Bill Pickering (swimmer)
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Bill Pickering | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 19 July 1921 |
| Died | 17 August 2014 (aged 93) |
| Occupation | Swimmer |
| Spouse | Clarrie Pickering |
Bill Pickering (19 July 1921 – 17 August 2014) was an English swimmer known for long-distance open water swimming. He attributed his swimming success to a vegetarian way of living.[1][2]
Pickering was born in Overseal, Derbyshire and moved to Bloxwich in the 1950s to work as a baths manager.[3][4] In August 1954, Pickering won the Morecambe Cross Bay Championship and was the only competitor to cross the finishing line.[5] He trained on honey, raisins and a black current drink.[5]
In August 1955 he obtained a World Record for the 21-mile England to France crossing in 14 hours and 6 minutes, beating Florence Chadwick's fastest time record.[4][6] He was 1 hour 28 minutes faster than any other man.[6] In regard to his record, Pickering commented "I could not have done it if I had not been a vegetarian".[1] Pickering's vegetarian diet consisted of dairy products, fruits, grains, honey and vegetables.[1][7][8] He stated that he swam the channel on two cheese sandwiches and a glass of milk and it is not necessary to eat meat to maintain health.[1] Pickering stated that during training he eats four to five pounds of honey per week and drinks two pints of milk a day.[8] In 1958, he swam the Firth of Forth.[4]
In 1967, Pickering was the first man to make a direct crossing of the Wash, the 21 mile stretch from Butterwick to Snettisham beach in seven hours and 41 minutes.[9] In 1969, he gained a new swimming record for crossing the Penarth to Weston-super-Mare Bristol Channel in 6 hours 20 minutes.[10] Pickering became the first man to swim the Bristol Channel both ways in 1970.[11]
His trainer was Lewis Latham.[12] He was a vice president of the Channel Swimming Association.[4][6] Pickering retired in 1986 and moved back to Overseal.[4]