Ross Edgley

Edgley was born into a sporting family in Grantham, Lincolnshire.{{Cite web|url=https://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/grantham-force-was-strong-says-record-breaking-swimmer-ross-edgley-9048668/|title='Grantham force was strong' says record-breaking swimmer Ross Edgley|date=9 November 2018|website=Grantham Journal|access-date=19 November 2019}} His father was a tennis coach and his mother was a sprinter.{{Cite web |date=15 November 2020 |title=Remembering inspirational coach, Richard Edgley |url=https://www.lta.org.uk/news/remembering-inspirational-coach-richard-edgley/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=Lawn Tennis Association |language=en-GB}} Although playing many sports as a child (football, rugby, trail running and tennis), he specialised in swimming and water polo and represented his country internationally at junior level whilst studying at King's Grammar School in Grantham, England.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

He later gained a sports scholarship to study at Loughborough University's School of Sport and Exercise Science,{{Cite web|title=A Great British swim {{!}} LboroGameChangers {{!}} Loughborough University|url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/lborogamechangers/great-british-swim/|access-date=14 March 2021|website=www.lboro.ac.uk}} where he continued to train at the British Swimming National Centre. A year into his scholarship, Edgley then retired from international competition and decided to transition into ultra-distance sea swimming instead, which the university supported through the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine.{{Cite web |title=Ross Edgley {{!}} Alumni {{!}} Loughborough University |url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/alumni/our-alumni/ross-edgley/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=www.lboro.ac.uk}}

In 2019, he received an honorary doctorate from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) in Lincoln,{{Cite news|date=24 July 2019|title=Record-breaking adventurer Ross Edgley gets honorary degree|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-49096495|access-date=14 March 2021}} for his research into mental and physical resilience and continues to coach and lecture around the world in the science and psychology of adventure.{{Cite web |title=Adventurer and author awarded honorary degree at BGU Graduation Ceremony {{!}} Bishop Grosseteste University |url=https://www.bgu.ac.uk/news/adventurer-and-author-to-be-awarded-honorary-degree-at-bgu-graduation-ceremony |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=www.bgu.ac.uk |language=en-GB}}

File:Great British Swim - Ross Edgley's support boat "Hecate".jpg

Between June and November 2018, Edgley completed a 157-day {{convert|1792|mi}} swim around Britain.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/04/it-was-brutal-ross-edgley-completes-157-day-swim-around-britain|title='It was brutal': Ross Edgley completes 157-day swim around Britain|last=Halliday|first=Josh|date=4 November 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=31 January 2019|issn=0261-3077}} Aided by a team of experts which monitored the tides and his health in his {{convert|16|m}} support boat Hecate, he typically swam for six hours, rested for six hours, and then swam for another six hours on repeat. He typically consumed around 15,000 calories a day.{{cite web|url=https://www.outdoorsradar.com/watersports/ross-edgley-nutrition/|title=The 15,000 Calorie Diet Fuelling Ross Edgley's Swim Around Great Britain|publisher=Outdoorsradar.com|date=16 October 2018|access-date=24 February 2020}}

The gruelling swim took its toll on his body, disintegrating his tongue through the eroding effect of the salt, giving him "Rhino Neck" from the effect of the wetsuit rubbing, and his feet entirely losing their arches and turning a deep purple and yellow. The team treated him with Sudocrem, Vaseline, plasters, bin bags and duct tape.{{cite web|author=Hunt, Elle|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/nov/05/chunks-of-my-tongue-came-off-you-could-see-the-tastebuds-ross-edgley-on-swimming-around-great-britain|title='Chunks of my tongue came off – you could see the tastebuds': Ross Edgley on swimming around Great Britain |newspaper=The Guardian|date=5 November 2018|access-date=24 February 2020}} Edgley's journey was documented as a weekly internet series, "Ross Edgley's Great British Swim", produced by Red Bull TV.

After completing the swim in Margate on 4 November 2018, the World Open Water Swimming Association announced it as the World Swim of the Year 2018 and it became officially recognised as "The World's Longest Staged Sea Swim."{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46088884|title=Ross Edgley sets record for round Great Britain swim|date=4 November 2018|work=BBC|access-date=4 November 2018}} Talking about his historic swim Edgley said, "It's my hope that people remember the Great British Swim as an example or experiment in both mental and physical fortitude."{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/04/europe/ross-edgley-swims-around-great-britain-trnd/index.html|title=After 5 months at sea, Ross Edgley completes swim around Great Britain|first=Amanda |last=Jackson|work=CNN|access-date=7 November 2018}}

During his circumnavigation swim of Great Britain, Edgley also broke several other records. Notably this involved becoming the first person to swim the length of the English Channel from Dover to Land's End, over 350 miles (563 km) in 30 days. Edgley never celebrated the achievement, however, and instead joked it was only a "warm up" because he still had 1,442 miles to swim (and 127 days at sea) before he completed his much larger mission and arrived back in Margate, Kent.

