The Swim Challenge

My challenge is to swim from Shell Bay by the ferry, to Swanage by the pier. A distance of around seven miles taking on the tides and currents around Old Harry Rocks. See map in the gallery and photos from a swim 5 years ago.

I am 64 years old, and was registered visually impaired in 2011. Since then and in particular over the last 15 years I have taken on various swim challenges, as part of a team and solo including the English channel (35km), endurance swimming along the Jurassic coast and a circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight.

I have in the past 3 years had my swimming curtailed by severe nerve pain originating from my neck. I moved to Swanage in October last year and have gently started to swim again. I now feel enthused to fundraise and this is my first attempt since 2022.

My training started in winter, I coped with the cold and have become more familiar with my new swim environment. I've made good progress particularly with an hour and a half swim this week.

The boat is booked, I've got local support and I'm ramping up the training for this challenge. Big shout out to Marc Newman swimming who is providing the escort boat (In photos of an earlier swim). The supporters boat is provided by pierheadwatersports. Please help me to raise money for my chosen charity, Swanage RNLI.

RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. More than ever people need the help of the RNLI but too many people are still drowning.

This needs to change and thanks to your help, it can.

Swanage lifeboat station is crewed by volunteers, who provide a 24 hour search and rescue service. We rely on the support of our local communities to power our lifesaving service. Your support could help the running of lifeboat stations like Swanage and, ultimately, help to save lives.

There is a 5 day window in which I must undertake the challenge weather depending, I hope to do it on 8th September starting at 10am and I should finish between 1 and 1.30pm.

UPDATE : WEATHER CONDITIONS POOR. Swim was postponed until favourable weather returns.

NEW PROVISIONAL DATE.

Looks like THURSDAY 28th Sept.