Open Water Source

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World Marathon Swimming Records

The list below is a list of the marathon swimming records over 10 kilometers – done without
wetsuits and according to traditional English Channel swimming rules. With over 70% of the
Earth covered in water, the number of records and locations to swim are numerous and
potentially endless.

If you know of additional records or new records that have been set anywhere in the world,
please email the name of the world record holder, their country, date (month, day and year),
location, distance and official time to Open Water Source.

RECORDS IN EUROPE

North (Irish) Channel (21 miles between Ireland and Scotland)

First Crossing: Tom Blower (England), 27 July 1947, 15:26
Fastest Ireland-Scotland Crossing: Alison Streeter (Great Britain), 9:53
Fastest Scotland-Ireland Crossing: Alison Streeter (Great Britain), 10:02

English Channel (between England and France)

Queen of English Channel: Alison Streeter (UK), 43 crossings
King of English Channel: Kevin Murphy (UK), 34 crossings
Fastest Crossing (England/France): Petar Stoychev (Bulgaria), 2007, 6:57.50
Fastest Crossing (France/England): Richard Davey (UK), 1988, 8:05
Fastest Female Crossing (England/France): Yvetta Hlavacova (Czech Republic), 2006, 7:25
Fastest Female Crossing (France/England): Alison Streeter (UK), 1989, 8:48
Oldest Male Crossing: George Brunstad (USA), 2004, 70 years and 4 days, 15:59
Oldest Female Crossing: Sue Oldham (Australia), 2010, 65 years, 17:11
Youngest Boy Crossing: Thomas Gregory (UK), 1988, 11 years 11 months, 11:54
Youngest Girl Crossing: Samantha Druce (UK), 1983, 12 years 118 days, 15:27
Longest Time for Solo Crossing: Jackie Cobell (Great Britain), 2010, 28:44
Longest Time for 2-way Crossing: Antonio Abertondo (Argentina), 1961, 43:10
Fastest 2-way Crossing (England-France-England): Philip Rush (New Zealand), 1987, 16:10
Fastest 2-way Crossing (France-England-France): Philip Rush (New Zealand), 1987, 20:26

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Fastest 2-way Woman Crossing: Susie Maroney (Australia), 1991, 17:14

Fastest 2-way Woman Crossing (France-England-France): Alison Streeter, 1990, 24:04
Fastest 3-way Crossing (England-France-England-France): Philip Rush, (New Zealand),
1987, 28:21
First woman 3-way Crossing (England-France-England-France): Alison Streeter (UK), 1990,
34:40
First 3-way Crossing (England-France-England-France): Jon Erikson (USA), 1981, 38:27
Fastest Breaststroke Crossing: Frederik Jaques (Belgium), 2005, 13:31
Fastest Butterfly Crossing: Dr. Julie Bradshaw MBE, (UK), 2002, 14:18
Fastest Backstroke Crossing: Tina Neill, (USA), 2005, 13:22

Round Jersey Island (41 miles, British Channel Island)

First Solo Circumnavigation: Denize le Pennec (Jersey), 1969, 13:55
Fastest Solo Circumnavigation: 2010 Nick Adams (Great Britain), 2010, 9:51
Fastest Female Solo Circumnavigation: Alison Streeter (Great Britain), 1989, 9:53.47
Oldest Solo Circumnavigation: 60-year-old Jean-Paul Madelenat (France), 2002, 11:46.46

Jersey Island to France Solo (18 miles)

First Channel Crossing: Denize Le Pennec (Jersey), 1966, 9:25
Fastest Channel Crossing: Nick Adams (Great Britain), 2008, 7:03
Fastest Female Channel Crossing: Alison Wood (Jersey), 2010, 8:07

Round Guernsey (28 miles, British Channel Island)

First Solo Circumnavigation: Alison Horsfall, 1998, 9:39.53min
Fastest Solo Circumnavigation: Richard Flambard, 1999, 9:06

Round Alderney (6 miles, British Channel Island)

