Rough conditions force legally blind Paralympian Jeremy McClure to abandon record Abrolhos to Geraldton swim

Despite the unfortunate call to abandon his record swim between the Abrolhos Islands and Geraldton 16 hours in, legally blind Paralympian Jeremy McClure and his team are adamant he could have finished if conditions had been kinder. The massive 53km swim was aborted on Sunday morning, with most of the crew unwell because of the weather, and ocean currents pulling swimmers south. McClure was attempting a feat no other swimmer has achieved before, with the swim expected to take up to 24 hours. The legally blind open-water swimmer was eager to swim into Geraldton’s beach front on Sunday afternoon, but because of weather conditions the crew members were unfit to assist him to the end. McClure and his team set off from Hummock Island at 1.45pm on Saturday and swam throughout the night until the next morning, a total of 16 hours. Calling the swim off at about 6am, McClure said he managed to swim 41 km in treacherous conditions, completing most of his journey in backstroke. “It was great towards the start, my team were amazing and I gave it my best,” he said. “The currents were a lot stronger than what we were prepared for. “Unfortunately it just wasn’t our day.” McClure was assisted by guide swimmers and kayakers in the water with him, and a support crew on vessels. Swimming support worker Rachel Rowland said the team lost a kayak off the back of the boat at the beginning, and the weather and waves were challenging for everyone. “Even with the weather Jeremy would have finished,” she said. “It was memorable, we put a good effort in.” The crew have recovered and rehydrated for their journey back to Perth on Monday. McClure said the open water swim was to raise funds for Guide Dogs WA. To donate visit https://www.mycause.com.au/events/fundraiseforguidedogswa/search-page and search Jeremy McClure.