Escaping the summer heat in a cool stream is the perfect way for many to spend a sunny weekend afternoon.
While some of us will dip our toes in the water, very few will be fully immersed in a river – and even fewer will ride it down in a rubber ring.
This is exactly how Seano Mac spent his Sunday (July 18) afternoon drifting nearly four miles down the Goyt River.
READ MORE: Parking lots full of crowds flocking to Dovestone Reservoir for some sunshine
From Marple, Seano made it close to Woodbank Park on his five-hour water odyssey – and has video evidence to tell the story.
What makes Seano’s – real name Sean McDonnell – adventure even less likely is that he says it was a spontaneous decision.
“Me and a friend of mine go near Chadkirk and sit by the river and watch nature,” the 32-year-old told the Manchester Evening News.
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“My girlfriend is on vacation at the moment and usually drives us, but I thought I would go there.
“I got a little lost along the way, I was about a mile upriver from my normal seat, so I figured I could float back to where I started.
“Then I thought I can go to Stockport.”
Portwood’s Seano didn’t quite make it all the way to the Merseyway, but did manage to grab the attention of passers-by.
“A lot of people saw me floating on the trip,” he said, “nobody believed me, but some found the video online and thought it was a crash.
“As I was walking around that ridge, there was a moment and I could hear people talking. It was a man and a woman drinking a romantic beer.
“They looked at me and I thought I had to say something, so I said, ‘Hi, I’m here to talk about your auto insurance guarantee,’ which made her laugh.”
Seano came back from his trip with two broken toes and bruises on his back.
A map showing where Seano started (blue dot) and ended (red dot)
(Image: Seano Mac / Google Maps)
He also accepts that the expedition “does not” [be] the best idea ever ”- since he cannot swim.
The Canal and Rivers Trust strongly advises against getting in the water as there are too many risks that cannot be seen beneath the surface.
These include disease, hidden depths and cold temperatures.
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