Ironman Swansea 2023
It’s a big weekend for Swansea sports fans as thousands of spectators will enjoy two top class events.So how can people watching the World Triathlon Para Series Swansea and IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea get the most of the event? And what can those not attending do to make it a good weekend? The free-entry events are being organised by British Triathlon and IRONMAN – and Swansea Council is supporting them
Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “It’s going to be a great sporting weekend for the city. “There’s a huge appetite for quality events in this part of the world. Entrants and their supporters will be thrilled by the local support, our fabulous natural beauty and Swansea’s brilliant hospitality sector. These events along with all the others that the city hosts each year, will hopefully inspire even more people to compete in sport – competitive or recreational and to enjoy our fabulous local area and facilities.”
So what’s going on this weekend? This weekend (note July 15 & 16) brings the 2023 World Triathlon Para Series Swansea (Saturday) and IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea (Sunday). The first staging of the events came last summer, along with the Para Sport Festival. The 2023 edition of the latter has been running all week across Swansea. On Saturday, as well as world class racing, there’ll be live entertainment, food and drink and an SA1 Waterfront event village to keep the family entertained, with entry to the event being free. You’ll find a big screen with live event footage, leaderboards and expert commentary. There’ll be accessible seating, music, face painting and other attractions. There’ll be things to do and see from around 8am to 6.45pm. On Sunday, athletes and spectators will enjoy a fantastic route full of scenic beauty including SA1’s historic dockside, Mumbles, Gower and Swansea Bay’s sweeping waterfront. IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea entrants will take on a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike course then a 13.1-mile run. Racing starts at 7am.
Who’s taking part this weekend? Competitors will be coming from around the world. Some of the competitors being world-class, many entrants being from Wales. There’ll also be than 400 volunteers aiming to help Swansea’s big sports weekend race across the finish line.
How can I watch? Thousands of visitors will descend on the city – and thousands of local people get out to support the athletes. Great places to watch will include Prince of Wales Dock in SA1 Waterfront, the seafront road between the Maritime Quarter and Mumbles – and for the IRONMAN cycling, parts of Gower. Sunday’s spectator hotspots will include Blackpill’s Woodman pub, Oxwich’s Beach House Restaurant, Southgate’s Three Cliffs Coffee Shop, Reynoldston’s King Arthur Hotel, The Eastern Farm Shop at Oldwalls, Sherperds and the Gower Heritage Centre at Parkmill, The Secret Beach Bar and Kitchen at St Helen’s, and Blackpill Lido.
What will it mean for the roads and those living on the routes? It’ll mean temporary road closures, traffic diversions and parking restrictions from this Friday (note: July 14) morning around the city’s seafront area and in parts of Gower. This will help the organisers keep athletes, supporters and other members of the public safe. For pedestrians there’ll be designated crossing points on the cycle routes. Run courses will be signposted and marshalled. Essential access for carers will be facilitated. There are no restrictions at any time for the emergency services.
Event organisers have worked with local organisations, groups and businesses to ensure that disruption is as limited as possible. They thank residents for their understanding and will do all they can to help. The council’s city centre car parks remain open. Details: www.swansea.gov.uk/carparks
Where can I find out more info? Swansea Council is a partner in the weekend’s events which are being organised by British Triathlon and IRONMAN. There’s lots of info available – including course maps, spectator info, road closures, FAQs and visitor information – on the council’s events website and on the sites promoted by event organisers:
Wales National Airshow in Swansea
Hi SwanTV Viewers
SwanTV will be covering this wonderful event so watch outr for us during the wekkend and download the FREE app “swanTV” so you can enjoy everything local with us. Below are some tips to help you make the most of the largest free-entry event in Wales, organised by Swansea Council.
Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “We look forward to welcoming tens of thousands of people to this exceptional annual show. “There’ll be a huge amount to enjoy with air and ground displays for all the family, and we’d encourage everybody to plan ahead in order to maximise their enjoyment of the event. “We thank those whose daily routines may have to change due to the road changes which are in place for the safety of all and we also thank all our sponsors and supporters who help us to keep this great event free for so many people to enjoy.”
