Extreme medicine doctors Bristol-born Charlie Fleury and her husband Adam Baker, known as the Emergensea Duo, have set themselves a challenge of a lifetime
Charlie, a former Clifton College pupil and school Swimming Captain, together with her husband Adam are travelling – quite literally – to the ends of the earth to take on the Archipelago Yachts Polar Swim Challenge; swimming an official ‘Ice Kilometre’ at both Poles. Only 10 men and two women have ever swum a kilometre at both poles; to put this into context just 12 people have walked on the moon.
The swims are taking place in September and November in the frigid waters of both the Arctic and Antarctica and will be ratified by the International Ice Swimming Association.
Ice water is considered to be temperatures lower than 5°C and in the first three minutes of the swim they will have to overcome cold water shock. In addition to being at risk of hypothermia they will need to be aware of polar bears, leopard seals and orcas which all frequent the waters.
Despite temperatures as low as -1°C, the Association rules dictate that they may only wear a standard swimming costume, cap and goggles.
The duo are no strangers to extreme challenges to fundraise for charity having previously completed a 3,000-mile Atlantic row, followed a few months later by a 1,683-mile partial circumnavigation row of Great Britain. They also recently became Guinness World Record holders for participating in the longest static cycling class with Worle Spinners.
They hope this challenge will raise £20,000 for their chosen charities, Weston Hospicecare and Ocean Conservation Trust.
Weston Hospice provides expert palliative care to people with life-limiting illnesses. Adam, a Specialty Doctor in Palliative Care at the hospice said, ‘I’m passionate about helping people overcome the enormous challenges they may face and I am immensely proud to be part of the team at Weston. We currently have many projects running at the hospice but I would like any money we raise to go towards renovating the in-patient rooms.’
Drawn to water and sport as an outlet to stress relief, Charlie and Adam have a strong bond with the sea. They were attracted to the Ocean Conservation Trust by its ethos of wanting to connect people with the water. This south west-based global conservation charity will use any funds raised to support their experiences, which encourage behaviour change and ocean advocacy alongside habitat restoration projects.
For more info, visit the website emergenseaduo.com
