Lindsey Walke - Eddystone Rocks to Plymouth

Eddystone Rocks to Plymouth

22.1 km (13.7 miles)

8 hours, 34 minutes on 12 June 2024

Observed and documented by Neil Brinkworth

Contents

Swimmer

  • Name: Lindsey Walke
  • Gender: female
  • Age on swim date: 48
  • Nationality: United Kingdom
  • Resides: Plymouth, Devon

Support Personnel

  • Amanda Holland - crew
  • Denise Ward - crew
  • Mike Goodman - crew

Observer

Neil Brinkworth

Escort Vessel

Name Type Port
Size Matters 45ft commercial diving vessel Plymouth

Swim Parameters

  • Category: Solo, nonstop, unassisted.
  • Rules: MSF Rules of Marathon Swimming, without exception or modification.
  • Equipment used: Textile swimsuit (one-piece ladies), cap, goggles.

Route Definition

  • Body of Water: Plymouth Sound / English Channel
  • Route Type: one-way channel swim
  • Start Location: Eddystone Rocks below the Lighthouse (50.187087, -4.26564)
  • Finish Location: Plymouth Hoe / Leander Steps (50.36386, - 4.14423)
  • Minimum Route Distance: 22.1 km (13.7 miles) (map)

History

LongSwimsDB: Eddystone Rocks.


Swim Data

  • Start: 12 June 2024, 09:49:00 (British Summer Time, Europe/London, UTC1).
  • Finish: 12 June 2024, 18:23:29
  • Elapsed: 8 hours, 34 minutes, 29 seconds.

Summary of Conditions

Feature Min Max
Water Temp (C) 13.7 14.8
Air Temp (C) 12.3 14.9
Wind (knots) 3.5 WSW 14.8 SW

GPS Track

Trackpoint frequency: 15 minutes. Download raw data (CSV).

Click to expand map.

Speed Plot

Nutrition: See log.


Observer Log


Swimmer Statement

I’ve been a competitive swimmer since i was 13yrs old & always had a dream to swim the English Channel. I’ve swam at a regional level in my younger club days, for the British Army when i served & now the police. I’ve always swam for fitness & enjoyment in the pool & open water my whole adult life.

Through this i met lots of new people who had become good friends & whom shared their experiences of marathon swimming. This over time does influence you & they encourage you to try & challenge yourself.

After being born & raised in Devon & Cornwall you are spoilt for open water swimming locations. The Eddystone lighthouse is a local landmark & had become iconic with a few recent attempts amongst swimmers.

I decided to enter the channel & got a June 2025 slot but decided to utilise the eddystone swim as a trial run. I had only ever swam 8 miles competitively in my 20’s before. Alongside some longer training sessions this year. I needed to see for myself i was capable mentally & physically as i was scared!

Having now successfully completed the swim i am in shock, but at the same time extremely happy with the result. It has filled me with confidence & pride that I’m capable & my fitness is on track.


Video