Dorset world-record swimmer completes latest challenge

Oly Rush has circumnavigated the Greek island of Ithaca

Oly with a support kayak in the seas off Ithaca in Greece
Author: Faye TryhornPublished 13th Sep 2023

Dorset world-record endurance swimmer, Oly Rush, has completed his latest challenge, while raising awareness of plastic pollution on our oceans.

Oly from Upton has circumnavigated the Greek island of Ithaca, in 19 hours and 41 minutes.

Oly completed the swim around Ithaca in under 20 hours

He's takes on his swimming challenges to raise money for projects clearing plastic from beaches and seas, as well as prevention programmes.

Setting off from a remote beach in the early hours of Saturday morning (9th September), Oly faced strong currents, jellyfish stings, blustery winds, relentless sunshine with no shade, and extended periods in the vast expanse of the ocean.

To keep his strength up through the swim, his support team gave him a carefully balanced feed plan that included coffee, oats, soup, bananas, and essential electrolytes.

Oly preparing for the swim in Greece

Oly's still fundraising following the epic swim, through his website.

He's previously swum the length of the Jurassic Coast, covering 100 miles, around the Isle of Wight in a record time and around Grand Cayman, in a 37 hour world record swim.

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