Well that was a busy few days!

I have just come back from METS (Marine Exhibition Trade Show) in Amsterdam, and although it was very productive for the company I work for (Furneaux Riddall), I also managed to use some of the time to meet a few people that have agreed to help in what is being billed as 'Scotty's crazy idea!'.

My answer to the 'crazy idea' is as follows: It is a massive challenge, but by no means an impossible one - after all it has been done before! Whilst I was in METS I managed to catch up with Anna Wardley, a hugely accomplished endurance swimmer, who swam around the Isle of Wight in 2013, and by becoming the 4th person to do so also became the 9th Briton to be inducted into the elite 24 hr club, which recognises people who have swum for 24 hours non-stop.

It was great to catch up with Anna, and I took the opportunity to ask a couple of questions about swimming in the dark, and to get a better understanding of the importance of getting the timing right for the switch back at the Needles. This according to Anna is the most critical point, and could make or break the challenge within the first 6 hours, as if you arrive too early, the tide takes you too far to the West, if you arrive too late, the tide will be too strong to allow me to make any ground, and I wont get around the end of the Needles.

Despite most people thinking this is a crazy challenge, they are all extremely supportive, and many have pledged help in any way they can. I am pleased to announce that Colin Baldwin from Rib-X has agreed to supply 2 safety ribs for the training swims and the main event. These will be invaluable for the team, as these RIBS will be shadowing me the whole way, and they will be very comfortable for the people on board. Although capable of high speeds (40 knots plus), it will be a very sedate journey for the 24-30 hours.

SCOTT DAWSON




I was born in 1978 in Wigan, the only water close by was a lake! However I started swimming at 15 months old having contracted Meningitis. My parents were advised by the doctors that swimming would aid me in my rehabilitation. It gave me massive strength and focus, leading me to compete internationally, until my mum won a sailing holiday whilst at the hairdressers when I was 9 and I had to make a choice which sport I would continue competitively.

 I chose sailing which has shaped much of my life since, including enabling me to travel the world and meet my wife of 9 years, Polly. Having been bought up with swimming and sailing we have ensured that both Matilda and Alfie are waterbabies, with the youngest Alfie swimming unaided at 1!



Having spent a number of years surfing the sofa and only sailing recreationally, I had a health scare in 2014 after eating an unassuming hazelnut, and decided it was time to get fit again, and so went to a swim fit class at our local pool with my neighbour – I haven’t looked back! I was inspired to take part in a Cross Solent Swim from Stokes Bay to Ryde in aid of the Oakley Waterman Foundation – unfortunately all this did was inspire me further and have now set my sights firmly on swimming round the Isle of Wight, unaided and non-stop! I will only be the 5^th person to achieve this feat of endurance.

As part of my fitness training over the last two years I have completed a 24 Hour team endurance run, a half iron man, multiple half marathons and 2 back to back marathons – as well as becoming the Rooster 4000 2014 National Champion with Jason Kirk.