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Brothers' swim feat, 50 years on Brothers' swim feat, 50 years on
(about 6 hours later)
Two brothers from the Rhondda who each won a mile-long swimming race across the Menai Strait in the 1950s have matched or improved their records.Two brothers from the Rhondda who each won a mile-long swimming race across the Menai Strait in the 1950s have matched or improved their records.
Gwyn Thomas, 72, won it in 1956, and the next year younger brother Garfield not only did the same, but won it three years running, and broke the record.Gwyn Thomas, 72, won it in 1956, and the next year younger brother Garfield not only did the same, but won it three years running, and broke the record.
Now Gwyn has achieved his aim of completing the Anglesey to Caernarfon race in the same time as in 1956.Now Gwyn has achieved his aim of completing the Anglesey to Caernarfon race in the same time as in 1956.
And Garfield, 67, beat his previous best time by two-and-a-half minutes.And Garfield, 67, beat his previous best time by two-and-a-half minutes.
This year's race saw Garfield come 7th, recording a time of 27:14. That compared with his previous fastest swim of 29:48 in 1958, a record which lasted for 21 years.This year's race saw Garfield come 7th, recording a time of 27:14. That compared with his previous fastest swim of 29:48 in 1958, a record which lasted for 21 years.
While Gwyn came last, he recorded a time of 37 mins, the same as his 1956 win.While Gwyn came last, he recorded a time of 37 mins, the same as his 1956 win.
The Menai Strait Swim was first held in 1955 and continued for a few years before it was stopped.The Menai Strait Swim was first held in 1955 and continued for a few years before it was stopped.
After a brief reprisal in the 1980s, it was brought to life again in 1999 by the Arfon Masters Swimming Club.After a brief reprisal in the 1980s, it was brought to life again in 1999 by the Arfon Masters Swimming Club.
He sort of challenged me to take part. Of course, it's difficult to avoid a challenge like that when you're from the Rhondda Gwyn ThomasHe sort of challenged me to take part. Of course, it's difficult to avoid a challenge like that when you're from the Rhondda Gwyn Thomas
It has been held every year since, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2005.It has been held every year since, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2005.
Entries are restricted to 24 swimmers each year, as the numbers are kept down so that kayaks can accompany each swimmer.Entries are restricted to 24 swimmers each year, as the numbers are kept down so that kayaks can accompany each swimmer.
Both Gwyn and Garfield are well known on swimming circuits, along with their brother Cyril.Both Gwyn and Garfield are well known on swimming circuits, along with their brother Cyril.
Garfield had been training by swimming in Porthcawl Bay in south Wales but said the water in the north seemed colder.Garfield had been training by swimming in Porthcawl Bay in south Wales but said the water in the north seemed colder.
The brothers explained they had always been into swimming in a "big way", training at Darren Park in the Rhondda during their youth.The brothers explained they had always been into swimming in a "big way", training at Darren Park in the Rhondda during their youth.
But it was on a visit to his wife's family in Caernarfon that Gwyn, then aged 20, became involved in the north Wales race.But it was on a visit to his wife's family in Caernarfon that Gwyn, then aged 20, became involved in the north Wales race.
He said his wife's father, who was "quite a character", was involved in assisting with the race. He said his wife's father, who he described as "quite a character", was involved in assisting with the race.
He said: "Of course, here I come from south Wales, and from a university, and he (his wife's father) said, 'You people, you don't know anything about swimming in the real sea like we do'.He said: "Of course, here I come from south Wales, and from a university, and he (his wife's father) said, 'You people, you don't know anything about swimming in the real sea like we do'.
'Swim and gym''Swim and gym'
"He sort of challenged me to take part. Of course, it's difficult to avoid a challenge like that when you're from the Rhondda.""He sort of challenged me to take part. Of course, it's difficult to avoid a challenge like that when you're from the Rhondda."
Despite the "big waves" and although he swam the course in a "big curve", Gwyn went on to win the race.Despite the "big waves" and although he swam the course in a "big curve", Gwyn went on to win the race.
In 1957, Gwyn helped Garfield, then aged 17, to scoop first prize and break the record in a "marvellous time".In 1957, Gwyn helped Garfield, then aged 17, to scoop first prize and break the record in a "marvellous time".
Garfield said: "I think the conditions were much better for me, and Gwyn made a point of getting in the boat and protecting me, if you like, and making sure I went the right way."Garfield said: "I think the conditions were much better for me, and Gwyn made a point of getting in the boat and protecting me, if you like, and making sure I went the right way."
After the race, the pair were pleased with their results.After the race, the pair were pleased with their results.
Garfield said: "I try and keep the body going, I go to gym twice a week and swim at least twice a week and often three times a week and try and keep a good regime of diet and food."Garfield said: "I try and keep the body going, I go to gym twice a week and swim at least twice a week and often three times a week and try and keep a good regime of diet and food."
Gwyn said: "I was very pleased to get across. I came a gallant 19th out of 19. This time I was able to get across in a more reasonable direction."Gwyn said: "I was very pleased to get across. I came a gallant 19th out of 19. This time I was able to get across in a more reasonable direction."