Pete Carr Photo

Writer & Photographer

A pod of swimmers swim ahead of the main group of swimmers. There are safety boats present as they pass an industrial area.

Mersey Cross River Swim 2024

/

, , , , ,

187 swimmers of various ages, genders and abilities took part in a challenge to swim across the River Mersey. The distance is around 2 miles and you need to be a strong swimmer to battle the currents. Swimmers start just before the tide turns as the outgoing current helps you get across safely. But the final stretch requires you to push hard so you aren’t swept away towards the dangers of the ferry terminal. While a challenging swim, it’s possible to train for it if you push yourself. This year I saw a 10 year old girl, a blind swimmer and a man who used a walking stick (not while swimming) cross the finish line.

It’s wonderful to see the community come together to help people achieve this goal. It’s not about times, it’s about making sure everyone gets across safely.

Congrats to all those who took part.

Me, next year? Maybe. I said this last year but health issues prevented me from training. Hopefully 2025.

Full gallery on my archive site.

A large oil tanker heads towards the mouth of the Mersey as people watch from the promenade. They're waiting for the swimmers to cross the river.
Down the River Mersey over 150 people are swimming to get from Liverpool to Wirral. In the distance are the chimneys of Ellesmere Port.
A pod of swimmers swim ahead of the main group of swimmers. There are safety boats present as they pass an industrial area.
A group of swimmers in a tight pod formation do the crawl as they cross the River Mersey.
A man does the crawl without a wetsuit.
As swimmers near the finish line, people cheer from above.
A female swimmer has their head in the water as they do the crawl in the River Mersey. They are wearing a swimsuit, not a wetsuit.
A small group of swimmers make the final swim to finish line.
A female swimmer waves and smiles as they swim on their back towards the finish line.
A male swimmer punches the air as they get to the finish line.
A swimmer reaches the turning point to the finish line. There are silhouettes of supporters cast onto the river by the afternoon sun.
A group of swimmers hug, smile and embrace after finishing the Mersey Cross River Swim.
A female swimmer is visibly emotional after finishing the swim across the Mersey.
A female swimmer has a big grin on their face after finishing the swim.
A man and a woman embrace and smile for the camera after finishing the swim.
Two women and a man in wetsuits smile for the camera after finishing the swim.
Two women smile for the camera. One points to the other.
A woman has a shocked expression on their face as they talk to friends after finishing the swim.
A man seems content after finishing the swim.
Two men embrace after one of them has finished the swim.

|