First Solo Circumnavigation: Alison Horsfall, 2000, 43:03

Sark to Guernsey
First Solo Circumnavigation: Richard Flambard, 1990, 4:57.5

Guernsey to Jersey

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First Crossing: Ruth Oldham (Jersey), 1962, 15:15

Falmouth Harbour (12K, Falmouth – St Mawes – Penryn – Falmouth, England)

First Crossing: Ken Brewer (Great Britain) 1969, 3:24:14
Fastest Crossing: Ken Brewer (Great Britain) 1969, 3:24:14
Fastest Female Crossing: Willy van Rysal (Netherlands) 1969, 4:24:00

Strait of Gibraltar (between Spain and Morocco)

First Crossing: Mercedes Gleitze (Great Britain), 4 May 1928, 12:50
First Male Crossing: David Eulogio Carpio Massiotti (Peru), 22 July 1948, 9:20
Fastest Crossing: Georgios Charcharis (Greece), 2009, 2:16
Fastest Female Crossing: Penny Palfrey (Australia), 2010, 3:03
Fastest Double Crossing: Mateo Pesquer Campos (Spain), 2006, 7:55
Fastest Female Double Crossing: Penny Palfrey (Australia), 2010, 8:27
Oldest Male Swimmer: 77-year-old David Eulogio Carpio Massiotti (Peru), 1987, 7:34
Oldest Female Swimmer: 64-year-old Carol Sing (USA), 2005, 5:27
King of the Strait: Pere Estatuet Llorens (Spain) and Antonio Gil Bravo (Spain), both with 8
crossings

Lake Zürich International Self-Transcendence Marathon Swim (26.4K, Switzerland)

Fastest Crossing from Rapperswil to Zürich, Switzerland: Maarouf Mohamed (Egypt), 5:51

Isle of Wight to Southampton (15K from Cowes to Southampton, Great Britain)

First Crossing: Ken Brewer (Great Britain), 7 October 1973, 6:33

Bristol Channel (8 – 23 miles between England and Wales)

First Crossing between Penarth to Weston-super-Mare (8.5 miles): Kathleen Thomas (Great
Britain), 5 September 1927, 7:20
First Crossing between Ilfracombe (Devon, England) to Caswell Bay (Swansea, Wales) (23
nautical miles): Gethin Jones (Great Britain), 12 September 2009, 21:39:34

Koroni – Kalamata 30K Marathon Swim (Greece)

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Fastest Crossing: Ian van der Hulst (Netherlands), 2010, 6:32:00

Fastest Female Crossing: Mouala Homan (Syria), 1998, 7:00:00

Kalamata – Koroni – Kalamata 60K Marathon Swim (Greece)

Fastest Crossing: Jay Benner (USA), 2000, 14:26:00
Fastest Female Crossing: Psiloginou Sophia (Greece), 2004, 23:03:00

Sognefjord (Norway)
First Staged Swim: Lewis Pugh (Great Britain), August 2004, 204K over 21 days

IJsselmeermarathon Stavoren – Medemblik (22K, the Netherlands)

Fastest Crossing: Maarten van der Weijden (Netherlands), 2004, 4:20.58
Fastest Female Crossing: Etta van der Weijden (Netherlands), 1996, 4:33.08
Fastest Breaststroke Crossing: Paul Oudendijk (Netherlands), 2009, 6:48.30
King of the IJsselmeermarathon: Joost Kuijlaars (Netherlands), 20 crossings
Queen of the IJsselmeermarathon: Irene van der Laan (Netherlands), 14 crossings

Cork City to Myrtleville (25K, Ireland)

First Crossing: 2009: Owen O’Keefe (Ireland), 2009

Dingle Bay (24K from Duluos to Slea Head, Ireland)

First Crossing: Kevin Murphy (Great Britain) 2007

Valentia Island Swim (27K, Ireland)

