WATCH: 30 bays in one day

Wednesday 24 July 2019

A local woman decided to take on the annual Les Bourgs Hospice swimming challenge, 30 bays in 30 days, with an extreme difference.

Ruth Hurst, 22, swam across 30 of the island's best swimming spots in one day as her take on the challenge, and created a mesmerising film about Guernsey's coastline in the process.

The swimming challenge which has been running in the island now for several years attracts thousands in an effort to raise money for the hospice' general running costs. 

Ms Hurst, who is a designer, already has a series of YouTube videos on her channel filmed using a Go Pro camera and drones. Her latest film follows herself and friends around some famous and lesser known bays on a perfect summer's day (watch her film below).

This year was Ms Hurst's first time taking part in the challenge and said her decision to up the ante was fuelled by a love of the local beaches and peer pressure. 

"I started on day one down at Vazon but me being me I decided I couldn't wait for the next day and bay so I came up with a plan to see if I could do it all in one day.

"I mentioned it to a few people about my crazy challenge and they thought I was mental saying it couldn't be achieved so that also fuelled my decision to take on the challenge!" she said.

Pictured: Ruth Hurst and friends on the day of the challenge. 

"I'd have to say getting warm in between bays was the hardest part, once you're in its fine but because you're not swimming long enough to really adjust it's those inbetween stages which you start to feel the temperature change, fortunately we did it on a really nice warm day," she added.

It took Ms Hurst and friends just over 11 hours to complete their challenge which took them from Albecq anti-clockwise round to Cobo. 

"Experiencing new beaches which I wouldn't necessarily visit otherwise was my favourite part, La Jaonnet was a beautiful surprise! The walk was challenging but you were rewarded with a beautiful crystal clear bay," she said.