BLUE Peter’s Gethin Jones and Zoe Salmon were no match for tree surgeon Phil Eyre at the Cycle Soumarine yesterday. Despite their best efforts at underwater pedalling, the children’s television presenters did not come close to the new world record at the Vallette bathing pools.

‘I want this sport to get into the Olympic Games,’ said Zoe.

‘I love Guernsey for all its crazy events and I like a challenge, so it’s been a great day.’

Phil, 25, was the fastest person on the day with a time of one minute 20 seconds.

More than four hundred people gathered to watch the competition in the scorching midafternoon sun.

The event is already in the Guinness Book of Records for being the biggest of its kind in the world.

Competitor Ben Wells said there was more to the challenge than met the eye.

‘It’s very rocky on the bottom and it’s slippery on the seaweed so it’s difficult to control the bike,’ he said.

‘The visibility is good though and I could see the guy next to me. It’s amazing how quickly the time goes once you’re down there.’

Deputy Mike O’Hara handed out prizes to the winners and said there should be events like this all the time in Guernsey.

‘It’s good to see Blue Peter here and I hope the island gets the coverage it deserves,’ he said.

‘A tremendous amount of work has gone into staging this so congratulations to everyone involved.

‘With the cruise ships in the background and the yachts whizzing past, it’s the perfect setting,’ said the States member.

‘We should be making the most of our facilities with more events like this one. The community spirit is fantastic.’