ENDURANCE HERO IS OUTER THIS WORLD
Just six days before Colleen’s attempt, another experienced endurance swimmer, Phia Steyn, from South Africa, had to abort the North Minch crossing after f ive hours due to thousands of jellyfish.
The creatures, including Lion’s Mane, the largest known species, leave a painful sting on bare skin.
Two other men, both wearing wetsuits, who had attempted the swim d id not rea ch the mainland. One had to be rescued after getting into difficulties in the water.
Colleen, who works for Scottish Swimming, the sport’s governing body, had set out at 4.45am on Sunday, July 8, from Gob na Miolaid on the Isle of Lewis.
She was supported by a boat, including her dad Bill Blair and Ian Reid, both official observers for the British Long Distance Swimming Association (BLDSA).
The motorised craft was crewed by volunteers, pilot Jody McNeil and John MacLeod- Malloy. A kayak, paddled by Brian Wilson, followed the boat and showed Colleen the way to swim.
She said: “I can’t wear a wetsuit for warmth or protection because I have to swim ‘skins’ according to BLDSA rules. This means I was wearing only
Despite many endurance feats, theth swim left Colleen exhausted andan she said it was only her support team who kept her going.
She started open water swimming aged eight and in 1998 was awarded the title of the youngest swimmer to cross the English Channel, aged 20.
In 2008, she completed a 23-mile swim of the Irish Sea and, in 2011, became the first person to swim the nine-mile Pentland Firth.
Colleen, who raised £ 1600 for charity, added: “I enjoy my sport and feel it is my job to do these swimming challenges.”