Juanjo Caselles, a 45-year-old swimmer from Orihuela, has set himself one of the most demanding open water challenges: crossing Loch Ness in Scotland. Diagnosed with hip dysplasia in his adolescence, which causes instability, wear, and pain, Caselles has turned swimming into his way of life and a tool to overcome barriers.
After several unsuccessful surgeries and treatments, and following medical advice to swim to stay active and strengthen his back, Caselles began his aquatic journey in 1998. At that time, the Vega Baja region did not yet have municipal pools, leading him to train in natural pools in Torrevieja and later in various facilities across the province of Alicante.
A member of the Club Natación Máster Murcia, Caselles specializes in long-distance open water events, aiming to raise awareness for disability and prove that "disabled people can also do sports." On weekends, he trains with a group of swimmers from the Vega Baja in beaches such as Los Locos, Los Náufragos, and Cala Capitán, preparing for "titanic" challenges.
Over the years, he has completed numerous significant swims: 21 km between Tabarca and Alicante (2016), the Ultra Ebre Swim Marathon (31 km), the Reto Solidario Club Aquarium (20 km), the Batalla de Rande (28 km, repeated in 2023), the circumnavigation of Manhattan (46 km in 2018), the Strait of Gibraltar (18 km in 2019), and a 38 km swim between Alicante and La Mata (2021). Last year, he swam 20 km between Lisbon and Cascais, and nearly 29 km along the region's coast in a solidarity challenge against childhood cancer.
The Loch Ness challenge, covering 36 km and estimated to take 11 to 12 hours, involves significant logistical investment and is considered one of the world's toughest swims. The competition takes place over a week, with one swimmer per day accompanied by a support boat and safety team. The main difficulty will be the cold, with water temperatures around 13 degrees Celsius and ambient temperatures that can drop below 10 degrees.
For his preparation, Caselles has undertaken long training sessions without a wetsuit along the coastlines of Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa during the coldest winter months, accumulating nearly 400 km. Before the event, he will travel to Scotland to acclimatize to the hostile conditions. His story of overcoming adversity aims to inspire other people with disabilities.
