Pioneering Hong Konger ready to tackle rough seas, jellyfish in 34km swim in Oceans Seven

The Northern Canal runs between the north-east of Northern Ireland and the south-west of Scotland.

This is the longest and arguably most grueling leg of the Oceans Seven challenge, which includes seven of the world’s most difficult canal crossings and is considered the open water equivalent of the Seven Summits swim mountaineering.

Leung’s swim could take between 12 and 15 hours, depending on the tide.

“I swam over 100 days straight, making sure I hit the water every day. I also swim for three hours before going to work at 9 a.m.,” he said.

The Hong Konger, who studied and worked in the United States, has actively participated in swimming competitions since a young age.

A setback in his U.S. business amid the pandemic in 2020 prompted him to return to the city.

Leung’s friend introduced him to the world of open water swimming in 2021, which slowly reignited his passion.

In a tragic turn of events, the friend died a year later, which Leung said inspired him to “take action and not wait.”

“I had a revelation. I thought I should really get into something I was passionate about,” he said. “That I shouldn’t just wait and pursue my passion while I still can.” So I did it.

Since then, Leung has participated in several competitions, winning numerous accolades in the process.

He and three other Hong Kongers formed a four-person team to swim across Scotland’s Loch Ness in a relay, becoming the first from the city to do so. They also raised HK$11,600 (US$1,490) for the Community Chest of Hong Kong, a non-profit organization.

For the upcoming swim in the North Channel, Leung has so far raised HK$20,000 for the Child Development Initiative Alliance, a youth development NGO, to help support disadvantaged youth through education , employment opportunities and professional training.

His preparation also included a 10-hour swim in waters with a temperature of around 13 degrees Celsius (53.6 Fahrenheit), which is what he hopes to experience on the big day.

“There were nine of us, one of whom was hospitalized during the swim. It wasn’t easy, but I think my preparation made the difference,” he said.

Leung said he hoped his challenge would encourage people to learn from life’s failures, especially disadvantaged youth who were dealing with trauma and difficulties.

“I hope to inspire them to overcome adversity, not give up, and guide them to find their purpose in life,” Leung said.

“Despite all our struggles, we cannot control the environment we find ourselves in, but we can control how we perceive the experience and what it means to us.”

Leung has scheduled a window between June 29 and July 4 to attempt the swim. He leaves for Northern Ireland on Sunday.