'Now for my next big challenge' : record-breaking swimmer Jordan won't be resting on his laurels
Last updated 5th Aug 2021
A County Armagh man who set a new world record for swimming from Northern Ireland to Scotland revealed today (Thursday) he is already planning his next big challenge.
Jordan Leckey swam from Donaghadee to Dunsky Castle in Portpatrick - in in a record-busting 9 hours and 9 minutes.
That shaved 25 minutes off the previous record
But the 29-year-old from Portadown, says there is no time to rest
“You just instantly move on to what’s next?,” Jordan told Downtown Radio & Cool FM.
“Everybody’s telling you how brilliant you are to have done this but in your head straightaway you are thinking what the next challenge is going to be.
“There are a few things short term – within the next year or so – for example, the Irish Triple Crown – Galway Bay, the North Channel and the Fastnet swim – from Fastnet rock the most southerly point in Ireland.”
Apart from the physical challenges, Jordan said his swim to Scotland was tough mentally.
Indeed, he found himself pushed to the very limits.
“I trained for this for the best part of the year and physically everything was good,” he said. “During the swim itself it was a lot tougher mentally than I thought it would have been.
“The moment you dive in, it’s just bitterly cold – it’s so cold it hurts!”
Jordan also revealed a creative training programme at the height of the covid pandemic, to get him ready for the challenge.
“During lockdown it was hard to get the training in – all of the pools were closed, everybody was in furlough,” he said.
“So I ended up having to build my own swimming pool in the garage.”