Wales Airshow tips
Don’t miss the Red Arrows. With their renowned aerobatics and exciting displays, the Red Arrows are a must-see. The council has just announced the times for the appearance of this world famous RAF team, supported on this occasion by DS Automobiles at FRF Motors Swansea. You can visit the DS Automobiles at FRF Motors Swansea stand next to the Red Arrows simulator in the RAF Village. The Red Arrows are due to appear over Swansea at 5pm on Saturday July 1, and at noon on Sunday July 2.
Look to the sky The big weekend will see the return of the RAF Typhoon on both days. On Sunday it will collaborate with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster in a new formation to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters raid. The Memorial Flight is also due on Saturday.
Team Raven, consisting of six experienced pilots performing formation aerobatics in their self-build aircraft, are also due to appear. Other attractions are set to include AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers, who are the world’s only formation wingwalking team, The Jet Pitts will have a stunt bi-plane performing skilled manoeuvres and there’ll be some Scandinavian flying expertise with the Norwegian Vampire.
The crowds will witness a World War Two-era American fighter aircraft, the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, plus a pair of Strikemasters, capable of speeds of over 450mph, the Fairey Swordfish bi-plane (Sunday only), the Supermarine Seafire (Saturday only), a North American Harvard (Saturday only), Wales Airshow favourites the Tigers Army Parachute Display Team, a Yak50 (an aircraft that’s twice been the world aerobatic champion, and – for fans of helicopters – the Westland Wasp (Sunday only).
Keep your feet on the ground The action doesn’t only take place in the sky. There’ll be ground displays for all the family including a replica Typhoon and Spitfire, interactive military displays, food and drink stalls, live entertainment, a funfair, two simulators including one from the Red Arrows, trade stands including airshow supporter John Pye Auctions, and – new for this year – the Motor Zone, an area for fans of cars and motorbikes with stands including Airshow supporter Sinclair Group. The ground displays are a great way to experience the Wales Airshow from a different perspective.
Plan ahead to make the most of your day. There are still some spaces available in the pre-bookable dedicated car parking. This offers convenience as they’re close to the core airshow area and also guarantee a parking space on what will be a busy weekend. Fees range from £10 and remain the same as last year, with an increase of just 50p for park and ride.
Park and ride facilities will be available at Bay Studios, off Fabian Way, and at the council’s Landore P&R site. Regular bus services will transport people from the park and ride facilities to the Civic Centre and back throughout the event weekend. Parking info: www.bit.ly/WAparking23 You can travel to Wales Airshow by train and bus with official travel partners GWR and First Cymru. More info: www.bit.ly/WAgwr23 and www.bit.ly/WAfbc23
The Wales Airshow has an official app designed to enhance the visitor’s experience. It offers access to the official timetable of displays, live updates, plane bios and more. Available on Android and Apple devices for a one-off £1.99, it can be re-download for free if you’ve bought it previously. Organisers and partners are taking a number of measures to minimise the event’s environmental impact. These include six main recycling points and three signposted water refill stations to help reduce plastic waste. Full plans and initiatives – www.bit.ly/WA23green
Stay safe! Free lost child wristbands, sponsored by Dawsons, are available from airshow information points, car park staff and from the police and fire service stands at the Cenotaph. It’s a simple and quick way to help a lost child reunite with their parents. Just write your mobile number on the back and put it on your child’s wrist.
Please check the weather forecast before you travel. Organisers hope for sun – in which case, use sun cream and stay hydrated. They’re committed to reducing plastic waste and there’ll be three free water fill-up stations at the event. There’ll be two First Aid points, manned by St John Ambulance personnel. One will be at the Civic Centre and one on the prom near the Cenotaph. Members of St John Ambulance will patrol the site throughout both days. Stewards will also be available to help.
Mike Leahy
On Your Bike!!
