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Hell and High Water: My Epic 900-Mile Swim from Land’s End to John O'Groats
'Rain pelted down on the back of my neck and saltwater rushed down my throat as I tried to breathe into a wave. A foghorn started booming from a lighthouse in the distance. For a moment I thought it was a rescue siren for me. Imagine if I got rescued on day two. That would be embarrassing.'
In June 2013 Sean Conway set out from Land’s End in his bid to be the first person to swim the length of Britain. It was a challenge so extreme that not only had it never been attempted before, but most of the sponsors Sean approached turned him down as they were worried that he would die trying.
Landlocked Cheltenham – Sean’s hometown – isn’t really the ideal place to train for a long sea swim, and he only managed three miles in a local pool before setting off from Land's End. Once in the water Sean had to develop incredible mental strength to deal with the extreme cold and hours alone. He also needed to devise ways to take on the huge number of calories he needed to sustain him. On the support boat he and his three-man crew had to cope with storms, seasickness and living in close proximity for months. After taking a few jellyfish stings to the face, Sean decided to grow a huge beard to protect himself.
The physical challenge was gruelling, but came with unexpected rewards. Sean swam with dolphins and seals and among stunning night-time phosphorescence. He had a unique view of the British coast, discovering tiny hidden coves and exploring shipwrecks. When there were problems with the support boat, Sean and his crew met many kindly people who were willing to come to their aid.
This is a remarkable and funny story about how anything is possible if you truly put your mind to it.
In June 2013 Sean Conway set out from Land’s End in his bid to be the first person to swim the length of Britain. It was a challenge so extreme that not only had it never been attempted before, but most of the sponsors Sean approached turned him down as they were worried that he would die trying.
Landlocked Cheltenham – Sean’s hometown – isn’t really the ideal place to train for a long sea swim, and he only managed three miles in a local pool before setting off from Land's End. Once in the water Sean had to develop incredible mental strength to deal with the extreme cold and hours alone. He also needed to devise ways to take on the huge number of calories he needed to sustain him. On the support boat he and his three-man crew had to cope with storms, seasickness and living in close proximity for months. After taking a few jellyfish stings to the face, Sean decided to grow a huge beard to protect himself.
The physical challenge was gruelling, but came with unexpected rewards. Sean swam with dolphins and seals and among stunning night-time phosphorescence. He had a unique view of the British coast, discovering tiny hidden coves and exploring shipwrecks. When there were problems with the support boat, Sean and his crew met many kindly people who were willing to come to their aid.
This is a remarkable and funny story about how anything is possible if you truly put your mind to it.
311 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2015
7 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 26, 2025
Went to see a talk by Sean Conway a few months back and bought this book when there. He was such an awesome and inspiring speaker. How he managed to swim all this way, with all the issues they had was remarkable. I did think the book focused too much on the negatives but I guess bad things make a better story. Unbelievable achievement and so inspiring. Well done to Sean and the crew
July 19, 2017
Awesome book! Incredible adventure and brilliant writing, can't ask for more than that.
June 25, 2022
Sean Conway, 1981 in Simbabwe geboren, ist Motivationsredner und Autor, aber vor allem ist er ein Ausdauerathlet. In Hell and High Water beschreibt er, wie er von Land's End im Süden Englands bis nach John O'Groats, dem nördlichsten Punkt auf dem schottischen Festland geschwommen ist.
Meine Meinung
Wie kommt man auf die Idee zu so einem Unternehmen? Es klingt einfach: Man fühlt sich in seinem aktuellen Job nicht wohl, will etwas ganz anderes machen und auf einmal ist diese Idee da. Es hilft, wenn man schon vorher etwas ähnliches gemacht hat. Dabei muss man, wie in Seans Fall, nicht immer Erfolg haben. Aber man lernt aus seinen Fehlern und kommt stärker zurück.
