Extreme swimmer Ryan Stramrood plans to return and finish his solo swim from Ireland to Scotland across the notoriously difficult North Channel.
The Capetonian’s adventure, which began on Tuesday, was cut short when he had to be rushed to hospital after experiencing difficulties.
He said an X-ray scan showed that he had water in his lungs, restricting his oxygen intake.
He had also been mildly hypothermic.
The swim he had attempted is recognised as one of the toughest channel swims in the world, according to Stramrood.
He wore only a Speedo, goggles and a cap in 12.8°C water.
“I swam well for 16km, watched the sun rise and was hugely buoyed by the subtle, probably psychological, effect of the warmth on my back. At that stage I knew I'd make it. Five hours 30 minutes in, I was cold but totally embracing it. But the water was getting rougher and was pushing me around a lot. I had also been drinking a ton of seawater courtesy of the waves,” he said.
“With the tidal swim window closing and the weather not suited to make any attempt, I chose to go on a day that the North Channel (body of water between Ireland and Scotland) didn't want a swimmer in her waters.”
Stramrood said he started experiencing difficulties when he battled to breathe.
“I knew something was very wrong. I had no power in my arms and was gasping for air,” said Stramrood.
He said his crew raised the alarm when he continued finding it difficult to breathe.
“After 19.3km, six hours, in 12.8°C, apparently I looked like death not yet warmed up. This prompted the crew to alert shore-based medics who rushed out to the middle of the channel to collect me in their Zodiac (craft). Their arrival took me totally by surprise and I was initially annoyed by what I deemed a great overreaction,” he said. “However, upon medical examinations and X-rays, it turned out to be a lifesaving decision. I will be forever grateful to the team”.