I had an idea 6 years ago of swimming to Bishop Rock Lighthouse, the westernmost island in the British Isles. As far as I know, it had never been done. The idea drifted away, realising it was too hard - I let it pass. Though it would always return to tempt me and after a successful run in the Arc of Attrition 100mile foot race I found myself with an injury that stopped me running. As I organised my first swimrun event, I wondered if there was a good swimming challenge I could take on. The Bishop Rock Lighthouse swim popped in my head, but this time stuck!

Wez Swain aboard Swordfish

Over the last 3 months I stared at a chart of Scilly for countless hours, trained my swimming endurance and finding ways to cope with the cold water (at 11 degrees, it's freezing!).

I knew I could only attempt this on neap tides, giving me a window of 2-3 days every couple of weeks and with a wave swell of less than 1.5m. After the winter’s weather, I wasn’t sure if the wave height would ever drop that low again! With the help of Steve Hicks to provide a safety boat, and more importantly his expertise in navigating this wild sea, it looked like the forecast would be good for an attempt on the evening of the 18th of April.

With a support team of two - Steve and Ruth - I knew I was in good hands. In 2018, Ruth and swimming partner Anna were the first, and the only people, to swim from the Bishop Rock to St. Agnes.

The sun came out and the wind eased - I lowered myself into the sea. I swam the short distance to St. Agnes to stand on land. I set off knowing that according to the charts the first 2km would be my strongest tidal side pull. I knew there was a chance I would be pulled south and that would put an end to the idea. However, I was able to make good time and swam through the pull and past Annet. This was where the tide, on paper, should be helping me. It turns out the tide can’t read! It moved all over the place, all the while the oncoming chop of the sea felt bigger and heavier. This was hard swimming. I paused every half hour and was handed a quick energy drink, then carried on.

During the whole swim I had the sun in front of me. And although it blinded me when looking for the lighthouse, it made a warm and welcome companion.

The last two kilometers was hard work. My watch was telling me I swam at half of my normal speed, and with the chop throwing me around, I was getting tired, but slowly the Bishop started to loom over me.

After 2 hours and 31 minutes I finally timed the swell to climb safely onto the rock at the base of the lighthouse. I made it just in time to see the sun dip below the horizon.

Reaching Bishop Rock Lighthouse

Knowing there was no more land for about 3500km was an incredible feeling. After having a moment to take it all in, I headed back down the steps, into the sea, and climbed back onboard the Swordfish.

What a great adventure!

Words by islander Wez Swain, organiser of the Scilly Swimrun events.

Did you know?

Bishop Rock Lighthouse was built in 1858 and can be seen on one of our many sea safari tours. The Guinness Book of Records lists it as the world’s smallest island with a building on it.