Edgley also accidentally became the fastest person to swim the {{convert|900|mi}} from Land's End to John o' Groats in 62 days. More than halving the time of the previous record (from Sean Conway of 135 days), Edgley and his crew said they did not realise they had broken another record and were just trying to swim fast enough to avoid an Arctic storm approaching from Iceland. He then became the first person to swim the length of the Moray Firth, before heading to the English border at Berwick-upon-Tweed where he joked, "It was all downhill from here".

On 23 September 2022, Edgley undertook a charity swim in Loch Ness, Scotland.{{Cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/extreme-adventurer-swims-continuously-for-more-than-two-days-to-break-loch-ness-record-12704366|title=Extreme adventurer swims continuously for more than two days to break Loch Ness record|work=Sky News|access-date=24 September 2022}} Known for being the largest lake (by volume) in the UK, the water temperature rarely reaches above 5°C (41°F). Which is why, in preparation for the extreme endurance event and to counteract the cold effect of continual immersion in water, he gained 10 kilos of weight by consuming 10,000 calories a day.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-62970800 Grantham's Ross Edgley attempts 100-mile non-stop swim in Loch Ness] BBC News, 22 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022 After 52 hours and 39 minutes he was forced to end his swim early, due to the onset of cellulitis and hypothermia and was taken to hospital.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63019781 Grantham's Ross Edgley ends non-stop Loch Ness swim] BBC News, 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022[https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/extreme-adventurer-ross-edgley-hospital-28071794 Extreme adventurer Ross Edgley in hospital after record-breaking Loch Ness swim] Daily Record, 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022 The swim was done in support of Parley for the Oceans (a nonprofit environmental organisation that focuses on ocean conservation), and was not observed by any swimming authority. The route and precise distance are unknown, but Ross remains the only person to survive swimming in a wetsuit in the cold waters of Loch Ness for more than 52 hours.

On 13 July 2023, Edgley was scheduled to attempt another ultra-marathon charity swim in Lake Trasimeno, Italy.{{Cite news |date=14 July 2023 |title=Grantham's Ross Edgely makes second attempt at longest non-stop lake swim |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-66190832 |access-date=26 August 2023}} During this time the Italian Meteorological Society warned of a deadly heatwave hitting the area where temperatures exceeded 45°C (113°F). Dubbed the 'Cerberus heat wave' after the mythical monster that guards the gates of hell{{Cite news |last1=Giuffrida |first1=Angela |last2=Jones |first2=Sam |last3=Smith |first3=Helena |date=10 July 2023 |title=Italy heatwave could push temperatures close to European record |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/10/italy-heatwave-temperatures-european-record-forecast |access-date=26 August 2023 |issn=0261-3077}} the World Meteorological Organisation later confirmed this was the hottest month ever recorded on earth.{{Cite web |date=8 August 2023 |title=July 2023 confirmed as hottest month on record |url=https://wmo.int/media/news/july-2023-confirmed-hottest-month-record |access-date=26 August 2023 |website=public.wmo.int |language=en}} This caused the water temperature to rise above 34°C (93.2°F) which the Federation Internationale De Natation (FINA) states is unsafe for ultra-marathon swims due to heat stroke{{Cite journal |last1=Macaluso |first1=Filippo |last2=Barone |first2=Rosario |last3=Isaacs |first3=Ashwin W. |last4=Farina |first4=Felicia |last5=Morici |first5=Giuseppe |last6=Di Felice |first6=Valentina |date=December 2013 |title=Heat stroke risk for open-water swimmers during long-distance events |journal=Wilderness & Environmental Medicine |volume=24 |issue=4 |pages=362–365 |doi=10.1016/j.wem.2013.04.008 |issn=1545-1534 |pmid=23891244|doi-access=free |hdl=10447/85183 |hdl-access=free }} since the maximum temperature of water for FINA-sanctioned open water swimming competitions is 31°C (87.8°F). This rule follows a study carried out by the University of Otago in New Zealand that was conducted in collaboration with FINA, the International Olympic Committee and the International Triathlon Union today.{{Cite web |last=Munatones |first=Steven |date=17 July 2013 |title=FINA To Fix Maximum Water Temperature At 31°C |url=https://www.openwaterswimming.com/fina-to-fix-maximum-water-temperature/ |access-date=26 August 2023 |website=World Open Water Swimming Association |language=en-US}} Despite the warnings, Edgley still wanted to attempt the swim for his charity partners. After 32 hours and {{convert|107|km|mi}} he was pulled out the water due to heat stroke and hyperthermia.{{Cite web |date=20 July 2023 |title=How Ross Edgley inspires Chris Hemsworth to fitness heroics |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/ross-edgley-chris-hemsworth-interview |access-date=26 August 2023 |website=British GQ |language=en-GB}}

