This June, a team of intrepid swimmers from the Royal College of Defence Studies, will be taking on the ultimate swim endurance test - a 24 hour open water swim relay. We’ll be donning our goggles for Level Water, the incredible charity that gets disabled kids into the water, to build their swim skills and increase their confidence all round.

Our team of water babies will be undertaking the challenge at the beautiful Shepperton Open Water Swim in South West London, taking it in turns to swim round the lake from 12pm on 11 June to 12pm on 12 June. Between us we’ll represent our home institutions - the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the RAF, the British Army, the Australian Army, the Department of International Trade and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. Various swim speeds, styles and sartorial choices will also be seen among us! Wish us luck as we snap on a tow float, tie on a torch and take the plunge….

Here’s more about Level Water. “Holding your breath. The echoes of laughter. The wet hair. The lifted spirits. The joy of gliding through water. The smile that lasts all day.Swimming is like nothing else. The skills you develop, the confidence you build and the joys you feel are all universal. Yet access to swimming in the UK is not. Level Water use the power of swimming to improve lives for children with disabilities. Everyone should have the opportunity to learn to swim and fall in love with the water.”