Weather analysts are currently monitoring sea and air conditions to find the perfect three-day window for ultra-endurance athlete and clean seas advocate Neil Agius to attempt a new world record challenge.
As of Wednesday, a three-week timeframe has officially begun, during which Agius’ team believes they will pinpoint the ideal weather conditions for him to reattempt his world record open water swim. This means Agius and his team are on a 48-hour standby, and the swim could be announced at any moment.
Agius plans to swim around the entirety of Malta, Gozo, and Comino. “This is the first time anyone has ever attempted to swim around the entire Maltese archipelago, and it’s also the first time I will be trying to set a new world record right here at home,” Agius stated.
The challenge involves Agius swimming the open-sea route along the coastal waters of the Maltese archipelago, covering approximately 160 km. While swimming around Malta, Gozo, and Comino would amount to just 104 km, Agius will need to continue swimming beyond this distance to break his own world record.
Due to the unpredictable weather conditions at this time of year, the route Agius will take may still change significantly. The date, time, and location of departure, as well as the specific route, will be announced just 48 hours prior to his departure.
If successful, Agius will break the existing world record for the longest non-stop, unassisted, current-neutral sea swim, which he currently holds. Neil set this record in 2021 when he swam from Linosa to Malta, covering a distance of 125.7 km and finishing in Xlendi, Gozo. Since then, there have been several attempts, but no one has officially broken this record.
This will mark Agius’ first attempt to reclaim the record after he was forced to abandon a similar swim in Spain last year. To commemorate this year’s swim, special edition t-shirts have been launched and can be pre-ordered here.
reated by renowned artist and designer Ed Dingli, the t-shirts showcase the distinctive Maltese topography shaped in the outline of a whale.
Swim Powers Marine Clean-Ups: Get Involved
Agius is utilizing this swim to raise awareness about the condition of Malta’s marine habitat, focusing on important environmental issues while inspiring a collective commitment to safeguard the Mediterranean Sea.
Just as the unpredictable nature of the sea influences Agius’ swim, it will also determine the environmental initiatives that accompany it. In collaboration with the NGO Wave of Change and marine clean-up specialists Żibel, three clean-up events will be organized, with the specific locations and timings revealed once the swim route and conditions are finalized. Żibel will oversee the coordination of these clean-ups.
The public is invited to express their interest here, and they will receive an email notification once the details are confirmed. Participation is limited to 50 individuals per clean-up event, so the community is encouraged to register promptly to secure their spot.
With over 149,500 kg of waste collected by Żibel over the years, the issue remains far from resolved.
Harnessing ‘The Ocean Mindset’
At the core of Agius’ preparation is his self-developed ‘Ocean Mindset’ technique—a mental framework that complements his rigorous physical training.
This collection of tools aids Agius in maintaining mental clarity, navigating challenges, and tackling the unexpected obstacles that arise during this groundbreaking attempt. With no established guide for a swim of this scale, Agius has trained his mind to adapt to the unprecedented demands.
Lead partner GO, who is supporting the swim and all of Neil’s endeavors over the next three years, will collaborate with Agius to provide The Ocean Mindset tools to their team members. This initiative aims to help them manage stress, enhance communication, and prioritize their well-being.
The Small Island, Big Swim is also backed by VisitMalta, Atlas Insurance, and Cisk 0.0, along with Kia, Garmin, and Maypole.
