Apologies for there being no report in last week’s paper, this was down to my own error (writes H.B.), so we have quite a lot to cover this week with the Ocean Lava and the Wales Triathlon in Fishguard, a cancelled Caldey Swim, Fireman’s Carnival, Ironman 70.3 Dublin and the Henley Bridge to Bridge Swim.

Ocean Lava Middle Distance

The weekend saw a number of locals and members taking part in the half ironman event run by Ocean Lava in Fishguard. The event brings together an enclosed sea swim of 1.2 miles, a bike leg of 56 miles around Pembrokeshire, followed by a 13.1 mile run, and with the top 18 athletes qualifing for a free place at this year’s Ocean Lava final in Lanzarote in November there was plenty to aim at.

With a lot of members using this as a warm up ready for September, it was a very well attended event, which saw some fantastic performances.

Oliver Simon came in second with a time of 4:29 and Richard Gardiner fourth with a time of 4:45, but sandwiched between them was Dave Francis, who we all know is doing fantastic as he prepares to take on the World Championships in Kona later on in the year. It also shows how much Richard has come on in just his third triathlon, finishing less than five minutes behind Dave. Watch out Dave, Richard is coming.

There were also some other excellent performances, with some using this as their first triathlon in the true format with transitions.

The other members taking part were Jason Hitchen and Neil Morgan, who both completed the course in under six hours, with Sam Coleman, Joost Gertman, Nalda Wainwright, Adam Uka and Grant Hardy also completing the course. Well done to all, if I have missed anyone out, I am sorry.

The Wales Triathlon

Also run at the same location was the Wales Triathlon which is over the shorter distance of a 750-metre open water swim, 13-mile bike, followed by a four-mile run. It gives people the chance to dip their toe into the world of triathlon, but still with the same format and the challenging conditions that open water swimming can present.

We had six members taking on the challenge, some who had competed before and some totally new to triathlon.

Karina Ebsworth and Melanie Morgan both finished within seconds of each other, with 1:28:39 and 1:28:41, respectively, followed by David Meyrick and Jason Doyle quite close with 1:36:13 and 1:39:34 and then Stephen Fairlie at 1:55:11.

But one who has really pushed herself this year is Elaine Brace and after completing the London Marathon and Carten earlier in the year, it was a natural progression to get into the water for a triathlon, and she did excellently, finishing in a time of 2:05:19.

Caldey Swim

Unfortunately, the Caldey Swim had to be cancelled due to the weather, so a lot of our members who were due to take part have now signed up to take on one of the Man Up UK events, this time being the Solva Swim to the Edge, which is part of the Solva Edge Festival.

It is called The Green Monster, and quite simply it is a 2.5 mile open water swim starting at Solva quay, then heading out of the estuary around the picturesque Green Scar Rock and back to the harbour.

This is a monstrous and unique open water challenge for those who like to feel a real sense of achievement.

Tenby Fireman’s Carnival

Last Wednesday saw the Aces take part in the traditional Tenby Fireman’s Carnival, with thanks to the Day Family and Seasons Roofing for supplying the float, which was decorated so well by some very dedicated members in the tipping rain. As it happened, the rain didn’t matter afterwards as in the true tradition of the carnival, there was water, water, everywhere! Well done to all who took part and you all looked great.

Ironman 70.3 Dublin

Dublin and Ireland are famous for the warm welcome they give to visitors and it was only natural that some of the members of the club would want to take part in this first Ironman event being held on the Emerald Isle.

And who better to go than Chris Brace and Simon Rossiter. Now whether it was the lure of the race and the glory of going over the finish line or the few pints of the black stuff afterwards, only they will know.

They were joined by fellow competitors Lana Brace, Debbie Rossiter, Richard Graham, Pippa Dodd and our own Oliver Simon.

For Olly, this was his second middle distance in two weeks with his second place finish at Ocean Lava the week before and for Richard and Pippa their second 70.3 event of the year.

Olly had a very good race, eventually coming in with a fifth place and a time of 4:14:09. Richard also had a very good race and came in just after the five-hour mark with a time of 5:06:51, Lana then carrying on her good form for the year with 5:49:28, closely followed by Simon in 5:50:32.

