A team of 9 dedicated young swimmers from the Isle of Wight are preparing to represent their home at the 2025 International Island Games in Orkney next month – and they’re marking the moment with a 48-kilometre sponsored swim.
The challenge, which reflects the combined ferry distance from the Isle of Wight to Orkney, is part of a wider fundraising effort to help cover the team’s travel and competition costs for the prestigious international event.
The Isle of Wight swim team consists of Isobel, Will, Skye, George, Mylea, Harry, Grace, Ben and Inara. All have trained intensely for the past 2 years, often before school, in the evenings, and at weekends, to earn their place at the Island Games.
Gavin Muncaster, Team Manager, has said:
“These young swimmers have shown incredible dedication, often training before school, evenings, and across weekends.
“It’s been a real privilege to be part of their journey. Competing at the Island Games is a huge achievement, and I’m proud to support them however I can – even if that means crawling through ice and mud for 24 hours!”
Gavin is backing the team’s efforts by taking on the World’s Toughest Mudder – a 24-hour obstacle course being held at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire from 28th-29th June. His challenge follows recent completions of the London Marathon and Europe’s Toughest Mudder, all in support of the swim team’s fundraising goals.
The team, alongside Gavin and Head Coach Val Guard, will travel to Orkney on 10th July to join athletes from 23 other islands across the world. The Island Games, often described as a ‘mini Olympics’, provide a rare opportunity for athletes from smaller islands to compete on the international stage.
To support the swimmers’ efforts, visit www.justgiving.com/page/swim-to-orkney.
To back Gavin’s endurance challenge, visit www.justgiving.com/page/gavin-muncaster-should-remember-his-age.
