Blind swimmer Kiri completes her swim across bay challenge
A WARM reception was waiting for swimmer Kiri Knight on Saturday as she completed a swim from Rousse pier to Les Amarreurs.
Miss Knight, who is blind and a resident of Saumarez Park Manor, made the swim accompanied by members of Guernsey Disability Swimming LBG and was guided across the bay by Channel swimmer Adrian Sarchet.
Mr Sarchet has been Miss Knight’s coach in the run-up to the swim, and he said he was impressed at how she had improved since she decided to take on the challenge.
‘When we first started she was swimming 350 metres in an hour,’ he said. ‘Now she can swim a kilometre in an hour.’
The swim was estimated to take her about an hour, but she made the estimated 850 metres in about 35 minutes.
‘She has really improved,’ said Mr Sarchet. ‘I am so proud of her.’
Miss Knight said he had enjoyed herself.
‘It was really great, there was loads of encouragement,’ she said.
To help her on her way her stepfather had made up a motivational mix-tape of songs, including some by one of her favourite bands, Queen.
‘I think I could have gone a bit further,’ she said after arriving at Les Amarreurs to cheers and applause from a crowd of well-wishers.
‘It was a wonderful swim,’ said Mr Sarchet. ‘The support we’ve had from absolutely everyone in the community has been fantastic.’
He said a lot of open water swimmers volunteer with the swimming group and several accompanied him and Miss Knight on their swim.
While they provided encouragement, Mr Sarchet talked to Miss Knight all the way across, giving her an audio guide to stay on target.
Miss Knight said that she was pleased one of her biggest concerns had not arisen during her swim. ‘There were no jellyfish,’ she said.
n Her initial fundraising target of £300 has been almost trebled. You can give to Guernsey Disabillity Swimming through JustGiving https://bit.ly/2L6xGrg.
