The Full Story Behind Neil Agius' 140km Record-Breaking Swim Around Malta
A press conference held Saturday, recounted the dramatic 142 km swim around Malta and Gozo by ultra-endurance athlete Neil Agius.
Joined by his 29-member crew, which is made up of separate sea and land teams, Agius shared insights into the gruelling three-day challenge.
Alongside Agius, his team discussed the planning, logistics, and unforeseen difficulties they encountered, oIering a full picture of the Small Island, Big Swim event.
Months of planning culminate in weather-driven decision
The journey began long before the first stroke.
The planning for the swim started in January 2024, with Agius and his team gathering in conference rooms and on group calls to plan every detail. From discussion with sponsors, and mapping out the route, and the collaboration with NGOs and other stakeholders – the press were given an in.
Following the emotional end to his previous attempt in Spain last year, where he had to abandon the swim due to a massive jellyfish swarm, Neil was determined to complete a new challenge within 355 days.
He said he had decided to swim again, almost immediately after that swim.
The team meticulously prepared for months. Then, on Thursday last week, the weather window opened, and the final decision was made to start. With just 15 hours’ notice, the team mobilised.
Day 1: A promising start
The swim kicked oI on Saturday morning from Għadira Bay, Mellieħa, with crowds cheering Neil and his support crew.
As the momentum built, Neil maintained his scheduled rhythm—swimming for 28 minutes followed by 1.5-minute feeding breaks, as guided by Head of Logistics, Gordon Bugeja.
This precise routine was maintained throughout the swim, monitored by Garmin technology.
The first day progressed smoothly, but as the sun set, the first night brought the chill of cold water, longer than usual nights, and an ever-growing challenge for Neil.
Nights 1 and 2: Overcoming exhaustion and extreme cold
Night 1 quickly became a struggle.
As his Lead Motivator and partner, Lara Vella, recalled, Neil was already feeling cold by 9:30pm on the first night, with nine more hours of darkness still ahead.
The crew worked tirelessly to keep his body temperature up, with Dr Juice’s John Winfield, Head of Nutrition, explaining how they used food and drinks to help him cope.
On Night 2, the team was more prepared, but the exhaustion was setting in. With Neil awake for 35 hours by this point, his resilience was pushed to the limit.
At one point, Neil realised he was likely hypothermic. With the cold air filling his lungs, he struggled with maintaining body warmth.
Day 2: The Malta connection and public support
The days told a different story.
As Neil approached the 24-hour mark, the support from across Malta and Gozo became a critical motivator.
Throughout the swim, people sent messages from all corners of the island and abroad, and these were read out to Neil by his team to keep his spirits high.
The swim also attracted visits from Malta’s Minister of Sport, sponsors, and media, who witnessed first-hand, what goes into the swim.
“This was a first for us, and it shows just how much the logistics of this operation have evolved,” said Neil.
Day 3: Battling the storm
On the third day, a storm hit as Neil entered the final leg of the swim.
He faced two-meter-high waves, strong currents, and gale-force winds, making it the most challenging part of the entire swim.
For six and a half hours, he managed to cover only 10 km, averaging half his normal speed. Despite the difficulties, Neil’s determination never wavered.
Meanwhile, the crew was dealing with its own challenges. At one point, the team lost a rib due to a stuck propeller, and they even had a man overboard as the squall rocked their boats.
During this time communication was vital to ensure Neil’s safety.
The final decision: Calling the end at Għar Lapsi
After more than 50 hours of continuous swimming, it became clear to the crew that they could not endure another night of harsh conditions.
With safety as the priority, the decision was made to bring Neil ashore at Għar Lapsi, where hundreds of supporters lit the way with their phones as Neil swam to the finish.
Neil described the final moments of the swim as “letting go of ego” and focusing on the bigger picture.
His arrival to land was greeted with cheers from the gathered crowd, including two swimmers who had jumped in to guide him safely through the rocks.
What’s next for Neil Agius?
The Small Island, Big Swim may be over, but Neil’s journey is far from finished.
Agius aims to continue representing Malta and promoting ocean conservation as well as his Ocean Mindset initiative.
The initiative will focus on breathwork, mindset training, and using the ocean and his swim as a model for resilience and communication in business settings.
