Clare Griffin is aiming to swim 33.3 km off the coast of Montenegro between 3rd and 6th October 2025. Not only is she swimming this colossal distance, but she is raising funds for West Wight Sports and Community Centre, hoping to top at least £3,333.
33.3 is the iconic distance across the English Channel. The Ultra Swim 33.3 event in the Adriatic marks the 150th anniversary of Captain Matthew Webb first swimming across the Channel. Clare will re-enact this feat but with slightly less challenges. She will swim the distance spread over three days, the longest of which will be over 10km.
Griffin: I am feeling confident
Clare says,
“The 10km section will be tough. It will take me around 4 hours of continuous swimming. But my training has been going well, and I am swimming up to 7km in training sessions now as well as several sea swims a week and strength and conditioning in the gym. So, I am feeling confident!”
Clare’s dedication to West Wight Sports and Community Centre spans decades. She has been involved with West Wight Sports and Community Centre since day one and the tap was turned on by Lord Mountbatten.
Inspired by Shirley Miles and Ron Smith
Clare recalls,
“I was a member of West Wight Swimming Club and enjoyed competing in my teens and early 20s. Now 40 years later I am chairman of West Wight Swimming Club. The club built the pool – they literally dug the hole, pretty much with their bare hands, and went on to form a legal body to take on the management.
“The determination and grit of those people such as Shirley Miles and Ron Smith who set out to build a pool so that the children of West Wight could learn to swim safely never ceases to inspire me.”
A hub for the West Wight community
Having managed the Centre for most of her working life, Clare has witnessed its evolution from a single pool into a vibrant hub for health, sport, and community support in the West Wight area.
Clare says,
“West Wight Sports and Community Centre has become a hub for the West Wight community.
“We now support a vast cross section of our people with so many things – not just swimming or even sports.
“We employ a Community Connector, who alongside our team, support anyone who is going through life challenges. This may be homelessness, debt, mental or physical illness, bereavement, isolation or any other situation where they are feeling vulnerable and alone.”
The support the Centre provides is on a day-to-day basis and often very informal. Whilst some support requires a more formal approach, one of things that sets WWSCC apart from other sports centres is the friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
Griffin: Cafe is the hub of the Centre
Clare added,
“Our cafe is the hub of the Centre. There’s always a group having a coffee or lunch after a game of pickleball or a class.
“Sport and physical activity create bonds between people and the opportunity to meet and chat afterwards is a crucial part of the process of improving or maintaining both physical and mental health.”
Griffin: We’re going to be looking for funders and supporters
Having dedicated a large chunk of her life to West Wight Sports and Community Centre, Clare wants to ensure the facility continues for future generations. She said,
“In three years time, it will be 50 years since that day when the water was turned on. The pool remains in good working order and is well maintained. However, one thing is sure – it’s unlikely to be so in another 50 years!
“So, the team here are now working on how to ensure that we can continue to provide swimming and other services for at least another 50 years.
“We’re looking at a possible re-build or major refurbishment and we know it’s going to require substantial investment. We’re going to be looking for funders and supporters to help with this project and it is going to be a significant challenge.”
Show your support
If you’d like to support Clare in her fund raising you can sponsor her via TotalGiving™ – Ultra swim 33.3 Montenegro.
News shared by Emily on behalf of West Wight Sports and Community Centre. Ed
