This time last year a group of dedicated swimmers from Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre (HALC) travelled together for an epic open-water swimming adventure in the Adriatic – the ‘Albanian Overboard’ swim – a 3km open-water crossing from Corfu, Greece, to Albania.
Rough conditions meant the Albanian Coastguard deemed the route unsafe, so organisers changed the course to a 3km swim along the Corfu coastline instead. Despite the change, the HALC swimmers still managed to secure top spots among the 100 participants.
Beyond the swim, many participants took the opportunity to explore Albania, visiting coastal towns, historic sites like Butrint and Gjirokastër, and experiencing the local culture. Some even extended their trip to take on other challenges, including the Berlin Marathon and hiking in the mountains.
Trips like this go a long way towards strengthening social connections and gaining a greater appreciation for different cultures – all key to a healthy and connected Y community at HALC.
