Ayrshire Olympian swims the Channel to raise thousands for local club
Rob Woodhouse set the second fastest time this year for swimming to France
Last updated 8th Aug 2022
Ayrshire Olympic medal winner Rob Woodhouse has proved he’s lost none of his skill and determination completing a cross-channel swim to raise thousands of pounds for his local swimming club.
The 56-year-old, who won a bronze medal for Australia in the 400m indvidual medley at the 1984 games in Los Angeles, completed the 21 miles between Dover and France in 10 hours and 45 minutes, fulfilling an ambition since he was a child.
So far, his exploits have raised more the £5500 for North Ayrshire Swimming, where he regularly trains as a Masters swimmer, with more going to a cancer charity back in Australia.
He told West FM News: "It was tough, but I enjoyed every single minute of it, and I was saying that as soon as I got back on the support boat. I wanted to make sure I enjoyed it and didn't have to be carried back on board.
"I knew I was fit enough to do it and I had a fantastic support team.”
Choppy seas
Rob’s channel swim attempt began at 3am on Saturday.
"It was a bit tough at times, choppy at the start, but having everyone on the boat cheering me on really helped," he recalls.
"I wanted to go fast but without exhausting myself. The conditions dictate so much of what you can do. But yeah, it was fast, I think the second fastest this year so far, but there will be a lot faster swims, no doubt.
“It's more about doing it and the whole satisfaction of getting across to France.
Don’t think about the distance
"I just tried to stay 3m from the side of the boat. I was looking forward to the half-hourly feeds - not so much for the feed because that was a bit gross - but more just to know that I was another half hour closer to France.
“Breaking it down into half hour slots was the key because I thought more about that more than the end result.
Tough times for swimming
"It's fantastic to raise funds for North Ayrshire Swimming club having trained with them and seen what they've been through with Covid and the lack of opportunities to train and the number of kids lost to the sport.
"But the signs are there that they're coming back, and more kids are taking up swimming again, and there's definitely talent and enthusiasm. So to raise money for them, and cancer research in Australia, is great.
"I'm totally overwhelmed, not just with the money but all the support."
Keeping it in the family
Swimming runs in the Woodhouse family with Rob’s niece, Emma McKeon becoming the most successful Commonwealth Games athlete of all time winning her 20th medal at the 2022 games in Birmingham, cheered on by her uncle.
"Emma's been unbelievable,” says Rob.
“To be in Birmingham to watch her achieving some of those medals was very special.
"Her dad was on the boat with me for the Channel swim so we've got a lot of celebrating to do, I think!"