Hi SwanTV Viewer
I know that bikes are important, not just in helping us towards a greener environment and saving money but also in giving us that exercise that we all need to keep fit and live longer. And most cyclists ride with care and obey the Highway Code to keep the rest of us safe. Cycles are integral to out transport system and should work in partnership with motor vehicles, each having due care and attention to others. I was shocked to read yesterday that a third of drivers thought that cycles should be banned from public highways. And seven in ten of the drivers questioned said cyclists should have insurance. The findings come from an online survey of more than 12,000 UK motorists by data collection firm Yonder who asked 12,500 motorists. What do you think?
I am becoming very wary of those mavericks who ride through traffic lights, on pavements and undertake on the inside of both moving and stationary vehicles, mainly in cities. Twice in the last 7 days I have narrowly missed being hit and possibly knocked down by cyclists on pavements. The first occasion they overtook me as I walked along, almost brushing against me as they passed, and at some speed too. They rode ahead, crossed at a pedestrian crossing, still riding, and sped down on the opposite pavement. The second time I stepped out of a shop and a bike wizzed by on the relatively narrow pavement, almost knocking me over, the cyclist turning his head and shouting “Watch out where you walk!” And this on a pavement!
The Highway Code states emphatically, in Rule 64 that “You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement”. It also advises that cyclists “take care when passing pedestrians, especially children, older or disabled people, and allow them plenty of room”. I can understand that children ride on the pavement and that is probably safe because they are smaller than pedestrians and going slowly. And also where pavements are deserted and there are no doorways or gates opening onto them. But city centres are different, often crowded, mothers with young children, older people who are slow and who have poor eye-sight and hearing.
And I understand that many cyclists might feel threatened by motorists on busy roads where there are cars parked kerbside and roads may have potholes or uneven surfaces. And some vehicle drivers are either careless or menacing as they pass too close. I’ve noticed that some drivers seem to think this is a game, as is driving through puddled roads and splashing pedestrians (which is also illegal!). And cycling on roads in the rain must be difficult when visibility is poor and cars are spraying surfacewater as they pass.
There are many cycle routes now throughout the Swansea area and these are increasing year on year, making cycling safer. And the Local Authority must be applauded for this but the problem locally seems to be Swansea inner city and main roads leading there. The only cycle lane I have noticed has been outside the Grand Theatre and this is two ways in a one-way street. Theatre goers leaving may not notice approaching cyclist and I feel this is a hazard.
Visiting Bristol I was amazed that there are cycle lanes throughout the city. And they are very busy plus e-scooters are licensed and these are heavily used. I was surprised that none were using the pavements and all obeyed traffic signals. The scooters all have a registration number and I undestand that users get a discount if they wear a helmet and can be fined if caught using pavements (there must be adequate CCTV to pick this up). As a pedestrian I felt quite safe on pavements, and everyone safer, cycles, pedestrians and motor vehicles are all separated. Could this be an answer in Swansea? Cycle lanes and e-scooters!
And finally should cycles be registered, have a warning bell that is used and carry insurance? I can’t remember the last time I heard a cycle bell. Bikes are silent so riders should use their bells sparingly where necessary.
With the volume of cycles, insurance would probably be reasonably priced, must be worth considering. I’ve seen cyclists with cameras on their helmets, presumably to catch motorists breaking the law, driving too close or in case of an accident. So they have a record of registration numbers. With cyclists they can just disappear in a flash, drive through red lights, on pavements, without lights or dangerously but we have no way of identifying them. A good solution might be to show the number on a hi-vis vest that the cyclist wore. This would both identify them and make them more visible. 
So what do you think? How can we improve safety for all raod and pavement users? Should the police or local authorities take more positive steps to stop racing cyclists on pavements? Cars that threaten cyclists? Introduce more safe cycle lanes? Introduce registration numbers? Introduce local e-scooters? Maybe a media campaign. Are the rcent changes in the Highway Code appropriate and well thought through? Lets make it safer for all.
