Nick Isaacson, the Technical Director at West Grinstead Swimming Academy, set himself the challenge of swimming all the swimming distances and disciplines at the Paris Olympic Games to raise money for Rockinghorse.
The swim took place on 28 July in the 10m heated pool that the swimming academy uses for their lessons.
Nick explained more, “I took on the challenge of swimming 14,550m as a fundraising challenge for our swim school, West Grinstead Swimming Academy in the Heart of West Sussex.
“As part of our ‘Olympic celebration week’ I completed the swim in one 4-hour session which involved swimming all of the individual swimming distances and disciplines including the 200m Butterfly, 400m Individual Medley and the 10k marathon swim.
“Our pool is perfect for younger swimmers with the water kept at a lovely warm, almost bath-like 32c, but both the warm water and smaller size added an extra degree of difficulty to the swim which I wasn’t anticipating and I soon had to stop the tumble turns as sickness became a bit of an issue as I got further into the swim!
“The day was very hot, so I had five bottles of water with me plus a handful of energy gels and a banana which I used to make sure I kept up my hydration and energy levels.
“My wife currently works at The Royal Alex Children’s Hospital and The Trevor Mann Baby Unit in Brighton which are two of the many specialist children’s wards and baby units Rockinghorse supports throughout Sussex.
“This means I hear first-hand about the amazing work that goes on there and as a family-based business, who pride ourselves on creating a community feel we thought this would be an amazing charity to help support or the challenge.”
This was an amazing achievement and so far, Nick has raised over £1,000 for us!
Emma Henderson, Supporter Engagement Manager at Rockinghorse, said, “We’re so grateful to Nick for taking on his incredible swimming challenge for Rockinghorse during the West Grinstead Swimming Academy’s Olympic celebration week!
“Not only did he swim a whopping 14,550m but he also raised £1,055 which will make such a difference to the babies and children we support”
Find out how you can get involved and help raise money on our Events page here.
