‘Swellies Whirlpool’ Menai Strait

Nominated image in the 13th Black & White Spider Awards 2018

Everyone who visits the area has heard about ‘The Swellies’ and only the experienced sailor dares take their yacht between the two famous bridges knowing full well about the infamous whirlpools that have been known to suck kayakers down into the depths before releasing them downstream! These large and very powerful whirlpools only appear at certain stages of the tide, as a massive volume of sea funnels up to the bridges. On the day we filmed this location our skipper killed the RIB engine and showed us just how quickly we could be spun around and pulled towards the vortex. It was both awe inspiring and eerie and a spectacle to remember.

In the background stands the Telford Suspension Bridge, completed in 1826, the first of the two marvels of industrial engineering that finally allowed people and traffic to cross from mainland Wales to Anglesey without the need for ferries. Many people lost their lives crossing the treacherous Menai Strait on small boats and ferries before the bridges were built.

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Filename: GD002236
Copyright: Copyrighted image - all rights reserved - 1988 Design & Copyright Patents Act
Image Size: 2100x1400 / 2.2MB; www.glyndavies.com www.glynsblog.com; UK Britain British Isles Wales Anglesey Menai Strait Menai Bridge bridge whirlpool Swellies sea tide water currents
Contained in galleries: Anglesey, 2018 - 13th Black & White Spider Awards, Menai Bridge

Nominated image in the 13th Black & White Spider Awards 2018<br />
<br />
Everyone who visits the area has heard about ‘The Swellies’ and only the experienced sailor dares take their yacht between the two famous bridges knowing full well about the infamous whirlpools that have been known to suck kayakers down into the depths before releasing them downstream! These large and very powerful whirlpools only appear at certain stages of the tide, as a massive volume of sea funnels up to the bridges. On the day we filmed this location our skipper killed the RIB engine and showed us just how quickly we could be spun around and pulled towards the vortex. It was both awe inspiring and eerie and a spectacle to remember. <br />
<br />
In the background stands the Telford Suspension Bridge, completed in 1826, the first of the two marvels of industrial engineering that finally allowed people and traffic to cross from mainland Wales to Anglesey without the need for ferries. Many people lost their lives crossing the treacherous Menai Strait on small boats and ferries before the bridges were built.