Sometimes travel isn’t about the things you see and the people you meet. Sometimes it’s about the difference you make to the person inside. Sean Conway was the first person to swim round the coast of Britain from Land’s End to John O’Groats. His is a travel history built from personal challenge, and he spoke to us about it recently.
What was the initial inspiration to start adventuring?
I spent my 20s following a path where my decisions were, for the most part, based on the financial outcome rather than my happiness or creativity. When I turned 30 I realised I was depressed and needed to make a change. I sold my business for £1 and then decided to take some time out. That’s when I thought to cycle around the world.
I couldn’t afford it so to try and fund it I needed to find sponsors. I decided to go for the world record to try and push myself. I thought if I could do that I’d get my confidence back.
That was my first proper adventure. I’d been lucky enough to have done some travelling before but that was more of a holiday. I also climbed Kilimanjaro dressed as a penguin which was quite adventurous… and a lot of fun.
What was the best experience you ever had? And what was the worst?
Best experience of my life would be swimming with phosphorescence in the Irish Sea. I had no idea they were in such huge number in the UK. I thought you only got them in Thailand. Millions of sparkles would come off the end of my fingertips with each stroke. Each kick created an explosion of light. It was magical.
The worst experience was getting run over in America while attempting my round the world cycle record attempt. That was hard – both physically and mentally. I had given up a lot for that race and it was all taken away from me in one fell swoop by a reckless driver. Getting back on the proverbial horse has been hard and completing the swim has certainly helped.
What was the most useful bit of kit you have ever taken with you, and what was the most useless?
I hate to say it but my iPhone (other smart phones are available). I love sharing my adventure and you can pretty much do everything on a phone nowadays from writing blogs, social media and videos. It’s all there. The thing I always take but NEVER use and then regret it is my tripod for shooting videos on adventure. It’s very heavy and I drag it everywhere and never use it. I then get home, look through all the footage and wish I had. So I then take it on the next adventure and the same thing happens.
What was the best bit of advice you were ever given – and did you take it?
Nick Sanders was the fastest person to cycle around the world in the 80s. He said to me, “Sean, records get broken or forgotten and today’s news is tomorrow’s trash. The only thing you really get to keep are the memories and even they fade. Make sure you document your adventures as much as possible.”
I did kind of listen but it seems to be the one regret I have after each adventure. I always wish I had taken more photos and videos.
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