First Circumnavigation: Ned Denison (USA/Ireland) 2008

KIlmacsimon (from Bandon River to The Dock to Speckled Door (23K, Ireland)
First Swim: Danny Coholan and Imelda Lynch (Ireland) 2006

Skellig Michael to Portmagee (19K, Ireland)

First Crossing: Rob Bohane (Ireland) 2007

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Crosshaven to Blackrock Village (18K, Ireland)

First Crossing: Ray Terry (Ireland) 2007

Cobh Island (23K, Ireland)

First Circumnavigation: Ned Denison (USA/Ireland) 2006

Fastnet to Schull (20K, Ireland)

First Crossing: Stephen Redmond (Ireland) 2009

Cork to Cobh (16K, Ireland)

First Crossing: Ned Denison, John Downes, Tadhg Harrington, Ciaran Byrne, Fergal
Somerville and Linda Clarke (Ireland), 2009

Cape Clear to Schull (11.8K, Ireland)

First Crossing: Stephen Redmond (Ireland) 2009

Reengaroga Island (10.5K, Ireland)

First Circumnavigation: Steve Black (Ireland) 2010

Aran Islands to Galway (Ireland)

First Crossing: Felim Ó Maoláin (Ireland) 2002, 15:00

Tory Island to Maeroarty (14K, Ireland)

First Crossing: Dermot Duffy (Ireland) 1996, 5:25
First Female Crossing: Anne McAdam (Ireland) 2003, 6:57

Clew Bay (12K, Ireland)

Fastest Crossing: Owen Sisk (Ireland) 2003, 5:14

Boffin Swim (11.5K, Ireland)

Fastest Crossing: Colm O’Neill (Ireland) 2000, 2:45

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Capel Island into Youghal Bay (11K, Ireland)

First Crossing: Mairead Ni Eidhin (Ireland) 2006

Killary Fjord (19.3K, Ireland)

Fastest Crossing: Ronan Joyce (Ireland) 6:27

Aeolian Islands to Sicily (22.5K, Italy)

Fastest 22.5K Crossing from Vulcano to Milazzo: Giuseppe Nicosia (Italy), 5:27:07
Fastest 21K Crossing from Vulcano to Capo Calavà: Nino Fazio (Italy), 5:35:05
Fastest 22K Female Crossing from Vulcano - Capo Calavà: Cristina Scotto (Italy), 5:37:02

Lake Windermere (10.5 miles between Fellfoot and Waterhead, England)

Fastest Crossing: Justin Palfrey (Great Britain), 1997, 3:48:04
Fastest Female Crossing: Sara Ward (Great Britain), 1996 3:53:30
Fastest Breaststroke Crossing: Chris Partington (Great Britain), 1991, 5:56:18
Fastest Female Breaststroke Crossing: Heather Macdonald (Great Britain), 1996, 6:27:36
Fastest Butterfly Crossing: Dr. Julie Bradshaw, MBE (Great Britain), 1991, 6:07:29
First Three-way Crossing: Michael Read (Great Britain), 1972, 19:34 (31.5 miles)
Fastest Three-way Crossing: Michael Read (Great Britain), 1972, 19:34 (31.5 miles)
First Female Three-way Crossing: Dr. Julie Bradshaw, MBE (Great Britain), 1980, 20:17 (31.5
miles)
First Four-way Crossing: Michael Read (Great Britain), 1973, 26:03 (42 miles)
First Female Four-way Crossing: Dr. Julie Bradshaw, MBE (Great Britain), 1981, 23:17 (42
miles)
Fastest Four-way Crossing: Dr. Julie Bradshaw, MBE (Great Britain), 1981, 23:17 (42 miles)
Most Crossings: Michael Read (Great Britain), 39 crossings

Lough Erne (10.5 miles in Ireland)

First Butterfly Crossing: Dr. Julie Bradshaw, MBE (Great Britain), 2006, 5:41

Lake Bala (6.5 miles in Wales)

