'Where there is a will there is a way' - Double amputee swims the Solent from Stokes Bay to Ryde for charity
‘I love being able to prove the situation wrong’
A former army medic dodged jelly fish and cargo ships to become what is believed to be the first double amputee to swim across the Solent.
Simon Harmer, 50, took on the challenge setting off alongside his friend Mark Ryan on Wednesday, July 22. The duo left the mainland at Stokes Bay as they made their way across to Ryde on the Isle of Wight covering 2.7 miles of choppy waters.
In reaching the other side it is believed that Simon has become the first to cross the stretch of water with both legs amputated.
He said: “It went really well, the last 250 metres were quite tough as it was really shallow. We had to dodge a few jelly fish as well but other than that the conditions were great.
“We have done a bit of research and cant find anyone else who has done it so until someone else can tell me I’m not the first I can say with good honesty that I am the first double amputee to swim across the Solent.”
It was not all smooth sailing for the friends who only met recently after swimming at the same leisure centre in Winchester. They got talking one day and Mark asked ‘have you ever swum the Solent?’
It is the third time that Mark, a 64-year-old writer and former journalist, has taken on the challenge but he described it as the most difficult.
Mark said: “It is starting to hit home physically now and my challenge wasn't anywhere near what Simon’s was just using the power of his arms and shoulders. It was scary with all of the container ships going past. It was gruelling for a 64-year-old but Simon didnt seem troubled by it at all.
“He wasn't nervous before and didnt seem to have any doubt that he wouldn't make it and was happy and steady afterwards. I suppose if you have been through some of the things that he has been through, you don’t get fazed by swimming across the Solent.”
Simon spent over 17 years as a medic in the army with tours in Bosnia, Iraq, Congo and in Afghanistan. It was while serving on the front line in Afghanistan in October 2009 that he was caught in an IED blast which led to him losing his left leg above the knee and his right leg below the knee.
For Simon, the swim was another example of how people can achieve their goals no matter what.
He said: “I love being able to prove the situation wrong and say you can overcome challenges and achieve what you set out to do regardless of your situation or what restrictions you have. Where there is a will there is a way even if that means adapting what you do slightly, it can still be achieved.”
As Mark started to struggle near the end, not helped by a jelly fish sting to the face, Simon led them in to Ryde.
Mark said: “Disabled people are not celebrated enough for their abilities. I led the way for the first half of the swim and he definitely led the way for the second half as I was conking out. He was the one carrying us through to the end, getting us over the line, looking behind to see where I was and waiting for me. It was fantastic, what a brilliant bloke!”
The swim took them around one and a half hours with Simon doing a large chunk of his training at the newly opened Hilsea Lido calling it “amazing” and a “great asset” for Portsmouth.
Reflecting on the accomplishment, Simon said: “I am chuffed to bits, I said yes to the challenge and raised money for a great organisation so I’m really happy.”
Both Simon and Mark undertook the challenge for charity with Simon raising funds for Pilgrim Bandits and Mark for Winnall Rock School in Winchester. To donate to their JustGiving pages click on the links below:
Mark - https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mark-ryan-529?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=EM&ref=ed_direct
The duo were assisted by Angus McChesney of Iconic swims who Mark calls “the tide whisperer” for judging the tide perfectly of when to swim.