Watch: ‘Instead Of Wishing Him Luck, Pick Up Some Plastic’ – Neil Agius Launches New Campaign Ahead Of 100 Mile Swim
The team behind ultra-swimmer Neil Agius has just appealed to the public to support him by picking up plastic rather than wishing him good luck ahead of his record-breaking 100 Mile Swim.
Agius and his team have just given a press conference ahead of his upcoming swim – a world-first record attempt in the longest unassisted open water sea swim with no breaks – and no current to carry him.
“The 100 Mile Swim is not just about setting a world record,” said Agius.
“More importantly, it is about highlighting the problem of pollution and pollutants in the seas and oceans.”
As he gears up for this 175,000+ stroke swim, the endurance athlete, former Olympian, and clean seas activist announced the campaign theme behind his 100 Mile Swim – #ChangeforChange – which aims to promote three pillars of societal change:
1. Live for Change
2. Dress for Change
3. Eat for Change
Working in collaboration with Wave of Change Malta – an NGO seeking to bring about change by raising awareness on the huge cumulative impact that modifying small aspects of our day to day lives can have, inspiring choices driven by sustainability and compassion – Agius seeks to raise encourage people to embrace change with open arms.
So let’s go through them:
Live for Change seeks to encapsulate energy-encouraging sustainable lifestyle choices, which should include energy efficiency and smarter household water management – which is increasingly important in the Maltese context.
The Dress for Change aspect of this campaign encourages people to make more sustainable fashion choices by embracing clothing swaps and seeking to purchase clothing created with sustainable textiles.
The third and final aspect of this campaign – Eat for Change – will urge the adoption of a more sustainable dietary lifestyle. This should prioritise the consumption of locally produced, in-season foods – and importantly limiting the consumption of red meat.
Agius will be crossing open water from Mallorca, and won’t touch down until he’s paddled around 160km. He’ll be touching down on the eastern coast of Ibiza.
In his most ambitious challenge yet – though far from his first – Agius’ physical endurance will be put to the test, along with his mental resilience and ability to push past mental blocks and just keep swimmin’.
The 100 Mile Swim will take place in the summer of 2023 during a brief weather window beginning at the end of June.
Agius has the support of around 25 volunteers and professionals ranging from medics, swim observers, navigators, skippers, crew, motivators, media, and an all-important nutritionist – so though this challenge is not without danger – he will be kept as safe and healthy as possible throughout the swim.
The 100 Mile swim is supported by the Mallorca Preservation Foundation as well as Neil’s own NGO Wave of Change Malta, Ocibar Marinas, and the Palma International Boat Show as well as being proudly sponsored by Atlas Insurance and Visit Malta.
Tag someone who should follow Neil’s campaigns
READ NEXT: 'Xebbajtuna!': National Environmental Protest Demanding Better Planning Announced For End Of May In Valletta
