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Ultra-marathon swimmer Andrew Truscott has been making waves in the world of endurance sport for a number of years - but he hit the headlines this week by becoming the first person to complete a double non-stop round Jersey swim.
It was a twenty-two hour challenge that saw him cover almost 80 miles – reportedly the world’s fifth longest tidal swim anyone has ever achieved. Andy was also the first person to swim from the Minquiers to Jersey, and to complete a Jersey-to-France-to-Jersey swim. And, of course, he’s also notched up an English Channel crossing.
As a keen swimmer, he’s also an avid environmentalist, and has helped raise money for, and the profile of, a number of charities. By day he’s an estate agent, and now he's taking on the role of 'island improver' by sharing with Express the five things he would change about Jersey…
More local regulation of estate agents and transparency in the housing market are real bees in my bonnet. Buying a house is probably the biggest financial responsibility most people will take on. They need to be able trust the people they’re dealing with, and be able to complain if they’re unhappy. Unlike the UK, where the Estate Agents Act 1979, gives legal protection and puts responsibilities on agents, there’s nothing similar in Jersey. There are associations which some agencies belong to and whose Rules of Conduct and Code of Practice they then have to abide by, but joining an association isn’t compulsory. The public deserves better.
Pictured: Andy says Jersey needs a 50m outdoor seawater pool so serious athletes can train.
There are some wonderful indoor pools in the island for swimmers to train, but what we really need is a 50m outdoor pool - one that’s filled twice a day by the sea and isn’t chlorinated. A bit like Havre des Pas, but with lanes in place so people can train safely, away from fun swimmers and those just wanting to take a dip. It’s often difficult timing training around tide times, and in places like St Brelade it can be dangerous dodging speedboats. You see these types of pools all over the world – even Guernsey has one. Maybe it could be built at Quaisne.
Pictured: Andy would like to see more recognition for the island's minority sports athletes.
Jersey punches way above its size when it comes to sea swimming. My swims and two-way non-stop Channel crossings by Wendy Trehou and Sally Minty-Gravett have made headlines around the world. Club members have tackled swims around the globe and increasing numbers of top swimmers are coming here to challenge themselves, yet, you rarely get to hear about it. It’s football and rugby that dominate the headlines locally, and that seem to pick up all the awards. Other sports have their stars – it’s time they shone too. Will it be the same old names from the same old sports that are nominated again this year?
Not only should minority sports grab more of the headlines, they need more financial support. Once again it’s the traditional sports getting most of the cash. The States needs to re-think where it spends its money. My recent swim cost me £4,000, and I didn’t get any support. Yet, thanks to social media, it’s being talked about all over the place. It’s put Jersey on the map, and already there’s been an upsurge in people enquiring about coming to swim here. Surely that’s worth investing in. The same goes for supporting others in minority or fringe sports. We need to get away from the same old same. Many good sportsmen and women are being held back from a lack of support.
Pictured: Andy would like to see us all do our little bit to change Jersey by going plastic free.
Plastic has its place – but that’s not cluttering up our seas! Jersey is far from the worst place in the world, but over the years I’ve seen more and more plastic in local waters. We’ve got to get things under control before it’s too late. We can all do our bit to help no matter how small or insignificant it might seem. I’d encourage everyone to support Plastic Free Jersey. It’d be great to see Jersey officially recognised as a Plastic Free Island.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and not those of Bailiwick Express.
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