Swim Challenge raises over £3000 for Swanage Lifeboat Station
Mark Critchlow took on the challenge of swimming from Shell Bay by the chain ferry, to Swanage by the pier. The route is a distance of around seven miles taking into account the tides and currents around Old Harry Rocks.
Mark is 64 years old, and was registered visually impaired in 2011. Since then and in particular over the last 15 years he has 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.
In recent years Mark’s swimming activities had curtailed due to severe nerve pain originating from my neck, but since moving to Swanage in October 2024 Mark gently started to swim again and wanted to attempt a new challenge in home waters.
Mark said ‘My training started in winter, I coped with the cold and have become more familiar with my new swim environment. ’
Originally the swim was scheduled for early September, but weather conditions meant the sea state was not suitable so the swim was delayed until 19 September when Mark successfully completed his endurance challenge.
Mark said ‘Swim completed. It was much tougher than planned! south easterly wind and adverse currents meant it took 4 hours 40 mins instead of the predicted 2 hours 45 minutes. Please help me to raise money for my chosen charity, Swanage RNLI. More than ever people need the help of the RNLI. Too many people are still drowning.’
Swanage lifeboat Coxswain, Dave Turnbull said 'We are very grateful for Mark's amazing achievement in completing his endurance swim and raising this significant amount for Swanage Lifeboat Station which will help support our volunteers in their lifesaving work at Swanage.'
Mark was supported by British open water swimmer Marc Newman (Marc Newman Swimming) who provided the escort boat and Phil Palmer of Pierhead Watersports who provided the supporter's boat.
For more information please contact:
Becky Mack, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]
Charmaine Tideswell, Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]
or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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