its 40 years and it is great to have him helping us as we work to make this a special and successful year.  We are aiming to make Swimarathon 2016 the biggest and best yet with 40 local charities set to benefit from the funds raised from what is a fun event anyone can part in.”