An avid swimmer from Beaumont has told of his disappointment after he had to pull out of an ambitious North Channel Swim due to adverse weather conditions.
As reported in last week’s issue of Northside People, Fergal Somerville (48) had plans to set out from Donaghadee harbour in County Down and swim his way to Portpatrick on the coast of Scotland.
However, last Tuesday (July 10), Fergal was forced to abandon the swim after spending an hour and a half at sea.
He said that upon starting the swim at 6.30am he expected light winds and a small amount of rain.
Fergal explained how the water temperatures were a lot colder than he expected when he first delved into the water.
His hopes remained high that the weather conditions would improve but instead of calming down the winds rose to almost 20mph over the course of the first hour.
In the run up to the swim, Fergal said that as well as the weather conditions he expected jellyfish to pose an additional challenge.
“I got stung several times and for a few hours I could have modelled for Botox,
? he told Northside People.
“The going was very tough in a rolling sea which was worsened by the wind veering from the north directly in the path of the swim.
?
He explained how he could see the support boat lolling from side to side in the rough seas.
The boat was carrying members of Fergal’s family who had travelled with him to offer their support.
Despite the weather conditions, Fergal pushed on even though he knew in the back of his mind that he would be forced to stop.
“I knew well before the hour that the end was imminent unless the weather abated,
? he stated.
“I pushed on, clutching at hope that the powers that be would give the weather forecasters one win.
?
But, despite all his efforts, the boat’s independent observer halted the swim because a weather forecast determined that conditions would further deteriorate.
The determined Northsider, who completed the English Channel Swim last year, said that despite the setback he will take on the challenge again.
“I’ll continue training hard and hopefully I can do it again in September if the weather works to my advantage,
? he added.
Fergal has so far managed to raise
?¬1,500 for the Aislinn Adolescent Addiction Service, which provides residential and ongoing treatment for personas aged 15-21.