We’re driven by people, by stories, and by those small yet powerful gestures that can make a real difference. And sometimes, that leads us to do things… a little out of the ordinary. Like swimming more than 36 km through the icy, dark waters of Loch Ness in Scotland.
This Sunday, August 10, weather permitting, our CEO James Stuart will take on one of the biggest sporting challenges of his life: crossing Loch Ness in a continuous relay alongside teammates Iñaki Guezuraga, Ricardo Arana, and Chris Keightley-Pugh.
The goal? To raise funds for the Vicente Ferrer Foundation, which will dedicate every euro raised to something close to our hearts: helping 250 children between the ages of 3 and 6 in Nepal access quality early education in a safe, nurturing environment.
It’s not the first time James and his team have embarked on such a challenge. In 2023, they swam across the Strait of Gibraltar, and now they’re raising the bar: Loch Ness is over 230 meters deep, with summer water temperatures between 10 °C and 15 °C, near-zero visibility, and a course of more than 36 km. Not bad, right?
“We’re not professional swimmers, but we believe in doing extraordinary things for causes that matter. If Nessie decides to join us, she’s more than welcome!” jokes James in his blog Africa on the Horizon.
At Grupo Califa, we believe our commitment to people and the environment goes far beyond what happens inside our hotels, houses, or restaurants. It’s also about initiatives like this—projects that connect us to something greater, rooted in shared effort and solidarity.
Will you join us and add your grain of sand?
