A daring British explorer intends to circle Iceland by swimming.
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Ross Edgley, a 39-year-old British swimmer, is gearing up for his next mind-boggling adventure: a 1,600-kilometer swim around Iceland. This audacious endeavor is scheduled to kick off this Friday, and it could keep him afloat for anywhere between three to five months. Preparing for this Challenger Series record-breaking swim has been more than a year in the making.
Born Swimmer, Passion for the Deep Blue
Competitive swimming since his childhood days and former water polo player, Ross found his niche in open-sea swimming when he realized his height might not make him stand tall on the basketball court. He confidently asserts that height doesn't define one's strengths—grit and determination do.
Oh, and he can't wait to jump in! (mbl.is/Eyþór)
Hardcore Training for the High Seas
The road to this unprecedented expedition has been packed with grueling training, alright. With an intensive daily regime of 10,000 calories and up to twelve hours of swimming, Edgley's been bulking up to conquer the frosty waters. His training grounds have ranged from Scotland's frigid waters to the icy lands of Iceland itself, where he seized the opportunity to witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights during winter tests.
Sustainable Support from the Deep
A trusty support boat manned by an eight-person crew will accompany Edgley, devoted to minimizing their environmental footprint. The crew will take turns performing tasks to ensure smooth sailing and environmental friendliness throughout the journey.
Keep your eyes peeled, Ross was spotted honing his skills in Álftanes on Tuesday. (mbl.is/Eyþór)
Mission: Science and Stories
Alongside the prestigious University of Iceland and the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Edgley plans to collect environmental DNA (eDNA) samples as he navigates the surrounding waters. These samples will contribute to mapping marine biodiversity data along his route.
Ross aims to document every wave of this phenomenal experience through weekly YouTube videos, TikTok updates, and Instagram posts, providing a glimpse into life afloat. His ultimate goal is to share not only the physical challenge but also the heart and soul of Iceland, the locals, the landscape, and its rich cultural tapestry with all of us.
Marvelous Norse Inspirations
Inspired by the mystique of Norse mythology and a chat with friend Chris Hemsworth (who has played Thor in the Marvel films), Ross's Icelandic swim was born. Hemsworth, in his inimitable Thor-like fashion, hinted that this would guide Ross the closest to Asgard.
Warm Icelandic Embraces
Edgley has been welcomed with open arms by the people of Iceland. He acknowledges that as a bearded loner Brit pounding the Icelandic coast, he's an odd sight. But the warmth and kindness showered upon him have left him feeling grateful and humbled.
Fingers crossed, Edgley will hit the water come Friday, and his journey's progress will be trackable online throughout his grueling tour of the land of fire and ice.
- Ross Edgley, with his passion for the deep blue and interest in science, will collect environmental DNA samples while swimming around Iceland, collaborating with the University of Iceland and the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute.
- As he embarks on his adventurous swim, Ross Edgley will also share stories from his cultural experiences in Iceland, incorporating this into his weekly YouTube videos, TikTok updates, and Instagram posts, showcasing not just the physical challenge but also the heart and soul of Iceland.
