Athlete attempts to swim around Palm in record bid

Dubai: A Dubai-based British athlete will attempt to become the first person to swim around Palm Jumeirah this weekend.

Jamie Atherton, a key account manager with AME Info, is undertaking the challenge to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK in memory of his friend John Ratcliffe, who died from the illness last year.

The 32-year-old aims to swim anti-clockwise around the entire perimeter of the Palm — a distance of 16.2 kilometres — in around five and a half hours on Saturday. He will be accompanied by a support boat and crew that will supply food and energy drinks.

Atherton, originally from Lancashire in England, said: "John was one of my best friends at university. He was just hilarious and he was always the one who put a smile on your face even when you were getting up for lectures at 7am. He died in June last year at the age of 27 just a couple of weeks after being diagnosed with bowel cancer".

"I've had a few thoughts about what I could do in John's honour. I know he would just love the Palm idea. It's a little bit mad and suits his personality perfectly.

"I was speaking to his brother on the phone a few days ago and he told me John would think it was great especially as nobody has ever done it before."

Atherton, who has lived in the UAE for the last eight years, represented Great Britain in the European Triathlon Championships in Portugal last year.

Preparation

He has been swimming 34 kilometres a week in both pool and sea over the last few months to prepare for the challenge. He spends two hours swimming five times a week. He also hits the gym twice a week. Every Saturday he swims 10 kilometres in open water.

Atherton added: "My sport is triathlon but over the last three and-a-half months my focus has been purely on swimming. My friends and family all think I'm a bit mad. But after the initial reaction everybody is really supportive and the feedback I've received from home has been nothing but positive.

"I don't really have any physical concerns about the swim although I am expecting a few stings from all the jellyfish at the back of Atlantis!"

Atherton will begin his swim around one of the UAE's most iconic landmarks from the One and Only Royal Mirage Hotel at around 6.15am.

He hopes the event will capture the imagination of residents and encourage them to donate to the cause.

Funds: Give to the cause

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/palm-jumeirah-swim

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