Dad to continue 10-lake swim in Switzerland for son

A father of three from north Devon is getting ready to continue his challenge of swimming 10 of the largest lakes in Switzerland - a distance of more than 300 miles (483km).

If 40-year-old Neil, from Ilfracombe, succeeds, he will be the first person to have completed what is being called the Legends of the Lakes challenge. He swam four of the lakes in 2025 and has the remaining six to complete.

He is raising awareness of the condition Pandas (Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections).

His son, now 10, developed the condition when he was 18 months old. It can cause symptoms including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and tics overnight.

In April, Neil invited local swimmers to join him training at the North Devon Wake Park at Higher Clovelly, to see how he prepares.

Neil told them his secret weapon was breathwork.

He said: "It's been a game changer for me. I try to get myself into a mental state of almost like relaxation."

He added: "I try and be in a meditative state so I try to bring my heart rate down to be relaxed before I start swimming."

Last year, Neil swam across Lake Lugano, Lake Constance, Lake Neuchatel and Lake Biel. The next on the list will be Lake Maggiore, which is 54km (33.6 miles)

He said: "Mentally, it's as hard as it is in a physical challenge. Some of the swims are over 20 hours and I swim through the night. I'm not allowed to touch the boat. I have to tread water when I eat."

He added: "You don't get any buoyancy from the salt. When I do these swims I'm not allowed to wear a wetsuit, so you get absolutely no buoyancy."

Neil is doing the challenge for his son Jack. He said: "Pandas is a misdirected immune response, normally following from tonsillitis, and it's treatable, and that's the key.

"I need to raise awareness so that people know that. It's treatable with antibiotics."

Neil is hoping his months of training will have been enough to swim the final six lakes, so he can be the first person to complete the Legend of the Lakes Challenge.

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