The children’s author attempted to swim the length of the River Avon in a mermaid tail

Bristol’s Lindsey Cole hopes to break a world record

A West Country children’s author plans to swim the length of the River Avon this autumn wearing a mermaid tail to raise awareness of water quality.

Lindsey Cole from Bristol is hoping to break a world record for the longest swim while wearing a fin.

In 2018, Lindsey swam the length of the River Thames to raise awareness of plastic pollution.

She reflected on her journey as she prepares for her latest challenge: “I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling and adventure to inspire change.

“Through my swims and books, I hope to raise awareness and encourage others to protect our precious waterways.”

Depending on the weather, she plans to swim on Sunday, September 28.

This ambitious endeavor will see her ‘mermaid’ swim the length of the Bristol Avon in a continuous 24-hour swim.

Supported by a dedicated team of canoeing buddies, the swim promises to be testament to Lindsey’s resilience and commitment to environmental causes.

Ahead of her world record attempt, Lindsey will take her children’s show, ‘The Mermaid, the Otter and the Big Poo’, inspired by a previous swim across the Bristol Channel, to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Last year she swam from Wales to Clevedon in a mermaid tail, towing a large symbolic poo to highlight the need for clean waters.

This adventure was immortalized in her children’s book of the same name, which she has now adapted into an educational show.

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