Marathon Swim for Ocean Plastic Recovery

Let's help Żibel recycle the plastic they remove from Malta's coastline!

Bec Community June 29, 2024 at 6:47 pm
  • Description
  • Updates
  • FAQ
  • Backers

Project Description

Welcome! For those who don’t know me, I’m a Professor of International Law at American University, Mama of four fabulous elementary school-aged kids and … I have no background in any sport whatsoever (!). Nonetheless, I am passionate about the health of our ocean and so in mid-July, I hope to complete my first marathon swim to raise enough funds to help buy an ocean plastics recycling machine for a local civil society organization called Żibel here in Malta.

Per the international rules of the Marathon Swimming Federation, a marathon swim is one that is over 10km and must be completed “remaining in the water for the entire duration of the swim from start to finish without intentional physical contact with escort vessels, support personnel, or other objects.” I’ll be trying to swim from Switzerland to France across Lake Geneva. If I manage to swim straight it should be a distance of 13km/8.1 miles (you can think of it like swimming to Alcatraz and back again two times, or doing 260 non-stop laps of an Olympic Pool) and I need to make the crossing inside 7 hours.

I have so many people to thank for helping me make it to the starting line on this project.

First and always – Ben Batros – for embracing my impossible ideas, and for jumping in with the practical support to help make them happen – especially the many early mornings spent getting the kids ready for school while I was training. And our kids, for coming up with the funding level concept and research – as well as the never-ending inspiration to sustain our ocean for their generation and beyond.

Ann Browett, for introducing me to the concept of open water distance swimming. Karen Markin, open water swim coach and the most inspiring 60 year old I know – who kayaked beside me on my first ocean swim (what was, at the time, an unimaginably lengthy 3km) from Paihia to Kororāreka during Covid, and who has supported my growing passion for open water swimming with virtual coaching across timezones ever since.

Coach Monique Mangion for her signature blend warmth and brusque during every early morning squad, as well as Coach Warren, Amin, and the entire Neptunes Swimming Club crew for being our family’s second home in Malta. Javier, for welcoming me into the club of Maltese open water swim enthusiasts to explore the local waters with. Liss, Bec, Pam, Hillary, Kate, Matt, and the full trans-Tasman whānau for cheering on every additional mile of progress. Kirst for suggesting Lake Geneva in the first place. Gibbo for housing. And Naomi for volunteering (incredibly, across the Atlantic) to be my support crew.

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Updates

Latest Update! Update #5 - Track my swim live - https://www.geotracks.co.uk/live/2765

Update #1: Working on Technique

See video: https://vimeo.com/973021925/66bc9d0b69

Update #2: First "half Geneva" (7km/4.4 miles)

I did 7km for the first time on Sunday April 14, with the best possible cheer squad to greet me at the end. (Soon after this I had to move into the ocean, since there's only so many hours you can take a pool lane for). See video: https://vimeo.com/973023386/fbf39c899f

Update #3: Moving into the ocean

Update #4: Acclimatization swim (Lake Geneva much colder than Malta!)

Project FAQ

Why fundraise for Żibel?

In 2017, the Maltese non-governmental organisation, Żibel (it means "trash" or "rubbish"), mobilised large numbers of volunteers to join forces and clean up trash, amounting to 150,000 kgs/160 tons and counting, from the coastline. Until now, they have been storing the ocean plastics they collect because they cannot be recycled with domestic waste, and they don't want to clear plastic from the ocean only to dump it in a landfill. However, they are now two-thirds of the way towards their goal of being able to recycle ocean plastics here in Malta and setting up Żibel Studio as a creative hub where recycled plastics can become part of a circular economy. Żibel aims to form a hub in Malta to provide the opportunity to other NGOs and Mediterranean communities to recycle marine plastics and combat the plastic problem. I hope that with your support, my first attempt at a marathon swim can help Żibel reach their goal.
 
Why a Maltese NGO? 

Our family has had the extraordinary opportunity of spending this semester in Malta for my sabbatical. I have been based with a very special team of people at the Islands and Small States Institute at L-Università ta' Malta - Stefano, Pedro, Charles, Lino, Godianne - grazzi ħafna! While looking for volunteering opportunities here with the kids, I encountered Żibel's inspiring work.

Will all of my donation go to Żibel? 

95 percent of what you donate goes directly into Żibel's bank account. The other 5 percent goes to Zaar, another fantastic Maltese organization, based out of L-Università ta' Malta, which works to support crowdfunding for accredited Maltese NGOs.

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