Richard Webster, a 59-year-old volunteer RNLI lifeguard from the Wirral, has successfully conquered the legendary Cadiz Freedom Swim.
This extreme 7.5km open water challenge is considered one of the toughest endurance swims in the world, requiring immense physical fitness and mental resilience.
On 27th January 2026, Richard completed the iconic crossing from Robben Island to Big Bay in Cape Town, South Africa, finishing in a fantastic time of three hours and seven minutes.
This was all despite the conditions, which included battling freezing sea temperatures, low visibility, and shark-inhabited waters.
Richard has spent a decade volunteering his summers to keep beachgoers safe on the Merseyside coast.
Speaking on his achievement, Richard said:
“As a senior beach lifeguard with the RNLI, this challenge required every bit of resilience I’d developed over my 10 years of volunteering for the lifesaving charity.
“The fitness level I’ve been able to maintain as part of being a RNLI lifeguard helped with my confidence when training and, of course, my sea swimming ability.”
Coldest temperatures recorded in years
The Atlantic swell presented a significant hurdle for the Wirral lifeguard, with water temperatures recorded as some of the coldest in years, making even more of a surreal achievement.
Richard spent months preparing for the misty, early morning start and the choppy conditions that define the Freedom Swim.
He said:
“If you sea swim in the UK you’ll know the importance of needing to acclimatise to the cold and the Freedom Swim is known for its very cold temperatures and choppy Atlantic swell.
“With the swim starting at 6.30am, it was very misty, I couldn’t see anything in the water, could hardly see the safety boat.
“They were using a whistle at times to help guide us.
“The water was indeed very cold , some of the coldest they’ve recorded in years, so it was important I got my body used to it ahead of race day through exposure during my training.”
RNLI Anniversary and Fundraising for Souper Troopers Charity
Richard’s feat comes at a significant time for the charity, as 2026 marks 25 years of the RNLI lifeguard service.
Lucy Tilston, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor in the Wirral, praised his dedication:
“Richard has kicked this year off with such an inspiring challenge, and the whole team send him huge congratulations for completing this endurance event.
“We look forward to him joining us again this summer. 2026 is an exciting year for our lifeguard service as we celebrate 25 years since RNLI lifeguarding began.”
“We now have over 1,500 lifeguards covering more than 230 beaches across the UK and Channel Islands, so if you’re interested in finding out how you can join the team, we have volunteer and paid positions.”
Beyond the physical challenge, Richard used the swim to raise funds for Souper Troopers, a Cape Town charity supporting homeless individuals.
Reflecting on the emotional finish, Richard said:
“It’s about giving people dignity, giving them clean new clothes and showing them a little bit of love.
“The charity helps to train people for jobs that are in demand, helping them turn their lives around to give them qualifications and opportunities.
“Many from the charity came to watch me finish the swim, which I found really moving, and it meant a lot.”
