Twenty-year-old Sean McCabe has added Newcastle fountains to his training regime… but the big question is why?
As he prepares for a personal challenge, the man known as Skinny_Sean on Instagram finds himself a viral sensation after posting his five-kilometre “dips” in some of the region’s most iconic bodies of water.
His unusual routine now includes the Civic Park Fountain, Charlestown Golf Course, Blacksmiths’ Grannies Pool and more.
Along the way, he’s even garnered more than 211,000 views for one single post.
McCabe said his exit from the pool and into public spaces was a means of branching out of his comfort zone.
“It started just to get over a bit of social anxiety… and just get out there,” he explained.
“I was already training and doing it, so I might as well record it.”
McCabe also stated it was a “bit more fun” than looking at a line on the bottom of a pool.
“Obviously it’s a bit stupid, but it also motivates people,” he said.
The conditions at Civic Park have been the toughest so far.
“My feet were dragging along the ground half the time,” he said.
“It was so cold, very uncomfortable.
“But, thankfully, I haven’t encountered any ear infections yet.”
Coached and trained by his father, McCabe admits he’s always loved the feeling of being in the water.
“Swimming’s been a huge part of my life,” he said.
He is currently training for an event at the end of August, where he’ll compete with his brother, seeing how far they can swim in 24 hours, raising money for charity as well.
So far, his efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, with his social media videos amassing tens of thousands of eyeballs.
“The more iconic the location the better,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.
However, there are downsides to his notoriety as a copycat recently emerged… and is ticking off some sites on McCabe’s list before he gets there.
“He’s definitely snagged a few,” he says.
But, he remains unfazed as he works towards his end goal of eventually tackling the English Channel.
“I’m focused on my own aspirations, I’ve got other ideas I want to put out there,” McCabe said.
“At the end of the day, I’m training for myself.
“We all have phones and doom scroll.
“It’s free, so why not put that bit of effort in and to record the things you’re passionate about.”
The next location is undisclosed as McCabe works on upgrading his Strava stats around Newcastle’s favourite fountains.
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