Yacov Lev • Co-founder and Mainstay of RALSA • Tributes Born in Tel-Aviv, Yacov’s childhood centred on the sea where he became a proficient swimmer at a very early age. After a career in the Israeli Merchant Navy he came to Liverpool, his wife’s home town, to study and ended up as a R&D engineer with Shell. In 2000, Yacov became involved in a campaign to keep Hatchmere Lake, his favourite swimming place, open to the public. This led him later to becoming a co- founder and Secretary of RALSA. Yacov has now retired as Secretary so that he can spend more time with his grandchildren and, of course, swimming. Jean Perraton, RALSA President, writes: When I was researching for my book Swimming Against the Stream , back in 2003, I was reticent about telling others what I was doing – for those I did tell found the idea either amusing or simply daft. Then I came across Rob’s pioneering Directory of Cool Places with its reference to RALSA and the website managed by Yakov. On phoning Yakov to offer my support I found not only a kindred spirit, but a helpful and immensely encouraging one. It was only later that I came to appreciate just how much he had done, and was doing, for wild swimmers. For Yakov had already fought and won the battle to reverse the ban on swimming in Hatchmere lake – a victory that required his determination, tenacity, legal understanding and attention to detail. Since setting up RALSA with Rob to carry on the campaign he has managed the website, making sure that it was informative and regularly updated, and dealing with a multitude of inquiries that the site generates. He has also taken on some of the key policy makers, achieving significant changes in attitude within the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive. The HSE’s modification of its policy towards open water swimming, set out in its ‘Blue Book’, is another significant victory to his credit. Yakov has worked hard with skill, energy, knowledge and sound judgement, to gain publicity for our cause – never for himself. A generous, modest and self-effacing campaigner. Though he has declined to accept any published role, he assures us that he will still be there to help behind the scenes. We hope, Yakov, not to impose too often upon that promise and that you will now be able to enjoy more swimming, more long cycle rides and more time with Anne. Please accept a heart-felt ‘thank you’. Rob Fryer, RALSA Chair, writes: Since RALSA’s inception in 2003 I have worked closely with Yacov, speaking to him several times a week. He is an incedibly easy man to work with. Discussions are always realistic and practical. He can take criticism without offence and he is able to give it without creating offence. This is a rare quality and I am sure this helped us greatly to create our policies. Of course this is fine so long as you are working with him. If you were one of those sorry officials who were working against him then I am sure you would say the very opposite is more like the truth. With Yacov’s successful campaign at Hatchmere behind him even before RALSA was founded, it is as if the embryo of RALSA was conceived by him at that time. He worked tirelessly at that time and he has worked tirelessly since then for RALSA. Several of us are now needed to take over from him. Wild swimmers of the UK owe him a debt of gratitude for embarking on this journey of ours, and showing us the way, towards freedom to enjoy our rivers and lakes. Thank you Yacov. Have a happy retirement and may you enjoy becoming a grandfather shortly.