Fundraisers took the plunge to swim all the way from Colchester to Brightlingsea.
Sixteen hardy souls completed the gruelling journey from The Hythe along the River Colne, generating thousands of pounds for Essex Air Ambulance in sponsorship cash.
Adrian Evans, who first completed the seven-mile swim in 2002 after friends bet him he could not do it, said yesterday's event had been the biggest and best yet.
He said: "We had a good tide behind us and we managed to do it in four hours, which was really good going. It got a bit rough towards the end, a bit uncomfortable, but we all made it!"
Mr Evans, who owns Main Line Carpets, Alresford, said it was not yet known exactly how much money had been raised.
But the total looks set to be well in excess of the £2,000 collected last year, when just six people took part.
Published Monday August 2, 2004
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