Our Sarah is a record breaker!

A massive congratulations to Sarah Whitchurch who is the first wheelchair athlete ever to swim from Guernsey to Herm.

After battling open water, brutal cold and strong tidal pulls, Sarah completed the swim in 2hrs 40 mins. Others have attempted the challenge, but so far, Sarah is the only wheelchair user to have managed the full crossing.

With no leg kick, she relies entirely on their upper body strength which means a slower pace and a longer time spent battling the tides and cold than an able-bodied swimmer. It is a daunting challenge that could easily have resulted in Sarah being pulled south into the English Channel.

Sarah was accompanied by Naomi Wakeford, her swim coach from the Guernsey Swim Club, a legend in open water swimming herself and 2 kayakers, Philippa Stahelin and Simon Wakeford. Naomi was a fantastic support for Sarah, egging her on through the toughest parts and Sarah is the first to say she could not have done it without her.

Waiting to greet Sarah at the finish in Herm were her fellow club members and she was cheered to the rafters on her arrival at the Mermaid for a well-earned drink.

It seems the sky is the limit for Sarah as she prepares for the Guernsey marathon at the end of August. Go Sarah go!