A Czech swimmer has completed one of the rarest open-water crossings in the region, saying jellyfish caused more trouble than the cold during his North Channel swim between Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Crossing completed in 9 hours, 35 minutes
Jakub Kačerovský, 25, from Prague, swam the 35km (22 mile) route last week in 9 hours and 35 minutes. The crossing, between the Mull of Galloway and Northern Ireland, is completed by only a few people each year. It was first achieved by Tom Blower in 1947.
The effort was done to raise money for multiple sclerosis, and Kačerovský’s time is believed to be the third-fastest in history. Only 14 people are believed to have swum the North Channel in under 10 hours.
Jellyfish the bigger challenge
Although the water temperature was around 13 or 14 degrees, Kačerovský said the cold was not his main problem.
He told Novinky: “I enjoyed it very much from start to finish. I prepared for the cold I have gained about ten kilograms since last year, so the water did not even seem that cold to me.
“I came out with jellyfish burns basically everywhere. The worst was my left hand, which I put directly into the stingers of one of the jellyfish. It really hurts.”
His swim also made him the first Czech to complete the Scotland to Northern Ireland direction of the North Channel crossing.
Family on the shore
Kačerovský’s mother, Silvie Kačerovska, was part of his support team and said she had been worried about the conditions.
She said: “I was quite scared of encounters with jellyfish, the stinging of which can cause a strong allergic reaction.
“I was mainly afraid of the cold, jellyfish and how he would cope with the currents. As he approached the Irish coast and the currents did not stop him, a stone fell from my heart. After touching him on the cliff, there was great joy and relief.”
The swim adds another notable result for Kačerovský, who has been active in cold water swimming and has documented the crossing on Instagram.
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A post shared by Jakub Kacerovsky (@ja_ku.b)