Seans Weg wirkt manchmal sehr amateurhaft. Er kümmert sich erst spät um ein Begleitboot, weiß nicht, ob er eine Crew hat und schlägt alle Warnungen in den Wind, nur um auf den einen guten Ratschlag zu hören. Dass er damit Erfolg hat (und damit meine ich nur, dass er mit seinem Unternehmen anfängt) liegt daran, dass er an das glaubt, was er tut. Er glaubt, dass er und seine Crew für jedes Problem eine Lösung finden. Dass er auf dem Weg Leute trifft, die ihn einfach so unterstützen, ist ein Bonus und er ist jedes Mal dankbar dafür.
Vielleicht ist er manchmal auf zu fixiert, denn er merkt nicht dass es zwischen zwei von drei Teammitgliedern Spannungen gibt oder dass die Frau, die ihn mit dem Kanu begleitet, eine Heidenangst vor dem Meer hat. Ihm ist auch nicht bewusst, welche Aufmerksamkeit er erregt und dass seine Reise von vielen Menschen verfolgt ist.
Hell and High Water wirkt auf mich, als ob Sean Conway selbst nicht immer fassen kann, was er da eigentlich macht. Genau wie die Unternehmungen, die er seitdem gemacht hat und auf die ich ein aufmerksames Auge habe. Ich habe viel gelernt beim Lesen: man kann durchaus beim Schwimmen essen, nämlich indem man eine Schüssel Eintopf auf dem Bauch balanciert. Bärte helfen gegen Quallen, es gibt so etwas wie Protein Farts
Meine Meinung
Wie kommt man auf die Idee zu so einem Unternehmen? Es klingt einfach: Man fühlt sich in seinem aktuellen Job nicht wohl, will etwas ganz anderes machen und auf einmal ist diese Idee da. Es hilft, wenn man schon vorher etwas ähnliches gemacht hat. Dabei muss man, wie in Seans Fall, nicht immer Erfolg haben. Aber man lernt aus seinen Fehlern und kommt stärker zurück.
Seans Weg wirkt manchmal sehr amateurhaft. Er kümmert sich erst spät um ein Begleitboot, weiß nicht, ob er eine Crew hat und schlägt alle Warnungen in den Wind, nur um auf den einen guten Ratschlag zu hören. Dass er damit Erfolg hat (und damit meine ich nur, dass er mit seinem Unternehmen anfängt) liegt daran, dass er an das glaubt, was er tut. Er glaubt, dass er und seine Crew für jedes Problem eine Lösung finden. Dass er auf dem Weg Leute trifft, die ihn einfach so unterstützen, ist ein Bonus und er ist jedes Mal dankbar dafür.
Vielleicht ist er manchmal auf zu fixiert, denn er merkt nicht dass es zwischen zwei von drei Teammitgliedern Spannungen gibt oder dass die Frau, die ihn mit dem Kanu begleitet, eine Heidenangst vor dem Meer hat. Ihm ist auch nicht bewusst, welche Aufmerksamkeit er erregt und dass seine Reise von vielen Menschen verfolgt ist.
Hell and High Water wirkt auf mich, als ob Sean Conway selbst nicht immer fassen kann, was er da eigentlich macht. Genau wie die Unternehmungen, die er seitdem gemacht hat und auf die ich ein aufmerksames Auge habe. Ich habe viel gelernt beim Lesen: man kann durchaus beim Schwimmen essen, nämlich indem man eine Schüssel Eintopf auf dem Bauch balanciert. Bärte helfen gegen Quallen, es gibt so etwas wie Protein Farts
May 15, 2020
My husband and I both loved this book and read about Sean's history and previous extreme sport expeditions. FOr those of you that remember the travel book series, this is Swimming 900 Miles In On Open Ocean On Pennies-A-Day. I thought this was a brilliant book. Unlike the extreme sport nuts in another book by almost exactly the same title (Hell Or High Water), This guy is not filled with self-aggrandizing ego from the get-go. If folks will help him realize this dream, great!! If he can't get sponsors (other than Speedo) because they all think he'll die in his attempt, Oh Well, he's gonna do it anyway.
