On Saturday 13th June, I completed a long-held ambition to swim from Flat Holm Island in the Bristol Channel back towards the south Wales coast, raising money for Face-up Cymru, a charity supporting people affected by head and neck cancer.
The challenge had been 18 years in the making. Ever since looking out from Cardiff Bay barrage towards the sea, I had felt an urge to swim from Flat Holm, despite the Bristol Channel’s huge tidal range, strong currents and busy shipping lanes. After booking the swim in February, I trained for four months in both the pool and open water.
Setting off from Penarth Marina in a support boat, it quickly became apparent that conditions were far from straightforward. A very high tide, rough seas and challenging waves meant success was never guaranteed; I was told there was a 50:50 chance I would complete the swim. Arriving at Flat Holm, I was given the choice to wait for another opportunity, but I decided to go for it.
The first part of the swim was demanding, with the waves challenging me both physically and psychologically. A welcome and unexpected pleasure at the mid-point of my swim, when the sea calmed, was seeing the steamboat The Waverly sailing near to my position (photo) – I gave it an obligatory wave and carried on.
Toward the end of the swim, when tiredness, hunger and frustration set in, I thought about the people Face-up Cymru supports and the physical and emotional challenges faced by those undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer. That reminder put my difficulties swimming into context and helped me keep moving forward, one stroke at a time
For safety reasons, the planned finish at Barry was changed to Sully as sea conditions worsened. After 3 hours and 27 minutes, 12.15km, 4,857 strokes and 2,870 calories, I reached land on a rocky beach covered in seaweed. It was a big personal achievement, but more importantly, it raised funds for the vital work of Face-up Cymru. Please consider giving here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/andrew-morgans-1779127520194?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