Chris followed fairly close behind Simon in 6:05:16 and then with Debbie and Pippa in 6:38:30 and 6:42:23.

Excellent performances from all and the question we all want to know is whether the celebrations afterwards were completed in the same times as the race or did they go on longer?

Henley Bridge to Bridge Swim

We had six members taking on this endurance challenge, namely Carlton and Nicola Coates, Paul Slack, Ian Vickery, Erika Malin and Adam John.

The Bridge to Bridge is a 14 km endurance downstream River Thames swimming event, from Henley Bridge to Marlow Bridge. It is not a race, but a distance challenge event, and is aimed only at serious open water swimmers who would like to include a long distance challenge in their summer open water swimming season.

Run in the style of a ‘sportive’, the swim is organised into a group format, with teamwork making this a fun and satisfying event with a difference, whilst at the same time swimming over a particularly beautiful stretch of the River Thames.

Course: This runs downstream along the River Thames from Henley-on-Thames to Marlow. It is split into four stages, with feeding stations and exit routes to avoid the locks.

This was surely the longest swim that any of the members had taken on, and I know that sore shoulders and backs came with the effort that they all needed to put in, but we are very proud to say that they all completed it, with Paul Slack coming in ninth place overall with a tremendous time of 3:25, next was Erika with 3:39, Adam in 3:48, Nicola in 4:16 and then very close between Ian and Carlton with Ian just beating Carlton with 4:24 and 4:25.

Well done to all and we are sure that you would all like to do it again next year.

Aces Family BarbeCue

The Aces club beach barbeque takes place this Sunday, August 16, from 2 pm ’til late.

The plan is to meet on the North Beach by the Heart Break Steps, at the far end where we meet for swims. At 2 pm we will have a ‘duathlon’ for the kids, where they can swim a course followed by a run on the beach course, then at 4 pm approx we eat! lf anyone fancies a game of rounders, bring a bat and ball. There will be a small charge for food, but sort later, bring your own drinks.

Activities for the coming week

Sunday, August 16 - Club Barbecue.

Monday, August 17 - Sea Swim, meet at North Beach at 6 pm (just a friendly swim).

Tuesday, August 18 - Club Ride, meet at Tenby Leisure Centre at 6.30 pm.

Wednesday, August 19 - Aled’s Run Session, meet at Tenby Leisure Centre at 6.30 pm.

Wednesday, August 19 - Beginners Ride, meet at Tenby Leisure Centre at 6.30 pm.

Thursday, August 20 - Club Ride, meet at Tenby Leisure Centre at 6.30 pm.

Friday, August 21 - Sea Swim Session, meet at North Beach at 6.30 pm (safety boat cover, so Aces hats must be worn and subs paid).

Friday, August 21 - Pool Swim Session with Slacky for those booked in. Tenby Leisure Centre at 7 pm.

Sunday, August 23 - Club Ride, meet at Tenby Leisure Centre at 8 am.

Route for Tuesday, August 18: Route 13 - Penally, Lydstep, Jameston, Lamphey, Pembroke, Monkton, Hundleton, Castlemartin, Merrion, St. Petrox, Pembroke, Lamphey, Jameston, Lydstep, Penally, Tenby. (approx 33 miles) http://connect.garmin.com/activity/71651758.

Sweepers - Julie Andrasko and John Hubbard.

Route for Thursday, August 20: Route 16 - Tenby, Lydstep, Manorbier continuing past the castle up the coast road hill, rejoin A4139, then turn left into into Jason Road, heading towards Freshwater East, Lamphey, Lower Lamphey Road, Pembroke Castle, turn left onto Bush Hill, right into Woodbine Terrace, Golden Lane, Deer Park Lane, turn left down Stephens Green, right at the bottom, then left towards Carew, turn right at Carew Inn, Sageston, Old Redberth Road, East Williamston, Templebar Road, New Hedges, Broadwell Hayes, Tenby Leisure Centre (approx 28 miles) http://connect.garmin.com/activity/161949944

Sweepers - Huw Bridges and Jason Doyle

Rides leave Tenby Leisure Centre at 6.30 pm and helmets must be worn on all club rides.