Worthing woman survives rough seas to swim to Rampion Offshore Wind Farm and back for charity

A Worthing woman has become the first person to swim out to the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm and back, launching a series of extreme challenges to raise money and awareness for emergency service workers suffering with their mental health.
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Triathlete Nikki Gatland is part of A See Change, a team set up to raise money for the Op Surfwell project and campaign for cleaner oceans.

She was joined by friend and fellow teammate Jon Cassell at the start and finish of the 19-mile swim but he had to pull out halfway through due to exhaustion in the rough conditions.

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Nikki said: “One of the hardest parts of the challenge was on the outward journey, swimming against the current and navigating to an exact turbine. It felt like I wasn’t going forward.

Nikki Gatland and Jon Cassell at the end of the 11-hour, 19-mile swim. Picture: Phil WestNikki Gatland and Jon Cassell at the end of the 11-hour, 19-mile swim. Picture: Phil West
Nikki Gatland and Jon Cassell at the end of the 11-hour, 19-mile swim. Picture: Phil West

“Having the safety boat there was crucial, not only for navigation but just in case there was an emergency.”

Nikki and Jon set off from Worthing beach in the early hours of September 12, supported by brothers Alastair and Charlie Carlow, who plotted a route to take into account the changing tides and conditions.

They said it felt really strange getting into the water in the dark, especially as the conditions were ‘lumpy’.

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It soon became apparent the original distance of 16 miles would increase as conditions worsened. The brothers, Alastair an experienced seaman and Charlie a professional forecaster, proved indispensable in guiding the swimmers to the turbines on the shortest route possible.

Nikki Gatland on her return from the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm. Picture: Phil WestNikki Gatland on her return from the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm. Picture: Phil West
Nikki Gatland on her return from the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm. Picture: Phil West

Nikki and Jon followed the light of the safety boat, with the flashing lights of the turbines in the distance.

The first hour and a half was in complete darkness, so only the glowing lights and tow floats attached to the swimmers could be seen from the safety boat.

Keeping close to the swimmers while keeping on course proved quite hard, as the south-westerly winds dragged the boat off course.

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Nikki and Jon said: “At times, we were unable to see the boat. We had to trust we were swimming in the right direction.”

Spirits were high for the first three hours and the pair even had time to make jokes and sing Alastair happy birthday. They remained in the water during fuel stops, taking on protein mixes and bananas alongside the occasional mouthful of salt water.

Nikki said: “I’ve always found it hard to fuel during long distance races but knew I had to force myself to refuel.”

Then, four-and-a-half hours into the swim, Jon’s body gave up and, unable to continue, he reluctantly asked to be pulled into the boat to rest.

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Jon said: “It wasn’t an easy decision to pull out, my body just gave up and I couldn’t carry on.”

As Nikki approached turbine No.F04, the conditions were against them and the wind pushed both her and the boat away from the halfway point. Finally, she swam around the turbine in five-and-a-half hours, then took a short rest and refuel before swimming back again.

Averaging 28 strokes per minute, Nikki just kept on going.

As she approached the final leg, with only a few hours remaining, Jon was keen to get back into the water and, feeling strong again, he squeezed back into his wetsuit.

After 11 hours, and despite being carried east of the intended landing point by the strong current and wind, Nikki and Jon were joined by local swimmers for the final stretch and cheered back to land by friends and family.

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Nikki and Jon are building up to the pinnacle A See Change event, to row the Atlantic Ocean. They have set their sights on being the fastest mix pair to complete the crossing as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Race.

Op Surfwell, the project they are supporting, uses surfing improve mental health and wellbeing within the police force and emergency services.

Visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/aseechange for more information and to make a donation.

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