Welcome Andy Donaldson – Red’s new Global Swimming Ambassador

Ultra-marathon swimmer Andy Donaldson has swum the world’s toughest channel crossings, completing the Oceans Seven in under a year, and is about to embark on the incredible Epic Swim Maui. Red’s new Global Swimming Ambassador tells us more about that and the emerging open-water challenges of ‘expedition swimming’…

Tell us a bit about yourself...

Hey guys, I’m Andy Donaldson, a professional marathon swimmer and Red Equipment ambassador from Scotland who is passionate about open water, adventure, and helping others.

Last year, I had the honour of becoming the first person to complete the Oceans Seven, the world's seven toughest channel swims, within a year, setting records in iconic swims like the English Channel and Cook Strait as part of the process.

Navigating this challenge was an incredible experience shared with amazing people and through the journey, it was amazing to do it for a great cause: raising money and awareness for mental health.

Looking ahead, I'd love to continue taking on swim challenges and using my sport to advocate for causes close to my heart such as mental health and ocean health, helping to contribute to positive change in the world.

Tell us more about 'Expedition Swimming'?

Expedition swimming is an adventurous style of open water swimming focused on journeying from one point to another, often along routes not often swum before. These swims can span several days or weeks and be broken down into stages, involving stopping and restarting from the same point.

Unlike competitive open water swimming, expedition swimming is more about the experience and the journey rather than speed or records. It’s about immersing yourself in nature, exploring new waterways, and embracing the beauty and challenge of the open water. Whether in oceans, lakes, or rivers, expedition swimming usually involves a team or partners for safety and camaraderie.

Also, like other swim challenges, expedition swimming is often done to support important causes. Swimmers might take on these adventures to raise awareness and funds for issues like mental health or ocean conservation, adding purpose and motivation to their journey.

So how did Epic Swim Maui come about?

In July 2023, while I was in Los Angeles prepping for the second last swim of my Oceans Seven challenge, I received a message from a local Hawaiian named Robby Seeger who wanted to share an idea with me.

On Zoom, Robby explained that he was organising a world-first attempt to swim around the island of Maui in Hawaii and that he wanted to gather some of world’s best ocean swimmers to do this challenge with the primary goal being to create a powerful call to action for ocean health.

Robby told me they had already secured some amazing science partners on board, and that the whole challenge was being filmed for a documentary highlighting the swim and elevating the stories of local indigenous leaders on issues like ocean health and microplastics pollution. To top it all off, the event had been approved as an official project of the UN Ocean Decade.

When I heard all this, I knew I had to be part of it… I was sold straight away! I agreed and I've been working closely with Robby and his team ever since. Fast forward to now, myself and athletes from 10 different countries across 6 continents are all here in Maui, ready to start this challenge in only a few days. It's going to be amazing, and I can't wait to see what we achieve together.

"For me, this event is more than just an incredibly demanding swim challenge; it’s a valuable opportunity to connect with passionate athletes and advocates, all united by a crucial cause—the health of our oceans. Celebrating and honouring Hawaiian water culture while engaging in this journey is the privilege of a lifetime, and I can’t wait to dive in and contribute my efforts to this incredible endeavor."

—@andy.swimming 🙌

Are you excited about your partnership with Red?

I'm incredibly excited about my partnership with Red Equipment. As someone who loves the outdoors and spends a lot of time in the water, their products perfectly match my lifestyle and help me stay focused on my swimming.

I think most importantly, Red Equipment shares my values around ocean health and sustainability, and it’s reflected in their eco-friendly products and their B-Corp certification. Their commitment to these causes, alongside their professional and friendly team, has made this partnership truly enjoyable.

Follow Andy Donaldson on Instagram and TikTok @andy.swimming – and find more about his next big expedition swimming challenge via Epic SwimMaui.

All image credits to Andy and Epic Swim