The fifth person to swim around the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai now wants to take on the World Islands in another mammoth endurance feat.
British former soldier Will Follett swam 11 kilometres around The Palm on Saturday, raising almost Dh40,000 ($10,890) for charity — double his initial target.
Those funds will go to the Gulf for Good charity and contribute to a building project at an orphanage in Tanzania.
Mr Follett, 41, dodged the worst of the strong currents and jellyfish to complete his solo swim in four hours and 10 minutes.
I've heard of some people who swam 24 kilometres around the World Islands, so that would be something I would like to try next
Former soldier Will Follett
“I only saw two jellyfish in the water and managed to avoid any stings, but I did get hit in the head by a flying fish. Another jumped out of the water and into a kayak of the support crew,” he said.
“I was happy with the time. I got into the water about 7am at low tide so missed the worst of the heat.
“For the last two kilometres I was swimming against the current, which was tough, and it was getting hotter so that was the worst part.”
Authorities gave Mr Follett special permission to complete his swim inside the outer fronds of the giant man-made archipelago.
A flotilla of support crew accompanied Mr Follett on his swim, with paddle boarders and kayakers offering water and supplies alongside a security boat manned by Nakheel, The Palm's developer.
Sun-baked and exhausted, the father of two dragged himself on to the golden sands of Palm West Beach just after 11am, where he was greeted by family and friends.
The funds he raised will go towards a new school at Larchfield Children’s Home in Mkuranga, south of the Tanzanian coastal city of Dar es Salaam.
“I think the cause resonated with a lot of people as we were very surprised by the response from donors,” Mr Follett said.
“I'm weary, but the swim has stoked the appetite for the next challenge.
“I've heard of some people who swam 24 kilometres around the World Islands, so that would be something I would like to try next.
“For now I’m just happy to have raised so much money.”
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Kamindu Mendis bio
Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
