Man marks 30 years since amputation with ice swim

Jonty Warneken lost his left leg in a car crash at the age of 22

A man who lost his left leg in a car crash plans is to mark 30 years as an amputee by taking part in an international ice swimming competition.

Jonty Warneken, from North Yorkshire, took up distance events after his dreams of playing professional rugby were ended by a car accident at the age of 22.

He has since broken four Guinness World Records with different swimming challenges.

Mr Warneken will now travel to Italy to take part in his first ice swimming race as he said he wanted to "do something big" to mark the date.

Mr Warneken plans to compete in the event on 14 January along with his friend, Emily Smailes.

Water temperatures could drop as low as -2C for the race.

"I started ice swimming to help with endurance as I do a lot of 10k swims," Mr Warneken said.

"I soon realised I wanted to be the first disabled person to swim the Ice Mile, which is a five mile swim at 5C or below, so I did that, and then got invited on the International Ice Swimming Association Board to help run it, so that's how I progressed into the sport."

Mr Warneken was also the first amputee to swim the North Channel from Northern Ireland to Scotland solo.

He also plans to take part in an Arctic ski challenge later in the year.

"Like with every sport, the mental routine is massive as it really hurts, but the biggest thing is getting through it," Mr Warneken said.

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