IN 1875 Matthew Webb took it upon himself to swim across the English Channel, becoming the first person to do so.
Since then dozens of people have followed his example, some of them actually swimming there and back again.
All this is commendable, but is the sort of illogical action that would certainly have baffled Mr Spock, late of the Starship Enterprise.
Our Matthew was a seafaring man, a master mariner no less.
He was certainly aware that the channel was being crossed on a regular basis by steamships, which would unquestionably have got him across in considerably less than the 22 hours that it took him, and he could also have had a cup of tea and a chip butty en route.
Furthermore, given the obvious difficulties inherent in doing a front crawl while carry a duty free allowance of fags and drink. It's hard to see the point.
However, he did set a precedent, and human beings still confuse Mr Spock by leaping into the sea just for the hell of it.
Citizens of Withernsea are no exception. There is a lot of water here, and the temptation is, it seems, irresistible.
However, swimming across the North Sea to the nearest bit of mainland Europe, is a little too challenging, even for the hardiest of ducks, so instead the competitions will consist of two races, one of a mile and the other half that.
To ensure a level playing field, seals and dolphins not domiciled in Withernsea will be automatically disqualified.
The competition starts at one on Saturday 10th August. It is anticipated that even those competitors whose aquatic ability stretches to a feeble dog paddle will manage to finish on the same day.
The mile route is from the Lifeboat Station to the beach at captain Williams as the tide is going out and they will swim with the current.
The half-mile is from Pier Towers to Captain Williams.
You can enter the swims here
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