Steve Redmond latest mammoth swimming challenge was cut short last night after he began showing symptoms of hypothermia.
Redmond, who last year became the only man to complete the Oceans Seven Challenge, was attempting the gruelling 80km distance from Wexford to Wales, but was advised to stop when his medical team became concerned for his safety.
The Cork man entered the water in Carne Pier at 11pm last night and had hoped to reach St. Davids on the Welsh coast 35 hours later, but early this morning his support team called a halt to his gruelling challenge.
“Our main focus and concern was always Steve’s health and when he started displaying worrying signs of hypothermia we felt that with such a long swim ahead of him it was not worth the risk,” John Kearney, a member of his support team, said in a statement.
Kearney added that the swimmer was naturally disappointed, but conceded it was “the right decision to end the attempt”.
Last year Redmond completed the Oceans Seven Challenge after swimming the English channel, the North channel (Northern Ireland and Scotland), the Gibraltar straits, the Catalina channel in California, the Cook strait in New Zealand, the Molokai channel in Hawaii and the Tsugaru channel in Japan, so we have no doubt this is just a temporary setback for the swimmer.
With all funds going towards the Irish and UK lifeboat rescue service, we wish Steve well in his recovery and the next challenge he undertakes.
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