3 Lakes – 24 Hours – 1 Olympic Athlete
Olympic open water swimmer Hector Pardoe is attempting a first - to swim Loch Lomond, Lake Windermere and Lake Bala all in 24 Hours. Scotland, England and Wales' biggest lakes in aid of SAS
YOU CAN DONATE HERE and find out more about Hector
Two-time British Olympian and open water marathon swimmer Hector Pardoe has made history in the water – winning Britain’s first World Championship medal in 13 years and finishing 6th at the Paris 2024 Olympics. But now, Hector is taking on his toughest test yet – and it’s all in support of cleaner, safer waterways.
This summer, Hector will attempt a world first: to swim Britain’s three largest lakes – Loch Lomond in Scotland, Windermere in England, and Lake Bala in Wales – back-to-back in under 24 hours.
No one has ever completed this challenge. Covering 34.5 miles of open water, this swim is almost double the length of the English Channel. Hector will face up to 15 hours of relentless swimming, battling freezing, pitch-black waters, strong winds, and unpredictable conditions.
Inspired by the legendary Three Peaks mountain challenge, Hector has created an equally iconic test – but this one is entirely in the water.
And he’s doing it for a reason that matters to all of us.
Across the UK, our rivers and lakes are being polluted by sewage, agricultural runoff, and mismanagement. In 2024 alone, water companies dumped raw sewage into our rivers and seas nearly 600,000 times – all while paying out £1.2 billion to shareholders. It’s not just an environmental disaster – it’s a public health crisis.
The system is broken. But this year, we have the biggest opportunity for change in a generation.
A major government review into how our water industry is run is now underway – the most significant reform since privatisation. With 81 criminal investigations into water companies active in England, public pressure has never been more critical.
Hector’s story is a familiar one to many of us. He grew up swimming in his local lake, shaped by wild, open water. It gave him the opportunity to represent Britain on the world stage. But the waters that made him – and many of us – are under threat.
Last year, Hector broke the World Record for swimming the length of Windermere. But when he finished, one thought stayed with him: I can do more.
This challenge is about more than pushing personal limits. It’s about fighting for the lakes, rivers, and coastlines we all rely on. That’s why Hector is fundraising for Surfers Against Sewage.
We are proud to stand alongside Hector as he takes on this challenge to demand cleaner, safer water for all. Together, we’re holding polluters to account, campaigning for systemic change, and giving communities a voice in the fight for clean water.
Hector’s goal is to raise £15,000 to support this vital work – and he needs your help.
If you care about protecting nature, the power of sport, or simply believe no one should get sick from swimming in their local waters – please support Hector’s mission. Every donation helps us fight for clean, thriving rivers, lakes, and seas.
Together, we can demand better. Donate today.
