Epic swim from Linosa ends in Gozo. Raising awareness of plastics pollution of the seas. Intrepid swimmer Neil Agius swam into the world's record books on Wednesday evening as he completed an epic non-stop swim from Linosa to Gozo, a record of 125.6km completed in just over 52 hours. The anti-pollution activist was escorted by a small flotilla of boats as Gozo came into view in fast-gathering darkness and it was 10pm when he swam past the towering cliffs into Xlendi Bay amid a cacophony of boat horns, whistles, wild cheering and applause by supporters, friends and onlookers. The 35-year-old former Olympian beat the previous world record for the longest continuous, unassisted, current-neutral swim along a single-segment natural route in an ocean, sea or bay, which was set at 124.4km. The original plan was for Agius to end his swim in Malta, but the course of the route had to be moved further north due to opposing currents. The record swim was held as part of a campaign to raise awareness of plastic waste in the sea. People were urged to support him by getting involved in the ‘Double the Wave’ challenge. “If Neil can swim for two nights and two days, no stopping, no getting out of the water WE CAN ALL pick up six pieces of plastic and do a few reps of exercise,” his team said. This can be done by: • picking up six pieces of plastic; • posting a video of yourself on social media doing six repetitions of your favourite exercise with the pieces of plastic in the video; • Use #doublethewave and tag Wave Of Change Malta; • Tag and nominate six people.

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