Between 16 and 18 June 2024, Edgley set a new official Guinness World Record for his 510km non-stop swim down the Yukon River in Canada. Swimming between Whitehorse and Dawson City, Edgley was not permitted to stop, sleep or touch the boat as per the rules set by WOWSA (World Open Water Swimming Association). The lowest water temperature recorded was 8°C (46.4°F), which is why to counteract the cold effect of continual immersion in water, he gained 15 kilos of weight{{Cite web |date=2024-07-18 |title=Why Ross Edgley Is Eating 20,000 Calories a Day to Gain Fat for "World's Longest Swim" {{!}} BarBend |url=https://barbend.com/ross-edgley-fat-gain-diet-worlds-longest-swim/ |access-date=2024-09-25 |language=en-US}} by consuming 20,000 calories a day. In addition to the threat of hypothermia, Edgley had to navigate white water rapids, bears and wolves.

On 22 January 2016, Edgley began a marathon ({{convert|26.2|mi}}) around the Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire, pulling a {{convert|1400|kg}} car. The event was dubbed "The World's Strongest Marathon". As part of his training for the event, he went on a special 6,000 calorie plus daily diet and had already done a {{convert|16|mi}} pull with the Mini during training. He completed the marathon endeavor to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust, Children With Cancer, Sports Aid and United Through Sport.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/man-completes-marathon-in-19-hours--pulling-a-1400kg-mini-car/|title=Man completes marathon in 19 hours – pulling a 1,400kg Mini car |newspaper=The Telegraph|date=24 January 2016|access-date=24 February 2020}}

A few months later, on 22 April 2016, Edgley also began his "World’s Longest Rope Climb" conquest at Pippingford Park in the Ashdown Forest of Sussex, in which he completed a rope climb of {{convert|8848|m}}, the exact height of Mount Everest,{{cite web|url=https://rossedgley.com/2016/04/the-worlds-longest-rope-climb/|title=How and Why I'm Attempting The World's Longest Rope Climb (8 8 48m)|publisher=Rossedgley.com|access-date=24 February 2020}} in 19 hours and 54 minutes. The money raised went to the Teenage Cancer Trust.{{cite web|url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/worlds-strongest-rope-climb-ross-edgley|title=What I learnt from climbing a rope repeatedly until I'd scaled the height of Everest|website=GQ|date=28 April 2016|access-date=24 February 2020}}

Other feats to raise money for charity include a {{convert|1000|mi}} barefoot run in a month carrying a {{convert|50|kg}} backpack, an Olympic Distance Triathlon carrying a {{convert|45.4|kg}} tree, swimming over {{convert|62|mi}} across the Caribbean Sea pulling a {{convert|45.4|kg}} tree,{{Cite news|url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/train-for-triathlon|title=How I trained to run a triathlon while carrying a tree|last=Edgley|first=Ross|website=GQ|access-date=14 November 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://metro.co.uk/2017/03/23/meet-ross-edgley-the-real-life-action-man-who-runs-with-trees-tied-to-his-back-6516769/?ito=cbshare|title=Meet Ross Edgley: the real life Action Man who runs with trees tied to his back|last=Larbi|first=Miranda|date=23 March 2017|work=Metro|access-date=4 November 2018}} swimming non-stop for 48 hours at the Commando Training Centre for the Royal Marines, and completing 30 marathons in 30 days.

Edgley has written four books: The World’s Fittest Book (2018), The Art of Resilience: Strategies for an Unbreakable Mind and Body (2020), Blueprint: Build a bulletproof body for extreme adventure in 365 days (2021) and The World’s Fittest Cookbook (2022).

