Heatwave halts Ross Edgley’s second attempt at world’s longest continuous swim

With a warmer location planned to work in his favour, hopes were high that adventurer, sports scientist and triathlete Ross Edgley would be successful in his second attempt to take the record for the world’s longest continuous swim.

Sadly though, thanks to the brutal heatwave sweeping Europe things were just a little too hot and the challenge had to be halted yesterday evening – with dehydration and the risk of kidney damage cited as the main factors.

Beaten by the heat

We reported yesterday that the second attempt had been moved from Loch Ness (where the first attempt failed due to hypothermia and severe wetsuit chafing) to Italy. Yesterday evening followers expressed concerns after the live tracker on the Phd Nutrition website appeared to move directly to shore and stop, 70km into the planned 170km distance.

This morning via Instagram, Ross’s team confirmed that the challenge had to be cut short. “Quick update: Lake Trasimeno you were AMAZING, but unfortunately with this ‘Cerberus’ heat wave (to quote CNN news) expected to hit Italy this week it meant temperatures threatened to reach a record 48°C in places (water temperature at 33°C in parts) which meant the swim had to be attempted under pretty brutal conditions!”

Rest and pizza…

Ross went on to humbly thank his team, followers and sponsors and revealed that “the adventure was cut short around 70km due to heat stroke and concerns of dehydration and kidney damage! Going to rest up and eat pizza.” The accompanying photos of his hands and feet after leaving the water show the effect of the conditions.

It’s yet to be revealed whether there will be a third attempt at the challenge once Edgley has recovered.

Main pic: via @rossedgley on Instagram