An “honorary Dundonian” Olympic swimmer has returned to the city to see his 50-year-old double Tay crossing record withstand a new challenge.
Bob Sreenan’s time of 38 minutes 31 seconds remained intact after the challenge by five swimmers at the event in Broughty Ferry harbour organised by Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association.
Bob (76), who swam in the 1952 and 1960 Olympics and was British champion 10 times, said he “would have been surprised” if the record had been broken.
He said, “I swam it three times between 1959 and 1961 and the fastest time was 1960. I was curious to see if the record would stand the full half-century.
“The conditions weren’t as good as this, but they weren’t bad. It was just a couple of weeks before Olympic trials and I went to the Olympics just a few weeks after that, so I was quite fit.”
Bob moved to Dundee when he was six and stayed there until 1963, the year he last swam for Scotland.
Three women and two men swam Saturday’s double crossing, with Vicky Taylor (39) of Forfar Falcons recording the fastest time of 50 minutes 39 seconds.
Vicky said that Bob’s record was “Olympic time swimming” and hadn’t expected to beat it, but she was pleased with her time.
Following the double crossing the Phibbies took to the Tay again on Sunday to compete in the Woodhaven Championship.
They raced against swimmers from other clubs in the four-and-a-half-mile stretch between Broughty Ferry harbour and Wormit.
Wendy Reid of the Phibbies was first, completing the race in one hour, 18 minutes and 34 seconds.
Andrea Gellan of the Incas came second with a time of one hour, 20 minutes and 32 seconds while Phibbie Lynsey Bovill took third place in one hour, 21 minutes and 42 seconds.