A teacher is hoping to set a new world record today after raising money for charity by paddleboarding 1,600km around the coast of Ireland.
Jim Swift started his epic adventure in Tramore, Co Waterford, 37 days ago.
The dad of two will finish at the same spot on Saturday after travelling clockwise around the country.
The 37-year-old, a maths teacher at Gaelcholaiste Phort Lairge secondary school in Waterford, has already raised more than €14,000 for Waterford Hospice.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror before entering the water on Friday, the endurance addict said this challenge has been his toughest yet.
Jim, who has already swam across the English Channel, added: “I have always loved endurance sports. I wasn’t good at anything else, I can’t sing, I can’t dance, so I had to find a sport that suited me.
“Endurance sports are great because they allow you to test yourself and see what you’re made of.
“This has been the experience of a lifetime, there have been tough days but overall it has been amazing.
“I got the head beaten off me coming down the Irish Sea, just head winds after head winds.
“Mentally it was hard but physically it was another story altogether.
“Most days I have paddled between 50km and 60km and there were a few days I hit 70km.”
But he joked: “It appears that endurance sports are like fine wines, you get better at them with age.”
Jim said he couldn’t have done it without the support of his family and friends, including wife Meadhbh and sons Deici, five, and four-year-old Art.
He added: “They are the best motivation for getting home every night. Seeing the family is the fuel for the engine.
“I will see what shape I’m in at the end but the celebrations might have to wait a week.
“It will probably be more a movie and the couch.”
And when it came to his chosen charity, Jim said it was a no-brainer to select the Waterford Hospice.
He added: “I wanted to raise money so that they could continue to help people, they are amazing.”
- To donate visit The Paddle Fada on Facebook.
