York Samaritan Volunteer Judith Kirk Takes on Loch Lomond
In July 2023, Judith Kirk from York, an avid open water swimmer, took on her biggest challenge yet, swimming the entire length of Loch Lomond, to celebrate her 60th birthday and at the same time raise funds for York Samaritans.
Loch Lomond, the largest lake by surface area in Great Britain, set in the beautiful Trossachs National Park in Southern Scotland is a stunning location for Judiths ultra marathon swim. Its waters contain 22 islands and 27 islets, it's 0.2km deep (660ft) and is 36km (22 miles) long. It
also has its own Monster, a creature resembling a plesiosaur or a large crocodile which has been reported on several occasions!!
“I absolutely love to swim, anywhere, anytime, so what better way to celebrate my 60th birthday than to swim the length of Loch Lomond, from Ardlui in the North to Balloch Castle in the South. It's a route that firstly takes me along the East shore of Loch Lomond, crossing over to Tarbet on the west then continuing past Luss, Blairglas and eventually arriving at Balloch Castle. It will be about a 15 hour continuous swim, no hopping on the boat and I'll be fed in the water by my support crew, (my husband and a very close friend). It's bit like feeding a seal I suppose!!! I'll be accompanied by a safety boat. The pilot has swum the English Channel twice and is very experienced and she will guide me through the swim and keep me safe.
I've not always been a long distance swimmer. It all started about 12 years ago when I was diagnosed with diabetes and basically I had to change my lifestyle or end up on medication. I took the route of a lifestyle change and to be honest I've never looked back. I've swum the English Channel, a single and a double Windermere (Ambleside to Fell Foot and back), Ullswater two times, Coniston Water, my favourite, 10 times and several other adventure swims in both the UK and abroad. Loch Lomond is my biggest challenge yet!
The training for this 'adventure' has been hard with miles and miles of swimming every week and 4 to 5 hours in the pool most days. It had to be done though, it's an extermely long swim and preparation is so important. There's not a DIY manual on how to ultra swim for my 'type' of swimmer, who doesn't have the athletic look, is nearly 60 and certainly not speedy!!
If you would like to sponsor Judith we‘d really appreciate it thank you.