Vindication Swim film screening – Sheringham Little Theatre

Vindication Swim

Thursday 13th March at 2:30pm
Tickets £8, U16s £5

Watch an incredible true story about Mercedes Gleitze, a pioneering British woman in open water swimming. She was the first of only two people to ever swim the Wash, and her granddaughter lives in Norfolk! 
The inspirational true story of Mercedes Gleitze, who in 1927 became the first British woman to swim the English Channel. ‘Vindication Swim’ depicts Mercedes’ upstream struggle in overcoming both the cold waters of the English Channel and the oppressive society of 1920s England. However, after a rival comes forward claiming to have accomplished the same feat, Mercedes is forced into battle to retain her record and her legacy.

Captain Fairbairn, in his capacity as a journalist as well as organiser and witness, wrote the following detailed description of the swim, which was reproduced in the Lincolnshire Standard on 21 June 1929.

Magnificent Achievement in Difficult Conditions
13½ Hours in Water 
By W.R.F.

A new record in the chronicles of sport was set up yesterday (Thursday) when Miss Mercedes Gleitze swam across the Wash from Benington (Lincolnshire) to Heacham (Norfolk) in just under 13½ hours.

The swim is a wonderful achievement and speaks volumes for her pluck, stamina, and determination. The conditions at the outset were ideal, but as the day wore on a strong wind sprang up and the sea became very choppy. Tremendous difficulties with the tide were experienced and so strong was the current in the latter stages of the swim that Miss Gleitze battled bravely against it for four hours without making any appreciable headway.