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River Severn swimmer crawls towards end of aquatic adventure Longest river swimmer first to conquer Severn
(about 13 hours later)
An aquatic adventurer is hours away from finishing a moist month of swimming the UK's longest river. An aquatic adventurer has become the first person to swim the UK's longest river.
Kevin Brady, 32, wants to be the first swimmer to conquer the entire 220-mile (350 km) length of the River Severn. Kevin Brady, 32, took a month to swim the 220-mile (350km) River Severn and said he was "sad it was over".
Along the way he has front crawled past dangerous currents and dead sheep, dealt with violent bouts of river belly and stood to greet admiring supporters. Along the way he front crawled past dangerous currents and dead sheep, dealt with violent bouts of river belly and stood to greet admiring supporters.
He began on 23 September at the river's source and is aiming to reach Severn Beach, his endpoint, by early evening. He began on 23 September at the river's source and reached Severn Beach, his endpoint, just before 18:45 BST.
Mr Brady, who last year spent 140 days canoeing the length of the Mississippi River in the US, had originally planned to swim more than 10 miles (16 km) per day. After completing the swim, he said he was feeling "awesome, I've just swum the Severn".
However, due to bouts of sickness and difficult currents, he accepted a lesser daily distance and is 12 days behind schedule as a result. He said: "I'm feeling more like laughing than crying. I'm so happy to have finished the river, but do you know what?
The adventure began at the river's source in Plynlimon, Powys, and Mr Brady has swum through Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire along the way to the Severn Estuary. "Seeing all my family and friends coming together every single day, I'm just going to be so sad that this is over.
"It's been the most amazing experience of my life."
Mr Brady, who last year spent 140 days canoeing the length of the Mississippi River in the US, had originally planned to swim more than 10 miles (16km) per day.
However, because of bouts of sickness and difficult currents, he settled on a lesser daily distance and came in 12 days behind schedule as a result.
The adventure began at the river's source in Plynlimon, Powys, and Mr Brady swam through Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire along the way to the Severn Estuary.
On Wednesday, he safely overcame the most dangerous stretch of water, taking two hours to swim through "the noose".On Wednesday, he safely overcame the most dangerous stretch of water, taking two hours to swim through "the noose".
He had been urged by the Severn Area Rescue Association - which deployed two small lifeboats nearby - to abandon the swim over safety concerns.He had been urged by the Severn Area Rescue Association - which deployed two small lifeboats nearby - to abandon the swim over safety concerns.
However, spurred on by a rising tide of support, the Severn Bridge and the Second Severn Crossing are the last remaining landmarks in his sights as he swims beneath both before reaching Severn Beach. However, spurred on by a rising tide of support, the Severn Bridge and the Second Severn Crossing were the last remaining landmarks in his sights as he swam beneath both before reaching Severn Beach.
Mr Brady, who can be tracked online, said he expects to complete the challenge at a time near 18:00 GMT depending on weather and tidal conditions.