29 June, 2023

Another record-breaking swim for Andy Donaldson

We've got an amazing story to share with you today that will leave you in awe and inspire you to push your own limits. So, grab your Speedo goggles and get ready to plunge into the thrilling world of Andrew Donaldson, the Scotsman making waves in Perth, Western Australia.

Picture this: crystal-clear waters, fierce determination, and a mission to raise funds and awareness for mental health. Andy Donaldson has been making headlines as he conquers the world's most challenging channel swims. And trust us, he's not just splashing around for fun!

On a sunny Saturday, the 20th of May, Andy achieved yet another jaw-dropping feat. Get ready for this one: he completed the gruelling 14.4km Strait of Gibraltar swim from Tarifa, Spain to Morocco in a mind-blowing time of 2 hours and 56 minutes!

But wait, there's more! This remarkable achievement brings Andrew one step closer to becoming the first person ever to conquer all seven swims of the Oceans Seven Challenge within a single year.

What fuels Donaldson's passion for these epic aquatic adventures? Mental health! Yep, you heard it right. With every stroke, he is making a splash to raise funds for the Black Dog Institute, an Australian mental health research charity. He's diving deep into the importance of mental health awareness and support.

During his Strait of Gibraltar crossing, Andrew didn't waste a single second. With waters as calm as a sleeping goldfish, and his family creating a sea of support and love by cheering him on from a nearby boat, he powered through the waves with ease. He even spotted some majestic whales swimming nearby. Guess they wanted to join the aquatic fiesta!

Not only did he conquer the Strait of Gibraltar in nothing but a pair of Speedo briefs, but he also set a new British record in the process.

Remember, this is just one swim in his epic journey. Andy has already smashed through four out of the seven on his Ocean Seven quest (if you haven't already, you can check out some of our other blogs we have up and follow allow his journey with us). In the past, he battled treacherous conditions for a whopping 16 hours during a challenging swim from the island of Molokai to Oahu in Hawaii. That's over 50km of pure water madness! But hey, where there's a will, there's a wave!

But let's not forget his other aquatic conquests. Donaldson already holds British records for the English Channel and North Channel, not to mention a world record for the Cook Strait Swim. It's safe to say this guy is making a splash in the open water swimming world like nobody's business!

Now, brace yourselves for what's to come. Team Speedo's Andy Donaldson's next two adventures are nothing short of mind-blowing. Get ready for the Catalina Channel in Los Angeles and the Tsugaru Strait between Honsu and Hokkaido in Japan, both scheduled for July. Can you hear the waves calling his name? We can't wait to see him ride those epic tides!

Andrew Donaldson has become an inspiration to us all, including to many mental health advocates worldwide. His relentless determination and unwavering resilience have proven that incredible achievements are within reach when you believe in yourself. So, whether you're diving into the deep end of the pool or conquering your own mental health challenges, remember: you've got the power to make a splash... especially when wearing your Speedo's!

Stay tuned for more exciting updates on Andy's record-breaking performances, and don't forget to keep those fins flapping in support of mental health awareness, you can donate to Andy's Black Dog Institute page here.

Together, we can create a tidal wave of positive change!

Keep swimming, keep dreaming, and keep making waves! Until next time, splash on!