Claire takes on ‘Channel’ swim

The manager of the West Wight Sports & Community Centre is taking on a marathon swimming challenge to raise funds for the centre.

Clare Griffin is aiming to swim 33.3km (20.7 miles), the distance across the English Channel, off the coast of Montenegro next month with an aim of raising £3,333.

The Ultra Swim 33.3 event, in the Adriatic, marks the 150th anniversary of Captain Matthew Webb first swimming across the Channel. Clare will re-enact this feat, but with slightly fewer challenges, swimming the distance over three days, between October 3 to 6, the longest leg of which will be over 10km (6 2/5 miles).

Clare said: “The 10km section will be tough. It will take me around four hours of continuous swimming. But my training has been going well, and I am swimming up to 7km in training sessions now, as well as several sea swims a week, and building strength and conditioning in the gym. So I am feeling confident!”
Having managed the Centre for most of her working life, Clare has witnessed its evolution from a single pool into a vibrant hub for health, sport, and community support in the West Wight area.

She added: “We now support a vast cross section of our people with so many things – not just swimming or even sports. We employ a community connector, who, alongside our team, supports anyone who is going through life challenges. This may be homelessness, debt, mental or physical illness, bereavement, isolation or any other situation where they are feeling vulnerable and alone.

“In three years’ time, it will be 50 years since that day when the water was turned on. The pool remains in good working order and is well maintained. However, one thing is sure – it’s unlikely to be so in another 50 years!

“So the team here are now working on how to ensure that we can continue to provide swimming and other services for at least another 50 years.”

Clare can be supported at TotalGiving- Ultra swim 33.3 Montenegro-West Wight Sports & Community Centre Trust Ltd – fundraising page.