AS SOON as lockdown was lifted, keen swimmer Chris Biles got back in the water at the West Wight Sports and Community Centre (WWSCC) pool.

He took advantage of the lifting of lockdown, and managed to swim 5k for the Swimathon 2020 challenge.

Chris, who is blind, has been a keen swimmer since his schooldays in the 1970s, when he took part in fundraising for the West Wight pool.

He usually swims every week at WWSCC and also takes part in Sight for Wight’s swim sessions.

Last year, swimming teacher Jenny Ball encouraged Chris to increase his swimming distances and to enter the Swimathon, a national event.

He said: “From October to December last year, I increased my distance from 2.5k to 5k, in 2 hours 40min. ”

However, the Swimathon was postponed from March to October, when Chris completed 200 lengths in four sessions.

He said: “Swimming is my favourite exercise. It is the one thing you can do on your own when you are blind. I like that freedom.”

Chris was presented with a T-shirt and medal.