Blind lady attempts open swim challenge

Saturday 18 August 2018

A woman who is totally blind will be attempting to swim between Rousse Pier and Les Ammarreurs today in a challenge to raise money for her swimming club.

Kiri Knight, 31, who has no vision at all, will be guided on her open water swim by veteran Guernsey swimmer, Adrian Sarchet.

The swim will start at Rousse at 12.30 today 18 August and sponsorship forms are available from Rousse Kiosk, Rita’s Salon and Loose Ends salon. The open water distance she is hoping to complete will be a quarter of a mile.

Mr Sarchet met Ms Knight through Guernsey Disability Swimming, of which he is a director. The two have been swimming together every Thursday night for about three years now, and are ready for the challenge.

"Kiri is possibly the most courageous person I have ever met," he said, "It is one thing to take on an open water swim, but it is another thing entirely to do so without the ability to see. Swimming in the sea is very different to swimming in the calm and predictable environment of a pool, but Kiri has taken to it with her customary courage and good humour.

"Kiri is an inspirational example to us all because she refuses to let anything stand between her and the achievement of her goal. Everyone at GDS is incredibly proud of Kiri and we'll all be there on Saturday to cheer her on."

Pictured: Adrian Sarchet who will be guiding Ms Knight.

When Mr Sarchet first met Ms Knight, he said she could swim about 300m in an hour, but now she was swimming over 1km an hour.

She will be kicking off, starting the challenge, at 12:30.