Green Sport Awards: Athlete of the 12 months Hector Pardoe on three lakes problem and battle for clear water

I used to be recognised on the BBC Green Sport Awards final 12 months and was capable of current athlete of the 12 months Imogen Grant along with her award on stage.

That left me impressed to take it to the subsequent degree. To see what I might do to amplify my messaging, elevate more cash, push the sustainable message that comes with my sport of open water swimming.

The problem was to swim the three largest lakes within the UK – Loch Lomond, Lake Windermere, Llyn Tegid – and to attempt to do all of it in 24 hours. It had not been achieved earlier than so I simply took it from there.

The whole distance of the problem was 55km (34 miles) and it might be the longest swim of my profession up to now.

It started on the greatest of the lakes – Loch Lomond – at midnight.

I had by no means achieved evening swimming earlier than, in order that was daunting and I wanted to plan for that.

Loch Lomond can be in all probability one of many darkest lochs on this planet. It is 400-500m deep and it’s like you’re simply staring into an unlimited black gap. It is frightening and nothing might actually put together me for that.

That leg of the problem was powerful, it was brutal – 14 diploma waters, practically eight hours of publicity, chilly air temperature.

But I broke the timing file for that loch, and I jumped within the automobile and thought the toughest a part of the problem was achieved.

Once I had obtained the most important one out of the way in which, it might really feel like I used to be coming again down the mountain – nevertheless it very a lot didn’t really feel like that.

I used to be now sleep disadvantaged, knackered, annoyed, and possibly just a little bit delirious. I began refuelling as a result of I had burned round 7,000 energy, however I’ve by no means been that drained earlier than in my life and fell asleep, dropping the pasta throughout me.

That was in all probability the hardest second. Waking up lined in pasta and asking my dad how lengthy till Windermere, solely to search out out it was 20 minutes away and I did not even really feel like I had had greater than 5 minutes break.

My forearms had been fully swollen however the aggressive nature in me needed to see it by means of.

Thank goodness Bala Lake was a small one as a result of I do not suppose I might have taken way more.

It was superb and galvanizing to have so many individuals there on the end line, however I used to be additionally simply pleased to know that I used to be going to be in my mattress in a number of hours.

Surfers Against Sewage – a UK charity that campaigns for cleaner oceans, lakes and rivers – who I raised cash for, had been superb. They had been a help all through the build-up and the day and I’ve made real associates by means of them now.