The 6 Bay Swim Challenge

Open water swimming is addictive; it just keeps calling you back, but as we drove past Gansey Bay at 7:30am and saw the big rollers crashing on the beach, I knew today’s call was going to be a tough one!

Words Martin Malone Photos Julia Simmonds

The 6 Bay Swim Challenge was conceived as part of Omnia Mind’s Expedition Limitless 2023. Omnia Mind was created from a deep belief and passion that given the right conditions; everyone can fulfil their potential. In line with those beliefs, Expedition Limitless 2023 was created to demonstrate the innate and bright light of resilience that resides in all of us that can be revealed by adversity and the unconquerable will to survive.

Expedition Limitless 2023 will help 12 young people (11 from the Isle of Man) find their bright light. The 12 have been carefully selected to take part in this incredible 110km, unsupported, snowshoe trek above the Arctic Circle. It will test their resilience and mindset to their perceived limits and beyond.

When I heard about the Expedition, unfortunately I didn’t quite fit the criteria (it’s an age thing!) but I had to be involved somehow, especially given that the first goal of the Expedition is to raise £50,000 for Isle Listen (Isle Listen do incredible work on the IOM to remove the stigma that surrounds mental health), so I went to see Mark Smith and Phil Quirk at Omnia Mind and the 6 Bay Challenge was born and what a great way to kickstart the Expedition’s fundraising.

Swimming across the bays of the Isle of Man on a calm summer’s day is a challenge but swimming all 6 on the cusp of winter, covering more than 10km, is a completely different story. It did however, tie in perfectly with the ethos of the Expedition. I mentioned the challenge to my good friend Sue Powell, also an avid sea swimmer, and she agreed to join me on my training swims for support. After putting in all the training, Sue decided to attempt the challenge with me.

We planned to do it at the end of October on one of 8 allocated days to give us a bigger weather window. Saturday 22nd looked promising as the week progressed, so we decided to go for it.

As we swam across the bay, with Peel Castle in the distance, I couldn’t help but think how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place

Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other ideas and provided a strong southerly wind!

LEG 1. Gansey Bay, the longest of the bays at 3km, was our first big challenge. Exposed to the wind, which was whipping up the sea, the conditions were too dangerous to tackle the full bay, so we decided to swim two 1.75km loops in the shelter of the headland and harbour. The conditions were tough with Phil on the kayak also working hard but we battled on and finished in good spirits.

LEG2. Castletown Bay was one of the shorter legs at 1.3km. When the surfers are out, you know it’s going to be tough! Just outside the shelter of the harbour, we were greeted by the first of many big waves. It was exhilarating and scary at the same time. Even getting out at the other side through the surf was a challenge!

LEG 3. Port Erin Bay, the second shortest leg at 730m, was a welcome break from the rough seas. The start was a little choppy but the final 300m into the harbour was beautiful. It was lovely to see a seal and her pup join us for most of the way across.

LEG 4. Peel Bay, the shortest leg at 700m, was beautiful and sheltered from the strong winds. As we swam across the bay, with Peel Castle in the distance, I couldn’t help but think how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place. We had

Nothing could prepare us for the conditions we were about to face

some extra time after Peel to refuel and get warm before heading to Laxey.

LEG 5. Garwick Beach to Laxey was one of the longer legs at 2.4km. This leg had to start 6 hours before high tide to avoid a strong head current. The start was sheltered by Clay Head but we soon swam into heavy seas with Phil also working hard on the safety kayak. We battled on and finished cold and tired but ready for Douglas Bay.

LEG 6. Port Jack to the Sea Terminal at 2.5km was always going to be tough but nothing could prepare us for the conditions we were about to face. It usually takes 60 minutes to swim Douglas Bay but it took us a gruelling 1hr 40 in some of the toughest conditions imaginable. Progress was painfully slow meaning the second half of the swim was in complete darkness. We were exhausted and cold but not for a second did we consider quitting. I cannot describe the feeling of relief and accomplishment as we swam those final meters towards the harbour wall to be greeted by family and friends who came to support us.

WED DID IT – 6 BAYS CONQUERED!

Thank you to our corporate partners for sponsoring the 6 legs – Edgewater Associates, Zedra, Suntera Global, Canada Life, Rossborough Financial Services (Jersey), Isle of Man Orthodontics and Black Van Hire for providing our support vehicle. Every penny raised was doubled by the Z Zurich Foundation, so with their support and the incredible generosity of our corporate sponsors and the public, we have raised more than £13,000. A special thanks to our photographer, Yulia Simmonds from Ingenium Photography, our support crew from Omnia Mind, Mark and Phil, who was literally our guiding light in the kayak across Douglas Bay. And finally, to my friend and training partner, Sue Powell, it was a pleasure to share this incredible experience with you. Next stop, training for Expedition Limitless 2023, where I have been invited to join the team in Sweden on their training week. I can’t wait!