Sean Conway basically has a dream and a vaguely worked out plan, and he makes it work out as he goes along. Crazy but really admirable and gripping! He just slogs through hundreds of miles of cold, intimidating, body-breaking swimming from Land's End, UK, in the open ocean to John O'Groats, UK. A 900 Mile trip, accidentally by way of Ireland.
He's a misfit in so many ways but, as much as his goal, to me, seemed outlandish, his commitment is remarkable. No matter how many 'mistakes' he seemed to make in faulty equipment purchases, navigation, complete lack of pre-training workouts, enough food, etc. He still sticks with his goals and succeeds. One reference to the book ON THIS site refers to this as 'one man's attempt to...' 'Attempt', my foot. That very word implies a failure, when in fact he succeeded against all odds. We really admire this guy. He's quirky and funny-looking but conveyed a great personality and his achievement is amazing.
Sean Conway basically has a dream and a vaguely worked out plan, and he makes it work out as he goes along. Crazy but really admirable and gripping! He just slogs through hundreds of miles of cold, intimidating, body-breaking swimming from Land's End, UK, in the open ocean to John O'Groats, UK. A 900 Mile trip, accidentally by way of Ireland.
He's a misfit in so many ways but, as much as his goal, to me, seemed outlandish, his commitment is remarkable. No matter how many 'mistakes' he seemed to make in faulty equipment purchases, navigation, complete lack of pre-training workouts, enough food, etc. He still sticks with his goals and succeeds. One reference to the book ON THIS site refers to this as 'one man's attempt to...' 'Attempt', my foot. That very word implies a failure, when in fact he succeeded against all odds. We really admire this guy. He's quirky and funny-looking but conveyed a great personality and his achievement is amazing.
February 15, 2019
Incredible!!!!
I am an open water swimmer and have been for nearly 6yrs now, I started reading this book and was very nearly one of the doubters my main reasons were when Sean started to discuss preparations and stated he had never tried his wetsuits or been in open water before I was aghast is probably the only way to describe it. How was he going to swim all that way in those treacherous conditions with no training,myself knowing how hard physically and mentally it can be. Well mate all i can say is fair play to you it has been an inspirational ride reading your book and an absolute pleasure to have travelled up the West coast with you even if it was only with words. Damn Sean mate you are a legend and I am still not sure how you all pulled it off but congratulations you deserve every proud memory and every mile of the that swim is yours to own.......Well done!!!!! I only wish I was half as brave 🙈
I am an open water swimmer and have been for nearly 6yrs now, I started reading this book and was very nearly one of the doubters my main reasons were when Sean started to discuss preparations and stated he had never tried his wetsuits or been in open water before I was aghast is probably the only way to describe it. How was he going to swim all that way in those treacherous conditions with no training,myself knowing how hard physically and mentally it can be. Well mate all i can say is fair play to you it has been an inspirational ride reading your book and an absolute pleasure to have travelled up the West coast with you even if it was only with words. Damn Sean mate you are a legend and I am still not sure how you all pulled it off but congratulations you deserve every proud memory and every mile of the that swim is yours to own.......Well done!!!!! I only wish I was half as brave 🙈
December 6, 2021
As someone who swims 40 lengths of the pool three times a week, and finds it as boring a twenty minutes I can spend, I tip my hat to someone who can spend hour after hour plodding along in icy cold British seawater for 900 miles. And then can manage to write an entertaining book about it! Unsurprisingly the actual swimming isn't written about too much - what could he say about the mechanics of it? - so the focus is more on the logistics of the trip and the people involved. Plus the odd story about being hit in the face by jelly fish. It's an easy read, not too introspective, and the style belies the achievement. Next time I'm ready to quit after length number 23, I'll think of Sean and plough on. We distance swimmers need to stick together.
September 29, 2017
Having read Sean's previous book about attempting to cycle around the world, about halfway through this one I thought it was going to be another "close, but...." type of book. Happily it turns out that he DID complete the swim albeit off schedule by quite a bit.
