Rui swims the Solent!

Our very own Rui Duarte was part of a small intrepid team who were mad enough to attempt to swim across the Solent to raise money for the Louis Dundas Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The 4-mile swim from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight involves battling some of the strongest currents in Europe and crossing one of the busiest shipping channels.

Unfortunately poor weather meant the attempt had to be postponed as those responsible for the safety of such swims deemed that the tides and winds were too strong. The team were hugely disappointed after months of training, so organised a consolation swim – a four-mile swim 500 yards offshore in testing conditions.

So Rui, 6 other swimmers, a paddle-boarder and 7 kayakers set off at 10.30 and completed the swim at 12.30, exhausted but exhilarated.

Although, a very impressive feat in itself, the team were still determined to cross the Solent and planned to try again 2 weeks later. Alas, the weather once again made the attempt impossible, so they have decided to try again in the spring.

The main objective of the swim was to raise money to help children with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses at The Louis Dundas Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

It’s not too late to sponsor Rui and the team, and you can do so by clicking on the big ‘donate’ button when you visit their Swim the Solent website.

Make a donation here at www.swimthesolent.org »

Posted by Love Swimming