The first River Dee long distance open water swim will take place on 8th Sep 2012. The intention of organising the swim is to honour a great friend, open water swimmer and colleague, Dave Casson, who tragically died after a short illness in 2009 and to raise money for the Babygrow Appeal, which will be launched this year to enable the building of a new neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Two swims will take place: the 6 mile "Bridge to Bridge" swim, starting at the iron bridge in Aldford and the 3 mile swim from Eccleston Ferry, both swims finishing in the centre of Chester under Queen's Park suspension foot bridge. the swims are under BLDSA rules and are non-wetsuit events. Entry is online or by post with more details at

http://www.entrycentral.com or http://www.bldsa.org.uk

We recognise it's not everyone's idea of fun risking hypothermia and exotic diseases in the name of sport! If you are a swimmer, canoeist or old friend of Dave's, come and join us on the day for a walk down the river (there is a riverside path along the course) and a drink in the Grosvernor Rowing club from 3pm afterwards.

If everyone involved could contribute even a small amount that will go directly to the Babygrow Appeal we would be very grateful.

Thanks for taking the time to visit this page and looking forward to seeing you on the day.