This year I have entered the ELITE category for the Padstow to Rock swim on Friday 2nd August 2024.

This ELITE category is for swimmers who can swim the mile across the Camel Estuary in under 30 minutes and is reserved for high performance swimmers who are like the Ferrari’s and Tesla’s of the swimming world.

This should be interesting because I have the equivalent performance of a 1989 Ford Sierra with a bit of rust and dodgy electrics! Anyway I’m going to give it a go and see if I can complete the distance in time. If I don’t they will fish me out and dump me on the shore like a floundering whale. Obviously I don’t want this to happen so I am training by swimming approx 6km a week.

My motivation is quite simple. Our family have been deeply affected by the awful events over the last few years. I’m doing this swim for two reasons. Firstly to remember those we have lost and those still battling cancer. Secondly, to say thank you to one of the many amazing charities that help families through incredibly difficult times.