Eilidh swims the Minch

I have always been a swimmer. I grew up spending every evening after school in the pool and loved it! I sadly never progressed beyond being a good club swimmer and quit competitive swimming at the age of 15 (7 years ago). I then took up swimming teaching instead and have been doing that part time ever since.

When I graduated in the summer of 2009, I wanted a year with no essays or exams, and CERTAINLY no dissertation. But I still wanted a challenge of some kind. . .

Although I was brought up in York, a lot of my family live on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides and during my summer holidays after graduating, my Uncle Murray of ”Seatrek” suggested that I challenge myself to swim The Little Minch. The Little Minch is the stretch of water between the Isle of Skye and Harris, separating the Inner and Outer Hebrides. The Isle of Skye is the furthest possible point to reach by car before having to take to either the skies or the water.

The Little Minch is approximately 15 miles of icy water with stronger currents than the English Channel. The twist in this challenge is that NO ONE HAS EVER DONE IT BEFORE. Therefore, if I were to make it to the other side, it would be a world record. Understandably this swayed my decision and so I agreed to take on this challenge.

In June or July 2010, dependent upon water temperatures, I am going to attempt to be the first ever person to swim The Little Minch.

I am of course doing this for charity, three charities in fact.

1. Martin House

A Yorkshire hospice for special children and young people with life-limiting illnesses

2. Bethesda Hospice)

A Care Home and Hospice caring for the people of the Hebrides.

3. Cat Rescue and Welfare Trust

I have been training all year but now that the dates are getting so close, I am starting to get cold feet at the thought of how truly cold my feet will become during the swim. . . I realise that perhaps I was a FOOL to get myself into something as serious this. SO I am asking for your help to make this challenge worth while and sponsor me! The proceeds will all go to good causes!

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