Hector Pardoe Becomes King of the Lakes in 55km Swim for Clean Water

Three lakes. Three records. One epic stand against sewage pollution.

Olympian and open water champion Hector Pardoe has just made history – and he did it to send a message: our waters are under attack.

In just 22 hours, Hector swam the full length of Loch Lomond, Windermere, and Llyn Tegid – covering 55.5km across Scotland, England, and Wales. It’s the first time anyone has attempted – let alone completed – this all-water version of the iconic Three Peaks challenge.

And he didn’t just finish it – he smashed it. He swam through midnight darkness, battled exhaustion, and broke three lake records on his way to the finish line.

This was about pushing limits for a purpose. Sending a message loud and clear.

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Credit: Alun Bircher

“The system is fundamentally broken”

Before taking on the challenge, Hector made it clear what this swim was really about:

“Across the UK, our rivers and lakes are being polluted by sewage and agricultural runoff, making them unsafe – not just for athletes like me, but for anyone who wants to enjoy them.

It’s more than an environmental issue; it’s about health, access, opportunity, and national pride. In 2024, UK water companies paid out £1.2 billion to shareholders – while discharging raw sewage into our rivers and seas 592,478 times. The system is fundamentally broken.

That’s why I’m supporting a campaign to drive real change in how our water system is regulated and managed.

We now face the biggest opportunity for reform in over three decades. A government-led review into the sector is underway – and there are now 81 active criminal investigations into water companies in England.

I’ve grown up in open water. It gave me the chance to represent Great Britain on the world stage. But the waters that shaped me are now under threat.”

The Swim: 3 Lakes. 55.5km. 3 Records.

Loch Lomond – 7 hours 46 minutes (new record)

Hector’s challenge began at midnight, diving into Scotland’s largest lake with nothing but boat lights guiding his way. He powered through freezing black water, taking an incredible 90 minutes off the previous record.

This was uncharted territory – literally. Before this, Hector had never swum continuously for more than four hours. But with the support of his crew, Marmite sandwiches, and messages from the public, he pushed through to sunrise. At Balloch, he emerged to cheers and relief, holding his head in his hands – the first leg down, and the longest swim of his life complete.

Windermere – 3 hours 38 minutes

After a quick drive south, Hector arrived in Windermere exhausted but determined. At 1:38pm, he hit the water again – battling afternoon winds and dodging boats and paddleboarders.

This was familiar ground: Hector already held the non-wetsuit record here. That gave him some confidence, but nothing about this challenge was easy. Fuelled every 15–20 minutes, he finished just minutes off another record. The crowd at Fell Foot cheered him in – two lakes down.

Llyn Tegid – 48 minutes (new record)

Back on home soil, Hector had time for just a short nap in the car before heading to Llyn Tegid for the final stretch. He set off at 9:30pm, racing against the fading light.

The atmosphere was electric. Local supporters lined the shores, cheering as he carved through the still evening water. A confused finish – caused by a navigation error in the support boat – left Hector wading through shallows to reach dry land. But nothing could take away from what he’d just done.

First to swim Britain’s 3 biggest lakes within 24 hours (new record)

Hector Pardoe is the first person ever to swim all three lakes, back-to-back, in under 24 hours. Three lakes. Three records. One extraordinary mission.

A Record-Breaking Mission for Clean Water

“Hector’s record-breaking swim across the UK’s three largest lakes is nothing short of epic. Covering 55km in under 24 hours, he’s not only completed an incredible physical feat, and a world record, but has raised vital funds and awareness in the fight against sewage pollution.

The message is clear: our rivers, lakes and seas are being choked by sewage, and we urgently need year-round, real-time water quality testing so that everyone who enjoys our blue spaces can do so safely – whether they’re an Olympic athlete, occasional dipper, or committed surfer using the water every day.

We’re so proud to have Hector in our corner, along with all the other incredible Ocean Activists campaigning for cleaner waters and taking on fundraising challenges to fuel the fight. Hector, thank you and congratulations from everyone at SAS – and we can’t wait to see what you do next.”

— Giles Bristow, chief executive, Surfers Against Sewage

Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring During the Swim

Hector’s support boat wasn’t just carrying food, kit and crew – it also housed a real-time water quality sensor, provided by our friends at Seneye.

The sensor tracked pollution indicators in each lake – including ammonia, pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. It’s a vital glimpse of what water monitoring should look like: real-time, year-round data – not outdated weekly samples.

No major pollution events were detected during the swim – but the sensors were only active for a few hours at each site. That’s not enough to tell the full story.

To truly understand what’s happening in our waters, we need:

• Permanent real-time sensor networks across lakes, rivers, and coastlines

• Continuous data to track pollution as it happens – not after the fact

• Greater transparency and enforcement based on real science, not industry excuses

Water sampling taken during the swim may yet reveal more about pollution levels at the time – but one thing is clear: we need a monitoring system fit for the 21st century.

What Now?

This wasn’t just a swim. It was a statement. A world-first challenge with one simple demand: end the sewage scandal.

Public anger has reached boiling point. Political will is shifting. We have the momentum to #EndSewagePollution.

Hector’s challenge fuels that movement. He’s aiming to raise £15,000 to power our work – fighting for:

• Real-time water quality monitoring

• Stronger penalties for polluters

• A future where no one gets sick from swimming in the UK’s wild waters

Be Part of the Movement

This isn’t just Hector’s win – it’s a victory for everyone who cares about clean water.
Whether you’re a wild swimmer, weekend paddler, surfer, or just want thriving lakes, rivers and seas for future generations – now’s the time to stand up and be counted.

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Let’s turn the tide. Together.