by The former Flanker of Glasgow Warriors and Rugby of Edinburgh Iain Sinclair combined with Scottish canals in the hope of becoming the first person to swim the entire length of the Caledonian canal.
The 48 -year -old man aims to tackle and overcome the 60 miles of the canal, including 29 locks, from September 15 and finish the challenge within 10 days.
He sensitizes three charity organizations that have a personal meaning: Crohn’s & colitis UK, British Heart Foundation and Mealth Health Charity Mikeysline.
Sinclair said: “After some research, I discovered that no one had ever swaming the entire length of the Caledonian canal, from the sea to the sea through the Highlands of Scotland.
“It’s long, cold water and logistically quite delicate.
“Swimming has always been the most difficult part of triathlon for me, heavy rugby legs and the nickname” well “say everything, so everything that involved swimming would be by default, a challenge.
“I thought it could be fun to build a small team and create our own little story, perhaps inspire others and collect funds for large causes close to us in the process.”
He was faced with important health challenges. Diagnosed with an indefinite colitis, an inflammatory intestine disease, he underwent major surgery that changed his life in 2013 to eliminate his colon and another operation to reverse the stoma and form an internal pocket using his remaining small intestine.
Two years later, determined not to be defined by the disease, he finished an Ironman triathlon alongside his friend Colin Maguire, raising funds for Crohn’s & colitis UK in the process.
In 2024, Maguire died of a sudden heart attack – and Sinclair also lost Jenny Hastings, the wife of his friend and former teammate of Watsonians and Edinburgh, Scott Hastings.
He collects funds for the British Heart Foundation and Mikeysline in their memory.
Claire Maguire, wife of Colin, in support of Sinclair, said: “It means the world for me and my boys that Aain takes up this free water challenge in memory of Colin and other special friends.
“The challenge of Iain will increase the vital funds of the British Heart Foundation, a cause very close to my heart.”
Former teammate Scott Hastings also supports Sinclair, who said: “It is with a huge admiration that Aain embarks on this incredible challenge in my wife Jenny.
“I am delighted that Aain has chosen the charity of mental health, Mikeysline, one of the three advantageous charities of this revolutionary challenge.
“I can’t wait to be part of Iain’s support team when he took this incredible feat.”
Sinclair continued: “I am really humiliated to have the support and contribution of a central group of extremely experienced and capable people, as well as the incredible support of our partners in Scottish Canals.
“Experts in fitness and security to friends, mentors and family, this has been a shared effort from the start.
“I am particularly grateful for the support of my wife and our three children, those that I hope proud above all.
“We are going to give everything we have.”