Mike Leahy SwanTV
Swansea The HOT UK destination
Hi Swantv Viewers
Swansea & Gower are now a UK destination for both long and short vacations. Living in the UK? You can get to Swansea in less than 3 hours from London, Birmingham and Manchester, perfect for a short break. And train or coach allows you to relax en route, rather than have the hastle and costs of motoring. Swansea is compact and you can enjoy beaches, countryside and nightlife either walking or by public transport. Bikes can be hired too. And Swansea has been the driest place in the UK since the beginning of May with glorious blue skies and sun drenched beaches.
We have all seen video or pictures of packed beaches, not just on the Costa del Sol but also in the UK, for example at Blackpool during the heatwaves this year. And this might be your heaven but the contrast with Swansea and Gower beaches could not be more different.
You may enjoy being on your own square metre of sand, jostling your way into the sea,queuing for that ice-cream or, if you are out of the country, longing for a Britsh cup of tea. It might be very hot (although summers here are getting longer and hotter) and the food may be different, although I hear of visitors abroad who look for english food and beer. You may have had long delays or even cancellations at the airport or ferry.
But wouldn’t it be nice to arrive refreshed after a reasonably short journey with no worry about long-term parking, being 2 hours ahead of a flight, worrying that the flight may be delayed or cancelled, sitting in a crowded plane? South Wales is just a car drive, coach or train journey away. So no passports, medical documents, no language difficulties. And if you arrive by coach or train Swansea is a waterfront city where you can walk to the beach in minutes from the city centre. For a really relaxing vacation there are buses to take you around the Gower and bikes are readily available to hire.
There are now numerous hotels from the national chains to the more intimate private hotels where a real Welsh welcome awaits with real Welsh menus of delicious mouth watering locally produced food. And the guest houses, camp sites and caravan parks offer a huge selection of accommodation to suit every pocket.
Whether using public transport or driving, just pack up a hamper which you can make yourself if in self catering, pick up sandwiches, prepared salads and drinks and off you go. Find a quiet beach ( and there are many) park up and spend a family day. Don’t want to take a hamper? There are many places to eat, great restaurants and pubs serving delicious food made with local produce.
And the beaches! You want some fun as a couple or family or just alone. There are desserted beaches, vast arrays of soft golden sand and clear safe water. Many beaches have top awards for clean water and litter free. The catch? It’s simple, many beaches are a short walk from parking and for many that’s more than enough. But isn’t it worth a 5 minute walk to be in such a haven!
It is becoming more common to have a number of shorter breaks too. So coming to Swansea for 3-4 days plus a weekend a few times might be a good way to make the most of the more days we all have from work now. For the holiday maker there is so much to see and do here from sitting on the beach, walking around the marina or cliff-top routes, seeing local cheeses, chocolate, pastries and other specialities being produced, visiting the many castles and other heritage sites, having a Joe’s ice-cream or being in Wales’s largest indoor market (and voted best indoor market in the British Isles) and tasting local cockles or a pastry. Joe’s ice-cream is iconic and known across the globe, and once tasted never forgotten. There’s also the Heritage Centre, archery, horse-riding and many other activities to enjoy.
And for entertainment there are the usual cinemas and don’t forget the Grand theatre with it’s varied productions, the Little Theatre and Taliesen Theatre on the Singleton University campus. And now the new Arena with a great line-up of shows. There are art galleries and museums.
Swansea, the waterfront city offers so much. And because the city has a small foot-print you don’t need a car, walking anywhere from the beach, marina or city centre is just a stone’s throw. And now with the network of cycle pathways and the ease of hiring bikes you can enjoy a relaxed time.
So if you live locally explore those places you’ve not visited before or try those activities for new experiences. If you live away why not make Swansea a holiday destination next year. We’d love to see you.