An enjoyable read and I expect he's doing another one about his run next.
An enjoyable read and I expect he's doing another one about his run next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2018
Very enjoyable read about an amazing feat of courage and endurance.
Swimming in 12degree seas in November ...with 30 foot waves, sharks and jellyfish....whilst vomiting and eating packs of butter to try and keep some body fat. Utterly crazy. All done on a wing and a prayer ... and the dedication of his crew and the kindness of strangers.
Swimming in 12degree seas in November ...with 30 foot waves, sharks and jellyfish....whilst vomiting and eating packs of butter to try and keep some body fat. Utterly crazy. All done on a wing and a prayer ... and the dedication of his crew and the kindness of strangers.
July 12, 2018
It amazing how far a person can awim.
This book requires five stars. I'm new to swimming and was captivated by Shaun's endurance and commitment. How some one can swimming that distance stuns me.
This book requires five stars. I'm new to swimming and was captivated by Shaun's endurance and commitment. How some one can swimming that distance stuns me.
September 24, 2020
This book documents a thoroughly impressive achievement and not one I think I would like to replicate...
The author manages to keep the book interesting despite it essentially charting a tale of doing the same thing over and over again in varying conditions!
The author manages to keep the book interesting despite it essentially charting a tale of doing the same thing over and over again in varying conditions!
October 17, 2020
A well written non-fiction story of a man's adventure swimming the length of Britain from Land's End to John O'Groats. He seemed somewhat ill-prepared but you can't doubt his bravery and commitment to the challenge and the fund raising target he set himself.
April 21, 2018
Unbelievable totally amazing
August 31, 2019
Inspiring
I loved this book. The highs and lows of this swimmers journey kept me engrossed from start to finish. Fab
I loved this book. The highs and lows of this swimmers journey kept me engrossed from start to finish. Fab
June 24, 2020
Have read this twice now and enjoyed it both times. A great adventure and Sean has a very witty and charming way of writing. Definetly motivates me to go out in more of my own adventures.
May 8, 2021
Very enjoyable read, a few evenings well spent!
December 17, 2021
Fascinating!!!
April 21, 2022
Awesome book, couldn’t put it down!
October 4, 2022
Inspiring
March 6, 2025
Wow! What an adventure!
July 2, 2018
A great adventure and a book that is well written. I just could not stop reading. Sean writes in an intimate way so you (as a reader) feel that you are part of the expedition, swimming the length of Britain (and part of Eire). But unlike many other adventure-writers, he does not include ugly quarrels or low morale in too much detail. As a reader you know when the going gets (got) tough, but Sean quickly leads you out of the dark and into the light at the end of the tunnel; start swimming mate!!
I saw the extended TV-documentary about Sean tri-athloning (biking, running and swimming) around Britain, Wales and Scotland and am hooked forever to his bright and upbeat books, films, Twitter-ing and am following his latest adventure online (let me know if you need a member to your crew Sean?)
I saw the extended TV-documentary about Sean tri-athloning (biking, running and swimming) around Britain, Wales and Scotland and am hooked forever to his bright and upbeat books, films, Twitter-ing and am following his latest adventure online (let me know if you need a member to your crew Sean?)
July 25, 2019
As an open water swimmer, I thoroughly enjoyed this. I felt the journey with him.
September 13, 2015
In an age when few challenges seem to remain unconquered, Sean Conway dreamed up a new and outrageous one. Swim the length of Britain...why ever not? This is the problem; each century, the challenges will have to become more and more absurd to rate as newsworthy. This is one of them. Like most people, the thought of swimming out of my depth in the ocean leaves me just a teensy bit worried about what's down there. Obviously it won't matter a hoot to someone who dreams up a jaunt like this. "Swim across the Irish Channel?"..."Of course!" Actually, Sean Conway IS scared of the deep water. Never mind, at least he will have planned the whole thing to within an inch of its life? Well...see what you think.
