Belgian soldier swims entire coastline for charity

Belgian soldier Davy Billiau set off on Tuesday morning to swim the full length of Belgium’s coastline. His project, called Wave of Hope, aims to raise money for the charity Wensambulance, which helps fulfil the final wishes of people with terminal illnesses.

Billiau, a navy diver and bomb disposal expert, began his challenge at 6:30am in De Panne. He plans to cover 67 kilometres, finishing in Knokke-Heist by Tuesday evening. By midday, he had already reached the waters near Ostend.

“Davy is feeling good and on schedule,” said his colleagues. “He is swimming at an average speed of 5.2 kilometres per hour, although the wind is starting to pick up.” He is being followed by a navy support boat and briefly received help from the lifeguards in Koksijde.

As well as raising funds, Billiau hopes to set a record time for swimming the Belgian coastline.

^{An aerial view of Knokke’s coast line © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND}