The Dee Mile

This evening a band of 176 intrepid swimmers took part in the Dee Mile. The race has been in existence since 1921. To be Dee Mile Champion you have to live within 5 miles of the city centre and complete the course without a wetsuit. There is also an All Comers Category for those living outside the 5 mile radius and another category for those wimps who insist on wearing a wetsuit!

As someone born and bred in a seaside town you would expect me to be a strong swimmer. Well nothing could be further from the truth. Our town boasted the largest tidal swimming pool in Scotland when it was built in the 30s.

My memories of primary school swimming lessons was being marched down, usually in the rain, to this outdoor pool where we would be made to sit shivering on the steps perfecting the breast stroke. The the Bathmaster would get us into the freezing water and "encourage" us with a long pole to swim. Needless to say few of us became good swimmers.

This chap finished first, but as he was wearing a wetsuit he will not be crowned Dee Mile Champion.

The oldest swimmers in town - Respect.

This chap was happy to pose at the start of the race,at the end it is difficult to tell if he is laughing or crying. He did finish quite high up the order.

In the swim.

I think that the chap on the extreme right of this photo with his square jaw looks every inch the superhero.