Mike Leahy
Forthcoming Programmes
Hi Viewers
We are picking up some speed now at SwanTV with some very interesting shows scheduled in for the coming weeks. My aim is to have a comprehensive local station offering a range of programmes and interests for you together with day-to-day “What’s On” information so we plan to bring you daily events that are often free and running in the Swansea Bay area. We will put this up on our website but also initially on Facebook so watch out on our pages.
So we have a Showtime programme with Keith Milward, probably the most well known local showbiz pundit. Keith has radio shows in Swansea and Cardiff and has experience in so many aspects of theatre, solo and choir singing, acting and through to panto dame. Keith is a bundle of energy and we are delighted he has joined us. After a couple of pilot shows you can expect a regular programme now with Keith.
We welcome Lee Ellery who will be hosting “In the Spotlight” talking to disabled people about their successes, ambitions and the obstacles they have had to overcome. Lee will also be looking at current disability issues and welcomes everyone to contact him who is interested in telling their story.
Becky Lowe, author and poet will be hosting “Off the Page”, a selection of spoken words from local writers and poets and like-minded folk. She hosts Tallisman at the Elysium Arts Centre in the High Street, Swansea and is a well known and trusted figure in local literary circles.
There is much more to come so watch this space.
Stay safe, live life.
Mike Leahy
Hello world!
Hi Swantv Viewer
Here is Swansea we have UK news from several sources, the BBC, ITV, Sky being some. And we have the Regional news mainly broadcast from Cardiff but we have not had local, local news centering on the Swansea Bay Area broadcast direct from the centre of Swansea until now.
There was Bay TV which was one of the 22 regional stations funded by the government and supported by the BBC but this lasted for a short time and didn’t really live up to expectations. The station has been taken over by That TV.
“That’s TV” is a television company with about 10 local stations, broadcasting via Sky, Freesat and Freeview and even though regional news can still be found via these services, these channels simulacast the classic hits and television schedule of the national That’s TV channel for most of the day. That’s Television Ltd is owned by That’s Media Ltd, which is based in the north of England and as far as we can see local news is usually in the form of zoom interviews.
SwanTV by contrast is managed by Swansea Business people with a tv studio in the heart of the city in Orchard Street. Our videographers are fully trained and using the latest equipment to produce broadcast quality video. Programmes are produced in the studio or outside and none are zoom interviews accept in exceptional cases. SwanTV believe in working with local individuals, businesses and community groups to produce the best local material.
We are looking for presenters, interviewers, videographers, writers and performers and we can offer experience and exposure but currently have no funds for wages. So if you want experience, whether 5 or 50 hours a month then we should be your first stop. Come and join us, we work in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.
Currently SwanTV is available online through any device with a free app available on both Google Play or Apple Store for your smartphone, but we expect to be able to broadcast through Amazon and Roku in due course.
We are now producing a weekly chat show together with interesting videos on anything local and we seek out stories and peoiple who can join us on the sofa to talk about their story. We aim to start producing other programmes over the coming months including sport, cooking, motoring and the cost-of-living.
We plan to have a weekly local news roundup and believe we will be in a position to start this before the Autumn. We will be seeking out presenters and if you think you are a future Fiona Bruce, Huw Edwards, Sian Lloyd or Nick Servini then contact us. You don’t need experience, just a positive personality, we can teach you and we have tele-prompters to help you be professional.
The service we offer is free but we look to sponsors and advertisers to help cover the salary for our production team, studio and running cost which we beleive will be about £100,000 for the first year. You can also become a sponsor on our Patreon site for from as little as £3 a month, little more than the cost of a coffee today. With just 1000 sponsors then a third of our costs would be covered to bring you a continuing and improving service with programmes that you will enjoy. We will start this month to have additional material on the Patreon site to give you even better value. See us at https://www.patreon.com/swantv.Look at the SwanTV website and you will see we are already making it happen. And thanks to your support, we will grow every month both in audience and content. So if you can help in any way please do so as advertiser, sponsor or supporter. Help us inspire the local community with our up-and-coming programmes.
Enjoy viewing SwanTV
Mike Leahy