Blind man set for huge Lake District cold water swim

An inspiring blind Leeds man has spoken of the benefits of cold water swimming to his mental health as he gets ready to take on a mammoth challenge.

- by Charles Gray

Paul Davis, 51, from Chapel Allerton, will swim for three hours straight in open water when he takes part in the British Long Distance Swimming Association's Swim to the Sunset event at Coniston Water in the Lake District on June 28.

Mr Davis has been blind from birth and started open water swimming regularly around Leeds last year. Like many others he soon found that it offered significant physical health benefits and improved his emotional wellbeing.

Mr Davis is no stranger to the water though. When he was growing up in Bristol he became a keen swimmer at the age of seven while at a school for the visually impaired.

In 1990, when he was 16, Mr Davis represented Britain at the World Championships and won gold in the 400 metre freestyle and three silver medals in relay, backstroke and breaststroke.