MORE than 600 people took to the water in South Devon this weekend for one of the UK’s most popular outdoor swimming events.

The Bantham ‘Swoosh’ sees participants take advantage of a natural tidal surge which occurs at the mouth of the river Avon in Devon, adding a pickup at the end of the swim on the outgoing tide.

Organised by the Outdoor Swimming Society, ‘The Swoosh’ is in its second year and attracts hundreds of people to one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches. Bantham Beach was last year voted the 6th most beautiful in Europe by prestigious global travel experts Lonely Planet.

‘We’re so delighted that The Bantham Estate has been so supportive and given us another priceless opportunity to come and swim here again,’ said organiser Kate Rew. ‘Our members have had a fantastic day, they got out chilly but happy, buoyed by the Swoosh at the end which picks you up at the exact moment that you are tired and carries you to the beach at the finish.’

The swim is a fundraiser for the Outdoor Swimming Society, a worldwide community of swimmers which promotes safe, free, outdoor swimming.

Some of the proceeds from The Bantham Swoosh are to benefit the nearby Aveton Gifford Community Outdoor Pool. ‘It’s an open air pool in the village where the swim starts,’ continues Kate. ‘It’s attached to the school, and used for primary school swim lessons as well as open for village use.

‘It’s a wonderful facility that now needs to be self-supporting and we are delighted to be supporting it. There will be charity swim places available in future years for swimmers willing to fundraise for the pool - so please bear this in mind for next year, and maybe meet the pool representatives this summer if you think you can help!’

For more information on The Swoosh and The Outdoor Swimming Society please visit www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com and for more information on Bantham Beach and Estate, go to www.banthamdevon.co.uk