Islander to swim solo round IOW

By Victoria Bartlett
BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight

Richard hopes to complete the swim around the Isle of Wight in 20 hours

Islander, Richard Beardsall, 43, will be attempting a solo swim around the Isle of Wight on Saturday 6 September.

This is the third time Richard has tackled the 65-mile distance -equivalent to swimming the channel three times.

Pupils from Ventnor Middle School are researching the considerations of this challenge such as nutrition and tides.

Two pupils will also be given the opportunity to join in the round-the- island attempt.

Chosen charity

The money raised from the challenge will be donated to UKSA Maritime Academy and used specifically to support projects at the Medina House school.

The school will use the funds to enable their special needs students to take part in water-based activities as part of the curriculum.

Richard has chosen this particular swim and this charity because of nearly drowning in a rip-tide when he was a young boy:

"When I was 10 somebody saved my life whilst I was swimming off Shanklin beach, an incident which I remember vividly.

"I am eternally grateful to the person who risked his own life 30 years ago to save me. That person recently passed away and in order to repay his selflessness I thought this challenge, and the funds it will raise for local UKSA projects, would be a fitting tribute.

"The UKSA, as a charitable organisation that represents the sea, youth and opportunity, was an obvious choice for me."

Richard has been training hard since October 2008 to prepare for this swim

The challenge ahead

Richard is set to depart from the charity's base in West Cowes and is hopes to finish his swim around the Island 20 hours later.

The current record for this swim is held by Kevin Murphy who Richard describes as "a legend in the long-distance swimming circles."

Richard plans to beat this record with the aid of diving fins, which are like large flippers. Richard says:

"They load your body up and take a lot out of you - it's like running a marathon with rocks around your ankles - but they do help you beat the tide on occasion so are worth using."

This swim is not only hazardous but requires an enormous amount of dedication to negotiate tides and ever-changing weather conditions.

He also has to try and eat and drink every 45 minutes because he gets so exhausted and dehydrated in the salt water and wetsuit.

He's got no time to eat anything too tasty though: "Just lots of fresh water, fructose, carbohydrate shakes, and the odd Mars bar!"

Third time lucky?

This will be Richard's third attempt at the gruelling challenge. In 2007, Richard covered 41 miles before being beaten by fatigue and tide. In 2008, he was hit by weather conditions that limited him to 33 miles.

However, both of these experiences have taught Richard and his team of volunteers a lot to help prepare for this attempt and they hope it's going to be third time lucky!

Niamh Cullen from the charity he is supporting says: "We know how difficult it can be to sail around the island in uncertain weather conditions so for Richard to attempt to swim is a fantastic challenge to undertake.

"We are looking forward to the event and will be cheering Richard on as he finishes"