大象传媒

But there are some things in life that I think are best left to the experts - like swimming the seven mile stretch between Rathlin and Ballycastle without a wetsuit on.

That's what 19 marathon swimmers from all parts of the UK and Ireland thought was a good idea to do on a very rainy and blustery Saturday afternoon. A safety briefing was held at Rathlin Island's pub, where the brave men and women facing this near impossible task heard about jelly fish stings, extreme currents, hypothermia and sea lice. Just what you want to hear before getting into the sea for, oh, at least three hours!

At 2.20pm the race was on. I was lucky enough to be following the progress from a boat. The weather had turned very nasty and I was being tossed around - but that was nothing compared to the conditions in the water. I could only stare in complete amazement at the determination and stamina of these athletes.

Nineteen people started the race, but only five finished. Amongst them two sisters, Liane and Dee Llewelyn. But there can only be one winner. Gerard Carty emerged victorious on Ballycaslte beach after three hours and four minutes. And he had only one thing on his mind at the finish - a pint. What a guy!