Jessika Robson from Hillsborough has won the annual Open House Festival Pickie to Pier Swim in Bangor on Belfast Lough for the third time.
Previously winning in 2022 and 2021, Jessika was pipped to the post at last year's event by the USA's elite open water swimmer, Catherine Breed. Having become the youngest swimmer to cross the North Channel in October 2023, Jessika reclaimed her Pickie to Pier crown on Saturday, 6th July, completing the 850m course in just under nine minutes, 90 seconds ahead of second-placed Katie O'Parka from Holywood. Kirsty Kee from Belfast was the next swimmer home, making it an all-female winner's podium for the third consecutive year.
Swimmers gathering for the Pickie to Pier Swim in Bangor on Belfast Lough Photo: Kenny Gibson
The legendary swim dates back to 1910 but was resurrected by Open House Festival in 2019 to spectacular success following a 30-year absence. This year, the course was modified to pay homage to the original route. It started and finished at Skippingstone Beach on the west side of Bangor Bay (Pickie), with participants swimming across the Bay towards the Pier, navigating around an 800m marked course before returning to the beach.
The 2024 Pickie to Pier swim underway off Bangor. The legendary swim dates back to 1910 but was resurrected by Open House Festival in 2019 Photo: Knney Gibson
The event is supported on the water by the charity Safer Waters, Kevin Baird, the Harbour and Marina Manager, the local RNLI and volunteer safety crews who man the route on boats, kayaks and paddle boards.
