I am a lover of endurance. I chase the pain, the feeling of hitting and surpassing my limits, and over time have developed a very healthy love and admiration of anyone doing the same — whether it's over mountains, across continents or over seas. And with that in mind, I want to share stories of those I admire doing truly epic stuff, and pushing the real limits of what we all think is possible.
Ross Edgley is the man!
Well Ross Edgley, endurance athlete, non-stop smiley man and all-around legend, just completed a jaw-dropping swim around the wild, icy coast of Iceland. Yes, you read that right — he swam the whole way, braving freezing waters, unpredictable weather, and the kind of physical and mental challenges most of us can barely imagine.
This feat feels a very different type of thing to running over mountains, and being an endurance swimmer (yes, I do that too) I get it — but still struggle to comprehend the depths he had to go to make this happen.
Imagine being head down in the water for 12 hours a day, with only moments to roll your body to take a breath and eyeball the white wave crests rolling for miles, before promptly going back to the icy darkness of the ocean.
This kind of pursuit is deeply personal, it has to be — you go somewhere deep inside yourself where the only thing you can see for most of it is 2 black holes through your googles. Yes Ross is massive, his back muscles look like the mountain ranges I run, but so much of this is mental — most people can't even imagine starting this, let alone finishing it!
In short, this is another level of 'epic-ness'.
The Stats
Writing these down makes me realise how far this was, and how hard he pushed it.
- Total Distance: 1,000 miles (1,610 km)
- Days in the Water: 116 days
- Average Distance per Day: 8.6 miles (14 km)
- Time in Water per Day: Up to 12 hours (split into two 6-hour swims)
That’s the equivalent of swimming a marathon every day, in water cold enough to make your bones ache.
Why Iceland?
Iceland’s coastline is as beautiful as it is brutal. Think volcanic cliffs, glacial rivers, and water temperatures that make your toes curl just thinking about them. For Ross, it wasn’t just about the distance — it was about pushing human limits, raising awareness for ocean conservation, and inspiring others to chase their own wild goals.
Lessons from the Edge
Ross’s journey is more than an epic adventure — it’s a masterclass in resilience. Here’s what we can all take away:
- Preparation is everything. Ross spent months training, planning, and testing his gear. He knew now to take this lightly.
- Patience: Real achievement take time, don't rush, don't feel you 'need' to do something quickly. Slow down, think and aim BiG! The, do...
- Recovery matters. Every night, he focused on healing — body and mind. That’s where the real gains happen.
- Community fuels you. Ross’s support team, fans, and fellow athletes cheered him on every stroke of the way.
Chafing is real!
One thing that was evident is that chafing from his wetsuit was real — very real! He ended up with deep lacerations from all the friction. This is next level!
He absolutely used some form of lubrication, but it only worked to a point. This was his daily pain - this was his painbox.
What’s Next?
Ross is already dreaming up his next challenge. In the meantime, he’s sharing his story to inspire others to get active, look after their bodies, and never underestimate the power of a good foot cream.
I would suggest you go and check out his Instagram page and X page for some unreal shots of him swimming to get an idea as to what he just did, and you can check this video below too.
Let this inspire you to run, swim, cycle, walk, crawl, paddle — whatever your weapon of choice, just get out, push your body, drive your mind, cos you can do more — always!
Go Get It!
Here are some videos from Youtube you might like to watch!
