Wacky couple dreading death defying dip in frozen Lake Bled
Not content with braving the cold in the UK, James Bamber and Sally Raynes, the crazy couple behind the Wacky Nation book and website, are embarking on their first mad jaunt overseas.
Along with 700 other crazy swimmers from 20 countries, they will be competing in the World Winter Swimming Championships in Slovenia. Competitors race over either 25 metres or 50 metres in breaststroke or freestyle in the near freezing waters of Lake Bled. Both James and Sally entered the 25-metre freestyle race, and as James admits, even 25 metres could be just one length too much.
"We're both keen outdoor swimmers, known as those 'two insane
idiots' often seen in the sea off Budleigh Salterton in South Devon, and given our propensity for daft contests, the winter swim is probably our perfect event.”
But it's going to be a whole new ball game over in Slovenia for the daring duo, where officials must first cut into the ice to create the temporary lido and where the current air temperature is in double figures, and that’s minus double figures! To add to their woes, apart from a pair of trunks or a bikini, the only concession to warmth will be a woolly hat, although James plans to dab some duck fat in more delicate areas when the officials aren’t looking.
"I'm only a skinny guy with 1% body fat, competing against barrel-chested Russians and Finns who think nothing of an icy plunge. 25 metres may not sound very much, but in freezing water, fingers, toes and the dangly bits will really suffer. It's definitely going to be a case of kissing goodbye to my manhood, where my nether regions will be no more. But at least I’ve got my lucky pair of orange trunks!”
Unlike Lewis Pugh, the human polar bear who has swum in the Arctic, there will be no mind over matter psychology for James as he readies himself for the inevitable plunge. Instead he’s on a ‘HIGH-TOX’
Provided James and Sally have thawed out in time, next stop on their wacky tour will be a more sedate pancake race in February somewhere in the UK, as they continue to promote Wacky Nation, raise money for charity and gather material for their second book.
James and Sally can be sponsored for their chilly swim, by following the link on their website, www.wackynation.com
James and Sally can also be contacted via email, wackynation@
Information on the 2010 World Winter Swimming Championships
The World Winter Swimming Championships, occurring every two years, is this year taking place in Lake Bled, Slovenia from Friday 22nd January to Sunday 24th January 2010. The competition is based in the lake with its famous island and church just few hundreds meters away and an impressive Bledcastle rising on a cliff above the Bled Lido. Besides the 25 and 50 metre races, there are relay races, a long distance endurance race (strictly for the certified insane) and even non competitive swimming.
Further details at www.2010winterswimming.com
ENDS
Notes to Editor
FYI
1) JAMES BAMBER
James Bamber from Tiverton in Devon is co-author of Wacky Nation: 50 unbelievable sports and contests. He has taken part in 115 mad, crazy and downright idiotic events in the UK and is on an action packed schedule to enter contests and races around the world with the underlying intention to discover THE wackiest contest, race or championship, whether it is in Totnes or Timbuktu. James finally achieved his first major victory at the end of 2009, when he won the Pantomime Horse Grand National in Birmingham. He is open to challenges from anyone disputing his status as the world’s craziest person.
2) Wacky Nation: 50 Unbelievable Days Out at Britain’s Craziest Contests
James Bamber and Sally Raynes present 50 of the oddest contests you could ever have imagined. With a strongly practical, get-involved-
