The world is covered 70% with water … presenting almost unlimited opportunities to do unprecedented open water swims.

Swim from point a to point B, swim across a lake, swim around an island, swim between two islands or across in a channel…outside of the usual waterways like the English Channel or the Rottnest Channel…and it may be that you will become the first person in recorded human history to do that particular swim.

What possibilities are there?

If you consider an island nation like Japan has over 3,000 islands – many of them uninhabited but accessible by boat – the possibilities start become endless. Research the possibilities, plan the logistics, study the obstacles, train and then set off on your own history-making adventure.

Other than Japan, what other island nations offer some unprecedented waterways to conquer and establish your mark on open water swimming history? Here is a short list below:

- Antigua and Barbuda has 37 islands
- Australia has 8,222 islands
- Bahamas has more than 3,000 islands, cays, and islets
- Bahrain has 33 islands
- Barbados is a 34 km long island
- Brunei is located on the north coast of the island of Borneo
- Cape Verde is a cluster of ten islands and eight islets
- Comoros has 4 main islands and many islets
- Cuba about 4,195 keys (cayos) and islets
- Cyprus has 3 islands
- Dominica has 5 islands
- Dominican Republic has many small islands and cays
- East Timor has 3 islands
- Federated States of Micronesia has about 607 islands
- Fiji has 322 islands (106 inhabited) and 522 smaller islets
- Granada has 7 islands
- Indonesia has 17,508 islands, about 6,000 of which are inhabited
- Ireland has hundreds of small islands

And there are innumerable other opportunities around the world.

Copyright © 2012 by Open Water Source.  Used by permission.

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Chris and Penny have knocked off yet another channel in the Hawaiian islands.

Yesterday, they completed the first of their planned 2011 swims, the Alalakeiki Channel from Kaho’olawe to Maui, a distance of 7 miles (11.5K). “We started from Ule Point on the northeast side of Kaho’olawe and were greeted by schools of pelagic fish next to a sheer 200-foot wall drop off, making for a spectatular start with a back drop of the massive rugged cliffs of Kaho’olawe,” explained Molokai Channel record holder Chris.

“The conditions were calm at the start, with surprisingly warm 25°C (77°F ) water. It was ideal for swimming.” But it is rare in Hawaii that a swim remains perfect throughout the entire distance – there are always obstacles. “Maybe the warm water brought in the jellyfish as we received regular stings throughout the swim. Despite relatively calm conditions, there was a very strong cross current which quickly carried us south, forcing us to battle up hill for the last half of the swim, with our pace slowing to a slow crawl.”

Penny finished in 5:07 and Chris two minutes later on soft beautiful sand at Makena Beach on south Maui.

Since the Alalakeiki Channel was first crossed in 1977 by Bill Lawrence and Solomon Fernandez, there have been 12 crossings by eight people. Of these, only 3 men have swum in the direction we did. The last crossing before today was in 2006.

The Palfrey‘s channel record in Hawaii stands at 7 – with a few more channels planned for the upcoming week:

1. Penny in the Alenuihaha Channel from the Big Island to Maui in 14:51
2. Penny in the Maui Channel from Maui to Lanai in 4:31
3. Penny in the Alalakeiki Channel from Kaho’olawe to Maui in 5:07
4. Chris in the Molokai Channel from Molokai to Oahu in 12:53
5. Chris in the Pailolo Channel from Maui to Molokai in 5:41
6. Chris in the Maui Channel from Maui to Lanai in 4:31
7. Alalakeiki Channel in the Kaho’olawe to Maui in 5:09

Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source.  Used by permission.

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Swim Vacation, a growing open water swimming vacation provider with package deals from the Caribbean Sea to the northeast U.S.A., is offering a Maine Lakes Experience on July 13th-16th.

Founder George ‘Hopper’ McDonough explains, “We found a small island on a pristine lake with cozy waterfront cabins, fabulous food, and a family-friendly atmosphere; the ideal place for a mid-summer swimming vacation.”

By the looks of the Great Pond and the well-earned reputation that Hopper and his fellow swim guides are developing, the Great Pond is one of those idyllic locations for mid-summer open water swimming.

Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source.  Used by permission.

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The “Race for the Conch” Eco-Sea Swim took place in the crystal-clear turquoise waters of Grace Bay on the island of Providenciales in Turks & Caicos. It is the third race in the West Indies Swim Series that also includes open water races in Nevis, St. John (USVI), and Trinidad.”

Big red starfish, huge conch shells, and eagle rays gliding along the sea floor distracted visitors, but not the locals who are accustomed to swimming in the natural aquarium.

The event offered 100m, 1-mile and 2.4-mile swims that were started by the distinct blowing of a conch shell.

Awards were locally carved and polished conch shells distributed at sunset on the beach followed by a beach party with local music.

International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honour Swimmer Marcos Diaz from the Dominican Republic blazed across the finish arch on the beach in 42:20 to earn his second consecutive 2.4-mile victory. Americans Wally Dicks and Sean Crockett finished second and third respectively.

Dan Redmond, a local from the United Kingdom stormed in at 20:28 to take first in the 1-mile race followed by Clay Britt and Eric Erenstoft.

The women’s 1-mile race was tight as American Ann Lobello ran across the finish arch in 27:03 to take first, edging out Kerin Crockett by two seconds. Providenciales resident from the UK Nicola Jordan, took third.

In the creative twist, the 1 mile Resort Cup where 3-person teams from the island hotels compete for their own special conch trophy. Regent Palms had the fastest time to win for the second straight year.

Race directors Ben Stubenberg and Chloe Zimmermann pointed out how gratifying it is to get repeat swimmers from the US, Canada and other parts of the Caribbean as well as see a strong showing by locals. “It’s especially fun to have tourists discover the race after arriving on vacation and signing up on the beach on race day.”

This year the race committee sponsored the participation of two Haitian fire fighters for the 1-mile race. It was the first time anyone from Haiti has swum in an organized open water competition. Stubenberg and Zimmermann are committed to improving swimming capabilities of Haitians, particularly among firefighters to support marine rescue operations.

The next “Race for the Conch” is July 6th, 2013. Fore more information on the event and their programs, visit www.ecoseaswim.com.

Photo above by www.eyespice.com.

Copyright © 2012 by Open Water Source.  Used by permission.

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TURKS & CAICOS. Ben Stubenberg, Co-Race Director of the Turks & Caicos Race for the Conch Eco-SeaSwim that is part of the West Indies Bluewater Ocean Swim Series, announced, possibly, the world’s first exclusive open water swimming zone in an ocean.

It is certainly the first exclusively designated open water swimming zone in the Caribbean Sea. “In 2012, we will be putting in the first open water swimming training zone in front of one of the Alexandra Hotel in Provo during the second week of January.

The idea is to provide a safe, cordoned area, in a triangular configuration, where swimmers can practice their open water swimming skills between measured buoys in the sea,” explained Ben.

Based on the guidance received from the Turks & Caicos Department of Environment and Coastal Resources, Ben is anchoring the buoys in an environmentally friendly manner by using special pins that will be augered into the sand. “There will be no more cement blocks and I specially ordered cylindrical yellow polyurethane buoys from a small manufacturer in British Columbia, Canada.

The intention is to give swimmers a safe environment to practice all open water swimming skills while measuring the distance they have covered. The whole idea was born out of frustration at not being able to get in a good swim workout while on vacation without risking being hit by a boat. It is especially great to see the Sports Commission and the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources’ support of open water swim training and racing in Turks & Caicos..”

With this exclusive open water swimming zone, Caicu Naniki (meaning “island reef where the festive spirit lives”) will offer half-day swim safaris that will give swimmers an opportunity to swim along the nearby cays or out to the reef while being closely followed by a boat and kayak. “This is another way to get in a good workout,” explained Ben who is also president of the Turks & Caicos Islands Swim Federation. “Swimmers can test themselves in open water conditions for a particular time or distance while enjoying the turquoise water and nice beaches. A 45-foot charter catamaran will provide special swim charters through the Caicos Cays.”

Photo shows the start of the Race for the Conch Eco-SeaSwim.

Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source.  Used by permission.

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