Swim across the Atlantic

[Stephenite]

Has anyone heard about this before?

Someone, a Ben Hooper, has just begun the very first attempt to swim from Africa to South America.

There's live tracking, etc available on his website - http://www.swimthebigblue.com/

Incredible!

 

[Stephenite]

Just watched a couple of his videos on the webpage. He has a sublime technique.

He updates on FB for those inclined.

 

[uphillstruggler]

and I thought my 1k for sport relief was an achievement.

I hope this goes well

 

[Dogtrousers]

How many lengths is that?

 

[psmiffy]

How many lengths is that?

4 months worth I read - doing about 11miles a day at the moment - so say 745 lengths of a 25m pool per day - it is and is going to be an amazing feat of stamina - but to my mind meaningless compared to the shorter continuous swim records

 

[Drago]

Presumably he won't be doing it in one solid stint?

 

[Dayvo]

Read about him last winter when I was impressed with my 4-5 kilometre swims. I do quite a bit of open water swimming every winter but, at most, I'm only about 250 yards from the beach.

If it goes according to plan, it'll take him 140 days, doing between 10-12 hours a day.

There's sharks, jellyfish, other curious marine life, tankers, sun, heat, waves, wind, currents, storms and lightening to contend with. And the solitude, although he's said that the solitude of long-distance swimming is successful therapy for his depression.

Good luck to him.

 

[Stephenite]

For anyone who wants to 'sea' his progress. Use this page. There is something wrong with the tracker on his wrist, apparently. So you have to ignore the swimmer symbol, and 'so many days since last update', and follow the boat symbol.

...or he's drinking martinis in a jacuzzi and laughing at us.

 

[greekonabike]

Maybe he's doing a Ray Mars? Someone films him getting in the ocean and swimming a bit and then he gets back in the support boat and only comes out when they need a bit of footage.

GOAB

 

[jefmcg]

Maybe he's doing a Ray Mars?

I didn't get this so I googled "Ray Mars cheating"

Google told me you meant Ray Mears (doh!), but you really meant Bear Grylls.

 

[greekonabike]

That's exactly what I meant.

GOAB

 

[screenman]

I swam 2k a day 5 days on the run last week, then I needed a couple of days off, guess that makes me a wimp, compared to this guy.

I certainly wish him all the best and will follow with interest.

 

[Ian A]

I swam 2k a day 5 days on the run last week, then I needed a couple of days off, guess that makes me a wimp, compared to this guy.

I certainly wish him all the best and will follow with interest.

Pretty much what I was about to type. That's a pretty special achievemention if he pulls it off.

 

[oldwheels]

There is a bridge over the Atlantic. Just south of Oban to Easdale Island. At low water springs you could probably wade!

 

[Ed Phelan]

Wow, that's impressive. I'd love to achieve something similar to this one day. With the right support around and a mindset that tells you, you can do it, I can't think of anything more rewarding!