Berrynarbor swimmer breaks 38-year record in Lake Geneva challenge

A Berrynarbor man has achieved a remarkable milestone by breaking a 38-year-old record for swimming across Lake Geneva. 

Neil Gilson completed the demanding swim in 22 hours and nine minutes surpassing the previous record of 22 hours, 42 minutes, and 30 seconds set by Swiss Olympian Alain Charmey in 1986.

Neil began his swim on the evening of Tuesday, July 16, departing from Montreux at 7.45pm.

He swam through the night and into the next day, finishing his journey around 5pm local time on Wednesday, July 17.

ABOVE: Neil swimming during the night

Despite battling choppy waters, floating debris, and severe cold, Neil’s determination led him to complete the swim successfully.

Reflecting on why he chose Lake Geneva, Neil said: “I chose the region because my grandparents used to have a chalet in Chamonix, so I spent a lot of time in the area as a child. Obviously, Lake Geneva is quite close to Chamonix. It's just a part of the world that I've spent a lot of time in.”

A former competitive swimmer who represented Great Britain in his twenties, Neil had undergone extensive training for this challenge. 

He prepared at Barnstaple’s Tarka Leisure Centre and trained in the open waters of Woolacombe. 

Although Neil attempted the swim last year, he had to abandon it after developing hypothermia, having covered 56 kilometres. 

This year, he managed to swim 72 kilometres due to challenging conditions, exceeding the lake's total distance of about 70 kilometres.

Throughout the swim, Neil employed a unique fuelling strategy. 

After finding energy gels unappetising, he turned to eating doughnuts, which provided him with the necessary energy boost.

He adhered to strict rules that prohibited him from touching the support boat or anyone else, using a special feeding device to receive food and fluids during the swim.

Neil was supported by the Lake Geneva Swimming Association, which ensured his safety and helped navigate his route. 

He encountered numerous obstacles, including floating logs and extreme cold. “I decided to swim through the night to get that part out of the way, unlike the year before when I started during the day. It was very choppy and I swallowed a lot of water.”

He even got hit by a few logs in the water during the swim.

Only 12 people have completed the swim across the lake

The inspiration for Neil’s swim was deeply personal. 

He learned about PANS PANDAS UK, the charity he chose to support, after watching a family's story on the TV show This Morning. 

The charity educates GPs, teachers and families about the neuropsychiatric conditions Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections.

Neil’s son had been diagnosed with the condition, and the family’s experience highlighted the need for greater awareness and support. 

This motivated Neil to take on the swim to raise funds for the charity, which assists families affected by similar conditions.

Neil’s journey to Switzerland was a logistical challenge.

Instead of flying, he and his team drove to Switzerland to transport the necessary equipment. 

They took the Channel Tunnel from Folkestone to Calais, making their way across Europe by road to reach Lake Geneva.

Reflecting on his accomplishment, Neil said: “I feel really proud. A lot of the locals are really pleased. It seems to be going down really well.”

To officially validate his record, all GPS data from the swim will be sent off for verification. The data, which includes detailed logs every half hour, will be reviewed before the record is officially ratified.

Yesterday, July 21, Neil celebrated his achievement with a barbecue and a few sips of champagne with his family. 

He said: “Right now, I’m just focusing on recovery because every bit hurts.”

Neil has already raised more than £3,000 for PANS PANDAS UK and is contemplating future challenges to continue supporting the charity.

For now, he is dedicated to recovering from the swim and enjoying time with his family. 

He said: “I’m not sure what’s next yet. I always seem to get an itch for a new challenge, so we’ll see what the future holds.”

You can support Neil's fundraising here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/neil-gilson-lakegenevaswim2024