2023 Season Trophy Winners

The Winners of the 2023 Season Trophies were announced at the AGM in March.

Some of the trophy winners attended in person and others will be presented with their trophies in the coming months.  Join us for a look at the individuals who made the headlines!

James Brennan Memorial Trophy – presented for services to the Association.

Winner: Sue Coates

The trophy was donated to recognise the members of the BLDSA who have given noteworthy service to the Executive Committee or other administrative functions so essential to the smooth running of a growing Association.  Although this award is generally directed at administrators and given to Executive Committee Members, for all the work Sue does as a Swim Controller or on the BLDSA Safety Boats as Crew member she is deserving of this.

Harry Moffatt Memorial Trophy – presented for outstanding services on the water throughout the season.

Winner: Martyn Coates

Martyn was nominated for this award for his dedication to the boat crew and the excellent work he has done this season (and of course, previous seasons!)  Martyn has been at lots of events this year and is always reliable and willing to help the Association.

Hans Belay Trophy – presented to recognise an outstanding swim by a BLDSA member during the year as an individual effort or within a championship without receiving an award from that championship.

Winner: Stephanie Ramsay

For her 21.60 Mile swim at Loch Lomond in 11hrs 54mins 34secs.

Fred Slater Trophy – presented to the Swimmer of the Year in BLDSA events who has demonstrated outstanding effort throughout the season.

Winner: Louise Orgill

Louise took part in 4 events and has attended more with her husband Rob to assist in the administration of events notably for Vince Classen at Windermere.

Tom Butcher Trophy – presented to the Junior Swimmer of the Year in BLDSA events who has demonstrated outstanding effort throughout the season.

Winner: Felipe Irvine

Felipe was one of only two Juniors in 2023 and completed the two toughest swims on the Calendar that Juniors can enter, the Champion of Champions South (Dover) in June and Windermere in September.

The Elise Brook Encouragement & Perseverance Trophy – presented to recognise an outstanding swim by a BLDSA member as a junior during the year as an individual effort or within a championship without receiving an award from that championship.

Winner: Prisha Tapre

(Photo from 2022 Champion of Champions South (Dover)).

Another outstanding swim of Windermere, this in her last year as a Junior, as she becomes a Senior in July 2024.

Breaststroke Trophy – presented to recognise the ability and dedication of any breaststroke swimmer during the season.

Winner: Helen Betley

Helen completed Windermere in a time of 6hrs 35mins 24secs.

The Avril and Alan Mitchell Trophy – presented to recognise the ability and dedication of a Veteran swimmer during the season.

Winner: Wendy Figures

(Photo – Thrybergh 2023)

Wendy completed 4 events for a total of 23.86 miles, which included the first and last events of the season.

William Keating Windermere Award.

Winner: Hector Pardoe

Hector completed Windermere in a new record time of 3hrs 40mins 28secs.  He beat the previous record by 8 minutes which was set by Justin Palfrey in 1997, 4 years before Hector was born.

Captain Webb Relay Trophy.

Winners: Scarborough Kingfishers

For their relay swim of Loch Lomond during the 2023 Event, Alicia Walls, Maddy Adams, Colleen Blair and Jane Sedman, swimming  as 3x Freestyle and 1x Breaststroke in a time of 11hrs 54mins 22secs.

Brierley Law Ladies Masters Trophy.

Winner: Helen Minshall

Who completed 1.86 miles at Bala (Llyn Tegid).

The Willy Van Rysel Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame Trophy.

(Male Masters Award)

Winner: Drew Fobbester

Drew was the only Male Master and completed the CofC South (Dover).