PICTURES: Hundreds take part in Pier to Pier Swim

HUNDREDS took part in the Pier to Pier Swim 2024 from Bournemouth to Boscombe for the British Heart Foundation.

Despite late changes to route due to weather, 1,200 swimmers dove into the water to swim 1.4 miles for the charity.

Although not a competitive event, Jo Heath was the first to finish the swim just after 2.30pm and was shocked to have done so.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Jo said: "No way! I can't believe it! I just went in, no expectations. I just wanted to go out and have fun.

"Nothing, in particular, inspired me, I just wanted to get outdoors as I'm a big swimmer anyway."

After Jo, hundreds of swimmers made their way to the finish line on the east side of Boscombe Pier to meet friends and family cheering them on.

Arguably coming from the furthest distance to support family, Sally came with her husband, Richard, to support her sister, Louise, all the way from Sydney, Australia.

She said: "We're from Australia and this is our last weekend in the UK before we go home again.

"She did the swim last year so we're not nervous for her."

"We've been here eight weeks and it was just a coincidence that we were able to come see her swim."

Although both Jo and Louise were confident in the water, many faced the Pier to Pier Swim for the first time this year, including Chris Francis.

Chris decided to commit to the swim after he was injured which disabled him from running.

Training since December, it has been a big challenge for him, and he stated he was proud to have crossed the line.

He said: "It's the first time I've done it and it was still hard work. I did a little bit of training but it's still harder than I thought.

"I got injured and I can't run so I needed to find something else to do so I thought I'd set myself a target. It's lovely to swim in the sea, we're lucky to be here."