Sealand solo success for coach Seamus!

Finally! A warm August Friday morning, two years in the making, Swim Smooth Suffolk founder & coach, Seamus, produced one the swims of his life to complete the 8 mile crossing from the Principality of Sealand to his home town of Felixstowe. Sealand is a large World War Two fort on the far side of the shipping channel in international waters of the North Sea, off the Suffolk coast - and it’s been on Seamus’ horizon since he learnt to swim in these waters in the 1960’s.

A strong tide took him further south than planned but all his pool, open water and gym training paid off and with expert navigation & guidance from his brilliant support crew, all top swimmers themselves, he landed it, at an equally iconic building - Martello Tower P, with an amazing friends & family welcome party 🙏🏻

Sea temp was a warm 20° and the fairly calm conditions were worth waiting for. The support from so many people, especially the thriving Felixstowe / Swim Smooth community, gave him that extra energy and focus in the challenging moments when spring tide and cramp kicked in! 💙💪

The swim was organised and supported by Aspire – the Spinal Injury charity, for whom Seamus raised nearly £3,000, triple the fundraising target - Thank you! The RIB was provided by East Anglian Sea School, and all ok’d with Harwich Haven Authority.

It was a deep, tough, very special swim, which means a huge amount, and also makes Seamus (at 60 years 10 months!) the oldest person to make the Sealand solo swim 🏊‍♂️