Guernsey 'workwear' sea swim to raise money for heart charity

BBC News

25-07-2025

Workers in Guernsey have entered the sea in office clothing in a bid to raise money for a heart charity.Keen sea swimmer Tristan Boscher, 47, said the 'Port Soiffice' annual charity swim at Port Soif had been running for 11 years."I had my own heart attack and went to Southampton and had triple bypass surgery so since then we've been doing it for heart charities," he said.Mr Boscher said proceeds would go to Guernsey's Chest and Heart, a charity which offers screening to people between the ages of 25 and 75.
Mr Boscher, who swims all year round, said five years had passed since he had the heart attack.He added that the heart attack happened the day after he had taken part in the Port Soiffice."It just came out of the blue," he said. "I was very active."He said the chosen charity was a good one to support to try to "prevent people from going through heart conditions and identifying any issues early on".
'Bobbing and gobbing'
Mr Boscher said the idea to wear suits during the swim originated due to the "play on words". "Port Soif leant itself to Port Soiffice," he added."When we first did it we were in these suits and we had a desk and a computer in the water... that was the start of it really."
Mr Boscher's friend Sue Duport, committee member for Guernsey's Swim All Seasons, has been taking part in the fundraiser for three years.Ms Duport said the charitable event was "really good" for mental health."It has taken away a lot of isolation for a lot of people," she said."It's always laughter, bobbing and gobbing and it's just a really good experience."