Ross Edgley becomes the first person to swim around Iceland

British endurance athlete Ross Edgley has set a new milestone in open-water swimming and maritime endurance by becoming the first person to circumnavigate Iceland. Covering a distance of more than 1,600 km, Edgley began his challenge on 16 May in Reykjavík and returned to the same port this Monday afternoon.

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09 september 2025   |   11:01   |   Source: Gazeta Morska / PAP   |   Prepared by: Marta Zabłocka   |   Print

fot. Ross Edgley

Extreme conditions and maritime logistics

Edgley swam clockwise around the island, never once stepping ashore. The expedition relied on the support of an escort yacht, which provided rest and recovery facilities. For nearly four months, Edgley maintained a strict cycle: six hours of swimming followed by six hours of recovery.

Preparation and physical demands

To withstand Arctic waters, the 39-year-old ultra-marathon swimmer followed an intensive training and nutritional regime. His daily intake reached 10,000–15,000 calories, fueled largely by pasta and local licorice. He deliberately gained 15 kg before the attempt to build resilience against cold exposure and sustained exertion.

– This was the hardest and most ambitious challenge I have ever undertaken, – Ross Edgley told Sky News after stepping back on land.

A scientific mission at sea

Beyond its sporting character, the project also had a strong research dimension. In cooperation with the University of Iceland and the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Edgley collected daily water samples to be analyzed for microplastics, chemical pollutants, and marine biodiversity. In parallel, medical researchers monitored his physiology to study the effects of prolonged cold-water immersion on the human body.

A background in aquatic sports

Edgley has been active in swimming and water polo since childhood. He shifted towards open-water swimming when he realized that, unlike in team sports, height was less decisive. – In open-water swimming, determination and resilience matter more than size, – he emphasized.

Record-breaking achievements

The circumnavigation of Iceland adds to an already remarkable list of feats. In 2018, Edgley became the first person in history to swim around the entire United Kingdom, a challenge that took 157 days. In 2022, he swam Loch Ness non-stop in 53 hours. His other extreme endeavors include pulling a 1,400 kg Mini Cooper over the distance of a marathon and climbing a rope to the equivalent height of Mount Everest in less than 20 hours.

Significance for the maritime community

Edgley’s achievement illustrates the intersection of human endurance, marine research, and maritime logistics. His expedition not only highlights the potential of open-water swimming as a tool for oceanographic studies but also underlines the urgent need to monitor Arctic waters – a region acutely affected by climate change and pollution.

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Ross Edgley pływanie ekstremalne Islandia badania morskie sporty wodne

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