TWO swimmers from Bridgwater visited Holsworthy Leisure Centre on Monday as part of their Oceans 7 challenge — they hope to make history by becoming the first to swim for 12 hours a day for seven days.

From November 21 to 27, Rich Hill and Greg Kyd, will visit six swimming pools run by leisure providers 1610 across the South West over the course of the Ocean’s 7 event to raise funds for charity.

They swam at Holsworthy Leisure Centre from 9am to 9pm.

It is the first time a sponsored swimming challenge like this has been attempted and the boys were well supported by local communities and 1610 as they took on the 231km challenge.

They have been preparing for it by training for 12 to15 hours a week, increasing to 40 hours a week as the event drew nearer.

By the time they have completed the challenge tomorrow (Friday) they will have swam the equivalent distance of the English Channel seven times.

Greg and Rich are no strangers to competitive swimming — they competed in the British Swimming Championships last year, both achieving top five finishes, and Rich medalling in two events.

Greg chose to prioritise this challenge after qualifying to swim at the World Championships in Russia this year. Greg and Rich have previously completed a 36-hour sponsored swim challenge together, the Stupid Swim, in May 2013.

Local swimmers, clubs, colleges and schools were encouraged to swim alongside them offering support and getting involved by trying to complete their own personal challenges.

Greg said local support would be crucial in completing the challenge: “There has been a decline in swimming numbers in the UK and if we could get more people involved in swimming as well as raising money that would mean that the event is a real success.”

All the money raised through sponsorships and donations will go to two charities — the Ichthyosis charity, a group which help support people with a rare skin disorder, and 1610’s chosen charity of the year, Wooden Spoon.

Keep up to date with Greg and Rich’s progress by following them on Twitter @oceans7swim or visit the 1610 facebook page www.facebook.com/oceans7swim

To support their fundraising visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/oceans7