Draft:Jonty Warneken

• Comment: Please see WP:COI. See also WP:BLP. Statements, starting with the date of birth, need to be sourced or removed. Greenman (talk) 18:44, 18 April 2025 (UTC)

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Jonty Warneken
Jonty Warneken in 2024
Born	Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
Nationality	British
Education	Stonyhurst College University of Hull (BSc, Psychology)
Occupation(s)	Ice swimmer Finance professional Public speaker
Employer	Atomos (Head of Harrogate Office)
Known for	First amputee to swim the North Channel solo First disabled Ice Mile swimmer
Notable work	Para Five Challenge Jersey circumnavigation swim
Awards	Guinness World Records (3-time record holder) IISA Hall of Fame Honouree (2024) WOWSA Adaptive Performance of the Year (2023, Bronze)
Website	LinkedIn

Jonty Warneken (born 1972) is a British open water and ice swimmer, finance professional, and disability sports advocate. He became one of the world’s first disabled extreme swimmers after losing his left leg in a 1994 car accident. Warneken was the first amputee to swim across the North Channel solo, between Northern Ireland and Scotland. He was also the first to complete an official ice mile (one mile in sub-5°C water) as a disabled athlete. He has represented Great Britain in international ice swimming championships and holds multiple endurance swimming records. Outside of sport, Warneken has built a successful career in financial services and is heavily involved in charitable work and motivational speaking.

Early life and education

Warneken was born in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and grew up in the Nidderdale area. He spent much of his childhood outdoors, swimming and fishing in the Yorkshire Dales. He attended Grosvenor House School and then Stonyhurst College. A strong student and athlete, he received a Royal Air Force scholarship and earned his private pilot’s licence at 17. He deferred his place at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to complete a degree in psychology, sociology and anthropology at the University of Hull. He was also a promising rugby player.

Accident and amputation

In November 1994, Warneken was involved in a serious car accident at age 22. While driving a 1963 MGB Roadster, he lost control and hit a tree. He sustained life-threatening injuries: his left leg was amputated below the knee and he suffered facial and skull fractures. He underwent multiple reconstructive surgeries and spent six months in hospital. He was medically discharged from Sandhurst and adapted to life with a prosthetic limb.

Athletic career

Warneken began open water swimming after his recovery. In January 2014, he became the world’s first disabled person to complete an official “Ice Mile” in water below 5°C. The swim was completed in 4.86°C water and ratified by the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA).

He has since completed numerous marathon-distance open water swims. In August 2022, he swam 17 km across Lake Windermere. In 2021, he completed a relay swim across the English Channel. In June 2022, he joined “Team Bits Missing”, an all-disabled relay team, to cross the North Channel.

On 7 September 2023, Warneken became the first amputee to solo swim the North Channel, completing the 33.5-mile crossing in 15 hours 24 minutes. He was the 135th person ever to complete the swim.

In August 2024, he became the first para swimmer to complete a circumnavigation swim around Jersey, completing the 56 km route in 11 hours 33 minutes.

He also introduced the concept of the “Para Five” – five open water swims of over one mile, completed in five regions in five days.

Warneken represented Great Britain at the IISA World Championships in 2019 and 2023. At the 2024 European Championships, he won two silver and one bronze medal.

He is Vice President of the IISA and Co-Chair of the Ice Swimming Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024.

Professional career

After graduating, Warneken entered the financial services sector. He started his career with Ansbacher & Co Ltd, Private Bank, before holding senior roles at firms including Fidelity International, JP Morgan, and RBS. He eventually became Managing Director of a risk investment business.

In 2021, he became a trustee of the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust, reflecting his passion for nature and the outdoors. He also works as a motivational speaker, sharing his story of resilience with corporate audiences, schools, and charities.

Advocacy and recognition

Warneken actively advocates for disability inclusion in sport. As Vice President of the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA), he helped develop classification systems to allow para-athletes to compete officially in ice swimming events. He was instrumental in the development of the “World Para Ice Swimming” category.

He was inducted into the International Ice Swimming Hall of Fame in 2024 for his pioneering achievements and contributions to the sport.

Warneken has been featured in national and regional media for his achievements, including The Yorkshire Post, Harrogate Advertiser, and Outdoor Swimmer magazine.

Personal life

Warneken lives in North Yorkshire with his wife. Outside of swimming and his professional commitments, he enjoys fly fishing, conservation, and spending time in the Dales.

Selected achievements

• First amputee to complete an official Ice Mile (2014)
• Completed English Channel relay (2021)
• Completed Lake Windermere solo swim (2022)
• First all-disabled team to relay swim the North Channel (2022)
• First amputee to solo swim the North Channel (2023)
• First amputee to swim around Jersey island (2024)
• Double silver and bronze medallist – IISA European Championships (2024)
• Vice President – International Ice Swimming Association
• Inductee – International Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (2024)

External links

• [International Ice Swimming Hall of Fame – Jonty Warneken](https://iishof.com/honoree/jonty-warneken/)
• [Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust – Trustee page](https://www.ydrt.org.uk/about-us-our-trustees/jonty-warneken/)
• [Champions Speakers – Jonty Warneken profile](https://champions-speakers.co.uk/speaker-agent/jonty-warneken)
• [Diversity & Inclusion Speakers – Jonty Warneken](https://diversity-inclusion-speakers.com/speaker/jonty-warneken/)