My Story

In early July 2022 former WO2 PTI Paul Wood (Woody) and swimming partner Neil Aggett (Aggy), both from Torbay, will be attempting to do an epic 30 mile sea swim challenge along the south west coast of Devon.

“Starting 15 miles from the home of the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone, we will be attempting to swim from Sidmouth to Broadsands in Torbay – a distance of 30 miles. But this time only 99.99% need not to apply. As our famous moto says Per Mare, Per Terram. By Sea, By Land.

Inspired to raise funds for Royal Marines Association and the Royal Marines Commando 80 Challenge. Our challenge will also be raising awareness of the Royal Marines Association ‘Lift the Lid’ campaign, a fantastic and essential service that aims to help all serving and former Royal Marines with their mental health. In tandem, we will also be promoting the ‘Stop Drowning’ campaign, a movement run by the Above Water charity, which promotes and educates the public on water safety in our sea and internal waterways throughout the UK. With proven mental health benefits of open water swimming, the alignment is a natural one.

The cumulation of the 30 week Commando basic training is the 4 Commando Tests - the 9 mile speed march, the Endurance Course, the Tarzan Assault Course and the gruelling 30 miler. We have taken the most enduring basic military train test in the world, The Commando 30 miler, and flipped it from Per Terram to Per Mare. This challenge could take us up to 24hrs of nonstop swimming, just stopping to refuel.

Not only will this be an extremely physical challenge but also a mental one.

The Commando's famous motto is, It's a State of Mind.