Dynamic duo target a record-breaking swim around Ireland
After one month, having swam 300km from Dublin, Irish Adventurers Maghnus Collins (snorkel) and David Burns of Costcutter 360 Swim Team pictured arriving into Crosshaven, Co Cork Pic Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
After one month, having swam 300km from Dublin, Irish Adventurers David Burns and Maghnus Collins (snorkel), Costcutter 360 Swim Team pictured arriving into Crosshaven, Co Cork Pic Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
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These two Irishmen have completed the first month of a record-breaking 1,600km swim around the island of Ireland.
David Burns and Maghnus Collins completed the swim between Dublin and Cork yesterday.
However, there is little time for a break as the swimmers plan to continue their journey towards the west and north as soon as weather conditions allow.
The pair arrived in Crosshaven, Cork, after swimming the 300km distance from the capital.
The Costcutter 360 Swim is their first adventure in their home country and could be the longest ever verifiable swim across the Atlantic if successful.
David (31) and Maghnus (31), are seasoned adventurers, having already kayaked the longest distance on the Yangtze River and run 250 kilometres across the Sahara Desert. They have also completed 25 high-altitude marathons in 26 days across the Tibetan Plateau.
Their past feats have raised more than €100,000 for charity, and funds from this venture will go to RNLI Lifeboats and Gorta Self Help Africa.
The Costcutter 360 Swim Team - which includes Expedition Leader Philip Hatton and In-Water Support Leish McPartland - hopes to finish the journey 120 days after their start date. However, hyper weight loss, waves as high as three metres and strong gusts are just some of the challenges that have tested the adventurers so far.
Limerick-born Maghnus said he lost four kilos during the first month, which made dealing with the cold increasingly testing.
"The cold temperatures have been the toughest factor so far. Each day it takes me around two hours of hard swimming just to warm up," he said.
Often swimming with their heads underwater, there was not always an opportunity to appreciate the landscape in the early stages.
"There was a certain level of monotony with it," said David.
"You don't get the same stimulation you would get from running or cycling."
However, David (inset), from Derry, added that having a support team has been one of the best aspects so far.
adventures
"On all our other adventures, Maghnus and I have been by ourselves. It's lovely to do the swim as part of a team," he said.
The swimmers are usually in the water at 4am and they could spend as much as 12 hours in the sea each day.
Despite the gruelling conditions, the team said their arrival in Cork has renewed their belief in their chances of completing the adventure.