Watch: Neil Agius completes his Gozo 7 challenge
Over the course of the week, Agius swam a total of 294km
Ultra-athlete Neil Agius completed his latest challenge by swimming around Gozo seven times in one week.
On Saturday night, Agius ended his gruelling challenge at Marsalforn after seven consecutive days of swimming the full loop around Gozo - a distance of 42km. Over the course of the week, he swam a total of 294km.
On Saturday evening, Agius, 39, was greeted by a crowd cheering him on as he arrived at the Otters Club in Marsalforn Bay at the completion of the feat called 'Gozo 7'.
As he walked to a chair some metres from the sea, several in the crowd hugged or shook the ultra-swimmer's hand as supporters chanted “Neil, Neil, Neil”.
In a short speech, Agius said: “This has been an incredible experience to swim around Gozo seven days in a row. I connected so much with the ocean, I connected so much with the cliffs... Gozo is an extremely special place,” he said.
Agius thanked his team for supporting his challenge.
Ahead of the challenge, Agius outlined a set of rules he would follow: no wetsuits, flotation devices, or contact with the accompanying boat. He would wear only a swimsuit, cap, and goggles.
He would not rest on any surface while eating. Instead, food would be passed to him using a stick with a Tupperware container attached, while liquids would be thrown to him on ropes to ensure he kept a safe distance from the boat.
Each swim began at a different point on the island. On the first day, Agius swam from Ramla to Ħondoq. On the second, he began at Ħondoq and finished at Mġarr ix-Xini.
Last year, Agius completed a 140km non-stop swim around Malta, Gozo, and Comino, swimming for 52 hours.
The Gozo 7 is supported by partners GO, VisitMalta, VisitGozo, Kia, Maypole, Rise Physio, Bon Charge, BodyWorks, Saraccinos, Gozo General Hospital, RLR Yachting, MOVE Exercise and Medicine Centre, Strand Marine, Body Works Malta and Dr Juice.