17 May, 2023

Team Speedo’s Andy Donaldson is halfway through his Ocean Seven Challenge with the Molokai Channel Completed!

Team Speedo's Andy Donaldson has surpassed the halfway point of his Ocean Seven Challenge. He endured challenging conditions, including gustily winds, strong currents, and severe nausea, while swimming the Molokai Channel. Despite feeling like a "rag doll in a washing machine", he completed the 42km crossing between the Hawaiian Islands of Molokai and Oahu in 15 hours and 51 minutes. Andy mentioned that although he didn't break the world record, the experience was more valuable and meaningful to him.

The Molokai Channel has earned the nickname "Channel of Bones" and a reputation as one of the most challenging swims in the world. Its treacherous waters and unpredictable weather conditions create powerful winds, huge swells, and strong currents.

Donaldson set off at 7pm into the sunset with his trusty Speedo goggles and briefs, his first few hours were eventful. He swam with a pod of playful dolphins for two hours and then encountered a shark, which he repelled with the help of shark shields. Throughout the night, he faced large swells, head-on currents, and surface chop that caused nausea and several bouts of sea-sickness.

Despite being on track to break the world record, Andrew's plan was disrupted by the forces of nature. Strong winds, rising to 25 knots, and unfavourable currents caused his pace to drop significantly from 4km/h to 1.5km/h. This presented a challenge that called for resilience and fortitude from both Andrew and his team. After covering a total distance of 52km, he finished in Sandy Bay, Oahu after 15 hours and 51 minutes.

After completing the swim, Donaldson was immediately taken to emergency care due to his symptoms of nausea, dehydration and a swollen throat which made breathing difficult for him. Tests revealed that he was possibly experiencing an allergic reaction, likely from swallowing a jellyfish during the swim.

Reflecting on the experience, Andy said, "I was relieved to get across in 15 hours and 51 minutes. Those conditions were relentless and like nothing I'd ever experienced before. It was certainly the toughest swim of my life, but also one that I've learned so much from and will always be proud of."

Andy Donaldson's successful completion of the Molokai Channel signifies the midpoint of his Ocean Seven Challenge, during which he has already set two British records and broken the world record for crossing the Cook Strait. Next up is the 14km Gibraltar Strait, scheduled for next month, with the aim of completing all seven channels within a year, a feat that has never been accomplished before.

Throughout his journey, Andy is fundraising for the Black Dog Institute, an organisation that advances mental health research. As someone who has experienced mental health struggles and lost friends to suicide, mental health is a cause that is personal and important to him. You can visit his fundraising page here, he has already raised over $18k with a goal of $100k. Join his fight to create a mentally healthier world for everyone!

Here are the details of his swim so far, and what he’s got coming up:

English Channel (England to France) – 33km Completed August 2022
North Channel (Ireland to Scotland) – 34km Completed September 2022
Cook Strait (North Island to South Island, New Zealand) – 22km Completed March 2023
Molokai Strait (Molokai to Oahu, Hawaii) – 44km Completed April 2023
Strait of Gibraltar (Spain to Morocco) – 14.4km Planned for May 2023
Catalina Channel (Santa Catalina to Los Angeles) – 32km Planned for July 2023
Tsugaru Strait (Honshu to Hokkaido, Japan) – 19.5km Planned for July 2023