Channel Challenge ; Holiday Health

JUST the thought of swimming the English Channel would be enough to make most people feel exhausted.

But Teesside swimmer Keith Prior, 55, pictured, says it’s not as hard as it looks.

Keith took up the challenge to swim the equivalent of the Channel as part of a fundraiser at Otium Health and Leisure at the Thistle Hotel, Middlesbrough.

“It was not particularly hard, it was just a bit boring – I had to do 3,168 lengths,” said Keith, who goes to the leisure club before work most mornings for a swim and a sauna. “I did it as a challenge for myself to see if I could do it – 22 miles is a long way.”

Keith completed the swim in stages to fit in with his work and altogether it took him 13 hours. He raised almost pounds 300 for Teesside Hospice.

The Jobcentre Plus manager said he did not do any special training for the event, just his daily pre-work swims. “I occasionally go in the gym too. The gym is excellent. You can’t fault it – not just the equipment but the standard of the whole place. And the staff are very friendly and approachable.”

The Otium Health and Leisure club provides its members and hotel guests with a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, spa pool, beauty treatments, personal trainers and workout facilities.

“Whether people want to get fit for a wedding or the Middlesbrough 10k run we are here to help them do it,” said manager Mark Castle.

(c) 2007 Evening Gazette – Middlesbrough. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.