DUNDEE’S YE Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association braved the waters of the Tay both days at the weekend to take part in two gruelling swims.

The hero of the hour at Broughty Ferry harbour on Saturday morning was a 72-year-old German woman, who took part in the double Tay swim which went from Broughty Ferry to Tayport and back.

Lotti Muller, from Hamburg, completed the swim in the remarkable time of one hour six minutes.

Winning the women’s and junior categories of the race was 16-year-old Jo-Ann McGarvey from Glasgow, who made it back in 39 minutes and 22 seconds, just 11 seconds outside the record.

Coming first in the men’s category was Neil Bowers (34) of Lancaster, who made it back in 39 minutes and 27 seconds.

Club president Joyce McIntosh said, “Conditions were good, the water was about 57 degrees Fahrenheit in the middle and there was a wind of around eight miles per hour.

“Lotti really is remarkable. When she first expressed an interest in taking part, I was a bit worried due to her age. The double Tay swim is the toughest swim we have, despite it only being two miles.

“However, she sent me her credentials, which were excellent. She has done a lot of open water swims in a lot of different places.

“She really is an amazing woman, she is very strong and she just sets her sights on something and goes for it. I would have no hesitation in asking her back again, it’s been wonderful.”

Yesterday, 15 people completed a swim from Broughty Ferry to Woodhaven—which Joyce described as difficult.

She said, “Usually the swim is tidally assisted, but on Sunday there was very little tide which gave the swimmers no help at all.”

For one member, Kirsty Mellive (14), it was the first time she had swum that distance. She finished in two hours 16 minutes and raised over £600 for Cancer Research for her efforts.

As well as members from the Dundee Club, six swimmers had travelled from Halifax to take part.

Joyce continued, “It is good that we have attracted swimmers from other clubs around the UK and nice to see so many out in the river.”

Dee Llewellyn from Halifax Swimming Club was the first lady to finish, with a time of one hour 19 minutes, and Stephen Massey of Dundee Arnhall Swimming club was the first man to finish, in one hour 27 minutes.