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Lap Legends: 24 Hours, 50km, and One Incredible Cause

Over the weekend, Jo Clews (PHSG PE Teacher) and her husband, along with five of their wonderful friends, took on an extraordinary challenge: a 24-hour relay swim in a lake in Worcester, all in support of the charity Level Water.

Level Water provides swimming lessons for children with disabilities, helping them gain confidence, freedom, and joy through the power of water. Each lesson costs just £15, but the impact is immeasurable — offering not only physical benefits but also mental and emotional wellbeing. As Jo puts it, “For anyone who has done any form of cold water swimming, you know it is both physical and mental therapy!”

The Challenge

The team swam in one-hour shifts over the course of 24 hours, with some swimmers completing three hours and others four. Though the event wasn’t officially competitive, this spirited group couldn’t resist turning it into a friendly contest — racing to swim the most laps and raise the most money!

Here are some impressive stats from the weekend:

  • One lap = approx. 320m
  • Total team laps = 159
  • Total team distance = approx. 50km

Jo’s personal swim schedule:

  • 2–3pm: 7 laps
  • 9–10pm: 6 laps
  • 4–5am: 5 laps
  • 11–12noon: 7 laps
  • Total: 25 laps (approx. 8km)

Her husband matched her lap-for-lap — a relief, as Jo joked, “There might have been a divorce if he’d beaten me!”

The most laps in a single hour? A whopping 10, achieved by a 21-year-old competitive swimmer — not one of the Clews family, but certainly an inspiration!

The Experience

Despite the exhaustion and lack of sleep, Jo describes the experience as 

“incredible” and “something I highly recommend in case anyone else is keen!” 

The team’s dedication and camaraderie made the event unforgettable, and their efforts will help many children access life-changing swimming lessons.

Support the Cause

If you’d like to support Jo and her team’s fundraising efforts, donations can be made via their JustGiving page:
👉 Donate here

Thank you to Jo and her team for their inspiring commitment to making a difference — one lap at a time!