Disability Sports News - with PembrokeshireSport.co.uk

Richard’s ready to undertake twice the challenge

After his success of swimming from Tenby to Caldey last year in the very good time of just over one hour, Richard Young has opted to undertake twice the challenge in aid of local charities this year – and decided he would also like to try the return journey. 

He undertakes his special challenge on Sunday, 21 st August, weather permitting, and he has been training at Tenby Pool and sea swimming since May. So far he hasn’t met any of the jelly fish problems that he encountered last year, although the weather conditions have made sea training quite hard.

            “There have been quite a few rough days,” said dad Steve, who uses a kayak to accompany Richard on his practice swims, “but he has been training really hard and when he swam across the front of the beaches to Monkstone Point earlier this week I offered him a lift back in the kayak but he just turned around and repeated the trip!”

Raising funds for local charities

Richard told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk,

“Last year when I landed on Caldey Beach I had still got some energy left because I was so excited and that’s when I thought I could swim there and back. This year I have trained even harder, although the sea has been very choppy. It meant that dad and a friend fell in the water on one occasion and I had to rescue them!”

Richard is raising funds again this year for local charities; Tenby and District Gateway club (affiliated to Mencap) and Wings over Pembrokeshire, who provide music and performance opportunities for people with special needs.  Richard has been a member of these two clubs for many years and sees this as a great way to put something back into the clubs that have supported him.

Great competitor

Richard has competed in disability sport for most of his life since joining the Special Olympics in 1996 at the age of 11. Since then he has trained continuously in many disciplines, including athletics, basketball and swimming. He has competed and been successful in numerous competitions all over the country from Glasgow to the Isle of Wight. Two years ago year, Richard was the only Pembrokeshire swimmer to represent Wales at the Special Olympics National Games held in Leicester, where he won two bronze and one gold medal. He was also nominated last year for the Sports Pembrokeshire awards, possibly the highest sport acknowledgement in the County, which were held at Folly Farm and he was very proud to be the winner of the disability sport award.

Good luck Richard

Richard, who has Downs syndrome, has a busy life. When he is not training he can be found at the Mencap Gardens in Stackpole, digging his vegetable patch, helping out at the Manor Wild Life Park, or learning new skills at the Avenue Centre in Tenby. He is very outgoing too and enjoys taking part in music workshops and concerts held by ‘Wings over Pembrokeshire.’ 

It is hoped that sea and weather conditions will be favourable on the day, which also coincides with the Tenby Rotary party on the beach and it is hoped that friends, family and supporters will be at the harbour to see him off.

PembrokeshireSport.co.uk is full of admiration for this smashing young feller (and his dad!) and we wish him every success on his very big day!