Andy Donaldson (swimmer)

Andrew Donaldson is a Scottish open water and marathon swimmer. Donaldson holds the world record for the fastest swim across the Cook Strait - the waters between New Zealand's North and South Islands.[1][2][3]

Early life and career

Born and raised in West Kilbride, Scotland, Donaldson swam with the Ayrshire Swimming Club at a young age.[4] He relocated to Perth, Australia to pursue professional swimming.[5][6] Donaldson graduated from Loughborough University.[7]

He retired in 2016 to work in accounting and finance.[5] At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was working as a volcano tour guide in Nicaragua and struggling with his own mental health.[5]

He came back to Perth and returned to swimming. He found that swimming helped him with his mental health.[5] In Perth, Donaldson co-founded "SwimClan" with Martin Smoothy to assist adults in learning to swim and improve their health.[8] In 2021, he placed first in the Rottnest Channel Swim.[9][10]

Oceans Seven

In 2022, Donaldson announced that he would embark on the Oceans Seven challenge.[11] Donaldson's goal was to complete the challenge in one year.[12] He is completing the challenge to raise money for the Black Dog Institute and awareness for mental health.[11][13] He was nominated for the World Open Water Swimming Association's Man of the Year 2022.[14]

Donaldson crossed the English Channel in eight hours.[15] Donaldson set the British record for the swim.[16][17] He set a new British record for his swim of the Strait of Gibraltar with a time of two hours and fifty-six minutes.[18]

He became the first Scottish male to complete the swim between the North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland).[4][19]

Donaldson was hospitalized after completing the Molokai Channel. He faced strong waves and headwinds during this swim.[20][21]

Sources
  1. "Scottish swimmer sets record between New Zealand islands". BBC News. 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  2. Scottish swimmer breaks Cook Strait world record, 2023-03-21, retrieved 2023-07-21
  3. Sahu, Tanisha Rachel (2023-03-23). "Scottish Swimmer Creates World Record By Swimming In Shark Infested Waters Across Cook Strait". Le Matinal. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  4. "Marathon swimmer from West Kilbride overcomes 'butt-cheek' cramp to cross North Channel". Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald. 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  5. "Perth marathon swimmer attempts epic channel-crossing record". The West Australian. 2022-07-09. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  6. "Relative newcomer smashes his rivals". The Albany Advertiser. 2015-04-13. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  7. "Loughborough alumnus takes on charity swim challenge". Loughborough University. 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  8. "Adults coached to brave water". Community News. 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  9. "'Retired' Rotto winner on how he clinched big finish". The West Australian. 2021-02-20. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  10. "Rottnest Channel Swim winners crowned". PerthNow. 2021-02-20. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  11. "Inspiring CA's global swim for mental health". Acuity Magazine.
  12. Ryan, Suzie (2023-01-17). "Andy Donaldson To Conquer The Ocean's Seven In One Year". oceanswims.com. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  13. Whyte, Abigail (2023-04-04). "Andy Donaldson: Flying the flag for mental health". Outdoor Swimmer Magazine. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  14. "West Kilbride man up for international swimming award". Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald. 2023-01-24. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  15. Munatones, Steven (2022-08-07). "Andy Donaldson Crosses English Channel in 8 Hours, First Leg of His Oceans Seven Challenge". World Open Water Swimming Association. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  16. "Why swim the world's most dangerous seas? For mental health -- let Andy Donaldson explain". ESPN.com. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  17. "Scot sets new record for swimming the English Channel". The Scotsman.
  18. WOWSA (2023-05-30). "Andrew Alan Donaldson Conquers the Strait of Gibraltar in Record Time". World Open Water Swimming Association. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  19. WOWSA (2022-09-30). "Andy Donaldson Completes a Fast Crossing of the North Channel". World Open Water Swimming Association. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  20. "Oceans Seven helps turn the tide on mental health". The West Australian. 2023-06-19. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  21. "West Kilbride swimmer rushed to hospital after smashing Hawaii charity crossing". Largs and Millport Weekly News. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.