Neil Agius sets new marathon challenge: Seven days, seven swims around Gozo

Athlete, world-record breaker, and environmental activist Neil Agius is ready to dive back in to a new challenge with an attempt to swim around Gozo seven times on seven consecutive days. 

Agius will be swimming the distance of a full marathon, 42km, every day for seven days in his new challenge, named The Gozo 7. He calculates that he will swim an average of 13 to 15 hours per day.

This means it is estimated he will swim 294km in a week.

The mammoth challenge will take place between 31 August and 6 September. Each day will have a new starting point. For example his first swim will start at Ramla to Hondoq and on the second day, he will start at Hondoq, and swim to Mġarr ix-Xini. 

Neil Agius will swim the equivalent of a marathon every day for seven days.

The former Olympian and endurance swimmer announced his next big swimming challenge during a press launch on Tuesday morning.

Agius said Gozo has a special place in his heart, as it is the location of his first swimming world record in 2021, when he swam from Linosa to Malta for a distance of 125.7km and finished in Xlendi, Gozo.

"This swim is to push the limit of human capacity, to truly understand what the mind and body experiences when I truly push myself to the limit and beyond," Agius said.  "I also wish to shed light on the true beauty of Gozo, this special, tiny island in our Mediterranean Sea."

Last year, he set a new swimming record with a 140-km nonstop swim around Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Hundreds of people welcomed him as he reached Għar Lapsi, watching him emerge from the water after swimming for 52 hours non-stop.

In 2023, the Olympian swimmer had to abandon a swim after being stung repeatedly by swarms of jellyfish. 

An exhausted Neil Agius after his world record swim in 2024. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Despite battling extreme conditions and hypothermia, less than a year later, Agius is once again ready to conquer yet another huge challenge. 

Unlike previous swims, Agius said the Gozo 7 swim is not about breaking new records, but is a new learning experience for himself and his followers. 

"Each day, I will be pushing myself out of my comfort zone; it will be super intense, but it's about setting the right mindset," he explained. "A world record is good for Neil Agius' record, but it does very little for Neil's wellbeing. Instead, we are curious to see how my body reacts to this physical challenge, how it reacts both emotionally and physically."

Unlike previous swims, each day, a science team will be closely examining Agius and will carry out a series of tests and evaluations to track his body and mind's response to extreme stress and recovery. The team will carry out assessments to monitor his physical exhaustion, cognitive function and emotional well-being.

Neil Agius announcing his latest swim. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Agius said a study paper will be published following the swim, once all the data is analysed. 

"I have this ability to swim for so many hours and I am ready to put myself through this to gather information which is useful for everyone," he said.

"The fact I can do this for science, to learn more about the body and mind on levels that we never tested before, it's a win. I'll be learning more about myself, but also what I learn will be provided to others."

Along with his 18-man team, unlike previous challenges, Agius will be out at sea during the day and will rest in the evening on land. Yet he will still be sticking to standards of a world record swim. 

"I won't be touching the rib, I won't be resting or sleeping nor stepping on the boat."

Neil's swim is supported by partners GO, VisitMalta, VisitGozo, Kia, Maypole, Rise Physio, Bon Charge, BodyWorks and Dr Juice.