I read this book in two days. It's just such a mind-blowing concept. Sean deals with funding problems, health problems, broken support vessels, cold water, unhelpful tides, damp crew quarters, jellyfish and a scare about sharks spotted off the coast. That's before he gets to the mountainous seas around norther Scotland! My only criticism of the book is that it just doesn't do justice to how physically punishingly and mentally wearing this adventure must have been. In his defence, if he had, it would probably have been unreadable due to the number of passages about how wet and cold and miserable he must have felt. Sean does describe the highlights too. Memories of evening campfires on beautiful, desolate stretches of British coastline will live on in my mind, but so too will the terrifying waves off the coast of John O' Groats. Extraordinary. I rate the book 4-star, Sean Conway 5-star for his pioneering spirit and the friends who helped him each get a solid 6 stars out of 5.
I read this book in two days. It's just such a mind-blowing concept. Sean deals with funding problems, health problems, broken support vessels, cold water, unhelpful tides, damp crew quarters, jellyfish and a scare about sharks spotted off the coast. That's before he gets to the mountainous seas around norther Scotland! My only criticism of the book is that it just doesn't do justice to how physically punishingly and mentally wearing this adventure must have been. In his defence, if he had, it would probably have been unreadable due to the number of passages about how wet and cold and miserable he must have felt. Sean does describe the highlights too. Memories of evening campfires on beautiful, desolate stretches of British coastline will live on in my mind, but so too will the terrifying waves off the coast of John O' Groats. Extraordinary. I rate the book 4-star, Sean Conway 5-star for his pioneering spirit and the friends who helped him each get a solid 6 stars out of 5.
November 14, 2015
Sean Conway deserves five stars - he is inspirational and achieving this feat when many doubted he could deserved to be commended! I couldn't however give the book five stars - it's a definite page-turner and made me laugh but the writing was at times a little simple and repetitive and I would have liked some more detailed maps to follow the route and story. That being said, this book is short and succinct enough to appeal to all audiences and I can appreciate why it has been kept brief. This book has made me want to start planning my next adventure - saw this quote on Sean's Instagram and I think it sums up his swim and exceptional outlook on life...
"Boredom is a disease. You catch it by doing the same, being the same, as everybody else.But the cure is simple. Be true to yourself. Life's too short for compromise."
"Boredom is a disease. You catch it by doing the same, being the same, as everybody else.But the cure is simple. Be true to yourself. Life's too short for compromise."
June 2, 2015
I read this book on a flight from Edinburgh to JFK. It was an interesting book and a real page turner. When I first started this book, I really wanted to kick the guy because he was so flipping unprepared. Seriously? You're going to swim it up and you haven't done so many things that should have been done? Serendipity happened so many times. All in all a good read about a guy who sets out to swim the length of Britain and gets more than he bargained for. I want to look up blogs/books/articles from the other crew on this adventure.
September 22, 2017
Nuts. Swam the length of Britain, finishing way up north quite late in the year. Conway has a way of writing that keeps you in his wake, and suspect he would be an interesting character to meet. A great read particularly for anybody wanting to do extreme swim challenges, but it might put you off. It is written simply and gives a good idea of his daily challenge and how he approaches it, and how he gets on with his support (not always that well). Some maps would have been a bonus.
July 20, 2015
Loved it! Totally inspiring and such an entertaining adventure. Didn't waste time with long winded descriptions, just included the good bits!
August 25, 2015
Wow! Inspirational and a good yarn!
"you should never let someone else's opinion (and opinion is all it is) of your ability affect the decisions you make in life"
"you should never let someone else's opinion (and opinion is all it is) of your ability affect the decisions you make in life"
November 3, 2015
A brilliantly honest description of an endurance swim of epic proportions. An inspiring and emotional read.
March 3, 2017
One of Great Britain's best adventures!
January 8, 2016
Really enjoyed this book, not only a huge achievement and man versus the impossible. But a testament to human kindness and generosity. Inspiring!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews