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A former army ranger has embarked on a new challenge: becoming the first person to circumnavigate a country swimming with fins.
The water sport is gaining popularity and involves swimming on the surface with fins on the feet along with a breathing mask and snorkel.
Henry O’Donnell, a man from Donegal, was eager to keep busy when the Covid-19 pandemic curtailed his work as a security consultant for airlines and oil companies.
The 56-year-old from Carrickfinn is a former army ranger and has faced numerous challenges following his recovery from a sports accident in the 1990s that left him paralyzed for a period of time.
He led the first relay swim around Ireland in 2006 and has completed “lowest to highest” expeditions on four continents.
With time on his hands during the coronavirus restrictions, Henry decided to start training for what he describes as “one of the most inspiring, unique and challenging marine projects ever undertaken in Irish coastal waters.”
He left Carrickfinn Beach in West Donegal this afternoon to flip the first leg of his expedition clockwise around the island of Ireland.
The weather will dictate the pace of swimming, but Henry said it could take up to a year to complete.
During that time, he hopes to raise significant funds for two charities: the Irish Cancer Society and Water Safety Ireland.
She will also use swimming to promote WSI’s messages on water safety and drowning prevention.
There will also be great interest in the expedition of scientists from NUI Galway who are involved in the PIER project – Public Health Impact of Exposure to Antibiotic Resistance in Recreational Waters.
This is a four-year research project, led by Professor Dearbháile Morris, to investigate whether exposure to antibiotic-resistant insects in recreational waters affects people’s health and well-being.
Henry is one of a group of talented swimmers and other water sports enthusiasts involved in the research and will be screened regularly throughout the course of his epic lap in Ireland.
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