In 2009, Edgley took part in a BBC reality television series where he travelled the world taking on challenges with deadly animals and in hostile locations around the world.{{cn|date= January 2025}}

In 2019, he coached 10 celebrities (who were previously unable to swim) to attempt a 21 mile (34 km) relay across the English Channel to raise money for the charity Stand Up to Cancer. The team consisted of actors, musicians, comedians and Olympic champions and was titled Sink or Swim.{{cite web |title=Celebrity line-up revealed for Channel 4 and Stand up to Cancer's Sink or Swim (w/t) {{!}} Channel 4 |url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/celebrity-line-revealed-channel-4-and-stand-cancers-sink-or-swim-wt |website=www.channel4.com}} Despite failing to complete the swim due to weather conditions (only 5 km from shore), the series was, "a summer hit for Channel 4, averaging around 2 million viewers across its four-episode run" raising thousands for charity.{{Cite web |last= |date=2019-10-10 |title=Sink Or Swim |url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/international/sink-or-swim/5143689.article |access-date=25 August 2023 |website=Broadcast }}

In 2022, Edgley appeared in the National Geographic/Disney+ series Limitless, where he trained actor Chris Hemsworth in a series of athletic adventures designed to push the limits of human performance as his body was tested by experts. In one episode, he coached Hemsworth to complete a 500-metre ice swim across a Nordic Fjord (high above the arctic circle) where the water temperature was recorded at 1 °C (33.8 °F), all on only 7 days training.{{Cite web |last=@NatGeoUK |date=22 November 2022 |title=To uncover the secrets of longevity, Chris Hemsworth put his body on the line |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/science-and-technology/2022/11/to-uncover-the-secrets-of-longevity-chris-hemsworth-put-his-body-on-the-line |access-date=26 August 2023 |website=National Geographic |language=en-gb}} In another episode Edgley taught Hemsworth to climb a rope 100-ft rope (30.5 metres) that was suspended from a cable car 1,000 ft in the Blue Mountains, Australia.{{Cite web |title=Episode 4 - "Strength" |url=https://press.disneyplus.com/disney-plus/limitless-with-chris-hemsworth/4 |access-date=26 August 2023 |website=Disney Plus Press |language=en}}

In 2024, Edgley appeared in the National Geographic/Disney+ documentary, "Shark vs Ross Edgley" where he went head-to-head and competed against four of the ocean’s most formidable sharks in one of the most unique shark-sports science study ever conducted. Over 2 years Edgley completely changed his diet and training in an effort to try and polaris jump out the water like a white shark, swim as fast as a mako shark, eat as much as a tiger shark and endure the same G-force as a hammerhead when hunting. Working with world leading shark experts, Forbes magazine stated, "The special is not just an adrenaline-pumping adventure but also a profound exploration of shark behaviour, biology, and conservation," adding, "Throughout the special, viewers gain a deeper appreciation for the intelligence, curiosity, and grace of these often misunderstood creatures."{{Cite web |last=Bradley |first=Tony |title=Nat Geo SharkFest Changes Fear To Fascination |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonybradley/2024/07/01/nat-geo-shark-fest-changes-fear-to-fascination/ |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=Forbes |language=en}} Gaining global recognition and reaching millions worldwide, Edgley famously coined the term, "Tiger Shark Bulk" during the eating challenge where he ate 30,000 calories and gained 10kg (22lbs) in 24 hours to trying to match the appetite and digestive system of a tiger shark that can consume over 25,000 calories in a single bite. Notably, it was the highest caloric intake recorded over 24 hours at University's School of Sport and Exercise Science at the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine.

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book|last=Edgley |first=Ross |title=The World's Fittest Book |date=2018 |publisher=Sphere |isbn=978-0-7515-7254-4}}
• {{cite book|last=Edgley |first=Ross |date=2020 |title=The Art of Resilience: Strategies for an Unbreakable Mind and Body |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-0-00-835698-9}}
• {{cite book|last=Edgley |first=Ross |date=2022 |title=The World's Fittest Cookbook |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-0-00-846561-2}}

{{commons category}}

• {{official website|https://rossedgley.com/}}
• {{IMDb name|nm3623349}}

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Category:1985 births

Category:Living people

Category:English sportswriters

Category:Alumni of Loughborough University

Category:People from Grantham

Category:World record holders in swimming