The owner of a Kenilworth digital marketing company has won a bronze medal at the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) World Championship.

Neil Curtis, who owns Net Visibility, finished third in the 55-59 year old age group for 100 metre freestyle, completing the distance in a personal best time of 1 minute 19.12 seconds.

He also placed sixth in the 250 metre freestyle, and fourth in the 4 x 25 metre Individual Medley.

The fifth world championships were held in Samoens, France between 11 and 15 January with competitors from 41 countries including New Zealand, Australia and Mongolia taking part.

Neil was one of 44 swimmers in Team GB who made the trip over the channel to compete in waters of just 3.7 C.

Having been supposed to have taken part last year in Poland only for the event to be cancelled due to Covid-19, he has only actually been ice swimming for a few years.

Neil's first challenge was an escape from Alcatraz swim in November 2018 to raise money for Warwick Hospital's cancer unit.

Neil has only been ice swimming for a few years (image supplied)

He then raised money for the Epilepsy Society by swimming with a group across the largest lakes in England Scotland and Wales in one day (Loch Lomond, Derwent Water and Bala).

After getting more into outdoor swimming over lockdown, he set his target on representing Great Britain in ice swimming.

Neil received training from Caroline (who won three silver medals) from the Outdoor Swimming Company at Cliff Lakes. He also using the outdoor pool at Ardencote Hotel over November and December with his training partner Deborah Crombie who also claimed a bronze.

Supported by his wife Donna, who also went over to cheer him on, and several swim friends, his family, friends and colleagues back home all cheered him on via the live YouTube channel.

"It's still sinking in, beating my PB, winning bronze at a world championships, it has been a fantastic experience," Neil said.

"All the support I've received from the outdoor company, ardencote, swimears as well as family and friends has been incredible."

Neil beat his personal best time to bring home the medal (image supplied)