Community champion to swim 33.3km in Montenegro to support West Wight centre

A community champion plans to swim 33.3km to raise funds for her beloved West Wight Sports and Community Centre.

Centre manager Clare Griffin will swim the distance off the coast of Montenegro between October 3 and 6, hoping to raise at least £3,333.

The distance is significant as it matches the 33.3km across the English Channel, and is part of the Ultra Swim 33.3 event in the Adriatic, which commemorates the 150th anniversary of Captain Matthew Webb first swimming across the channel.

Clare said: “The 10km section will be tough. It will take me around four hours of continuous swimming.

“But my training has been going well, and I am swimming up to 7km in training sessions now as well as several sea swims a week and strength and conditioning in the gym.

“So, I am feeling confident.”

Having been involved with the centre since its inception, over several decades Clare has seen it evolve from a single pool into a community support hub.

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She added: “We now support a vast cross section of our people with so many things – not just swimming or even sports.”

She hopes to ensure the centre’s continuity for future generations, but acknowledges the challenge this will pose.

She said: “We’re looking at a possible re-build or major refurbishment and we know it’s going to require substantial investment. We’re going to be looking for funders and supporters to help with this project and it is going to be a significant challenge.”