Swimming around Islay (for science and charity)

Islay NewsBack in 2008 Becky walked (in stages) all the way around the coast of Islay. Today I came across a similar challenge two men are planning, although slightly wetter. About a decade ago the Islay Masters Swimming club swam across Loch Indaal from Bowmore to Bruichladdich (or was it the other way around? Not entirely sure), crossed the Sound of Islay and even tackled the famous Corryvreckan. Justin Fornal and Chad Anderson are planning an even bigger, more ambitious swim:

The Great Islay Swim. In a week in July 2017 they plan to swim all around Islay. Starting from Ardbeg they will swim clockwise around Islay in seven days. Swimming between 4-8 hours a day and covering around 15-20 kilometres per day. Pulling a whisky cask they are planning to fill with whisky from all the distilleries (similar to the Islay Pillage a number of years ago), which will later be bottled and sold. And they’re fundraising for the RNLI.

(via John Lenker on Twitter)

Author: Armin Grewe

I blog about Islay.

13 thoughts on “Swimming around Islay (for science and charity)”

  1. Back in May I wrote about Swimming around Islay (for science and charity), Justin Fornal and Chad Anderson planning to swim around Islay this summer. Well, the Great Islay Swim is now well under way and you can find various updates online:
    From Laphroaig John Campbell gives them his support:

    Amazing journey round Islay by the #greatislayswim team …. finishes at Ardbeg tomorrow. Would be good to get everyone’s support there to cheer them home. #liveyouradventure #islay #islaywhisky #laphroaig #ardbeg #kilchoman #bruichladdich #bunnahabhain #coalila #lagavulin #bowmore
    A post shared by John Campbell (@laphroaigjohn) on Jul 28, 2017 at 6:38am PDT

    Several blogs and distillery websites write about them:

    Scotchwhisky.com: Explorers Swim Islay Coast For ‘Looted’ Malt

    Kilchoman distillery: The Great Islay Swim

    Bruichladdich distillery: Swimming Round Islay? Seriously?

    Taking a rest at the end of a swim:

    Our badass ass swimmers relaxing in a lagoon in front of a cave below the american monument at the end of the second day of swimming.
    A post shared by Christopher Beauchamp (@christopherbeauchamp) on Jul 24, 2017 at 12:31pm PDT

    Islay Sea-Adventures has a few posts with video and pictures:

    And I’m sure there’s more out there. If you have or spot any further pictures, videos or reports from the swim please post them in the comments so that everyone can see them.

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