First Butterfly Crossing: Dr. Julie Bradshaw, MBE (Great Britain), 2006, 5:02

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Coniston (11 miles in England)

First Butterfly Two-way Crossing: Dr. Julie Bradshaw, MBE (Great Britain), 2000, 8:42

Ullswater (7.25 miles in England)

First Butterfly Crossing: Dr. Julie Bradshaw, MBE (Great Britain), 1996, 4:29

Croatian International Long Distance Swimming Championship (19K in Faros, Croatia)

Fastest Female: Linsy Heister (Netherlands), 2010, 3:13:31

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RECORDS IN THE AMERICAS

Catalina Channel
Women’s Fastest Solo Crossing (Mainland-to-Catalina): Penny Lee Dean (USA), 1
September 1976, 7:15:55
Men’s Fastest Solo Crossing (Mainland-to-Catalina): Pete Huisveld (USA), 1992, 7:37:31
Women’s Fastest Solo Crossing (Catalina-to-Mainland): Karen Burton (USA), 1994, 7:43:06
Men’s Fastest Solo Crossing (Catalina-to-Mainland): Todd Robinson (USA), 2009, 8:05:44
Women’s Fastest Double Crossing (Catalina-Mainland-Catalina): Penny Lee Dean (USA), 4
September 1977, 20:03:17
Men’s Fastest Double Crossing (Mainland-Catalina-Mainland): John York (USA), 21
September 1978, 16:42
Women’s Fastest Double Crossing (Mainland-Catalina-Mainland): Tina Neill (USA), 22:02:46
Fastest Circumnavigation of Catalina Island: Cindy Cleveland (USA), 24 hours
Most Crossings, Male: John York (USA), 6
Most Crossings, Female: Tina Neill (USA), 4
Oldest Male Swimmer: 62-year-old Bob West (USA)
Oldest Female Swimmer: 56-year-old Barbara Held (USA), 17 August 2010, 9:36:53
Youngest Swimmer, Boy: Andy Taylor (USA), 6 September 1972, 12 years
Youngest Swimmer, Girl: Stacy Frezonki (USA), 14 years
Fastest Backstroke Crossing: Tina Neill (USA), 25 July 2008, 10:37
Fastest Butterfly Crossing: Vicki Keith (Canada), 23 September 1989, 14:53:26
Fastest Breaststroke Crossing: Jason Lassen (USA), 30 September 2010, 15:59

Lake Ontario (minimum of 45K in Canada)

First Crossing: Marilyn Bell (Canada), 9 September 1954, 20:55
Fastest Crossing (50K): John Kinsella (USA), 16 August 1978, 13:49
Fastest Female Crossing: Cindy Nicholas (Canada), 17 August 1974, 15:10
Oldest Male Crossing: Bill Sadlo (USA), 23 August 1957, 25:01
Oldest Female Crossing: 54-year-old Colleen Shields (Canada), 13 August 2006, 16:30:17
Youngest Male Crossing: 19-year-old Gregg Taylor (Canada), 14 August 2003, 19:23
Youngest Female Crossing: 15-year-old Jade Scognamillo (Canada), 1 August 2009,

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19:59:49

Lake Tahoe (width and lengthwise, California, U.S.A.)

First Crossing Male and First North – South Crossing: Fred Rogers (USA), age 29, 21 July
1955, 19:06 for 19.96 miles from Kings Beach to Bijou
Youngest Crossing Male: Fred Rogers (USA), age 29, 21 July 1955, 19:06 for 19.96 miles
from Kings Beach to Bijou (North - South)
Fastest Overall Crossing: Dave Kenyon (USA), age 35, 12 September 1987, 9:20 for 20.81
miles from Tahoe Keys to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village, Nevada (South - North)
First Male South – North Crossing: Dave Kenyon (USA), 12 September 1987, 9:20 for 20.81
miles from Tahoe Keys to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village, Nevada (South - North)
First Crossing Female: Mrytle Huddleston (USA), age 34, 23 August 1931, 22:58 for 10.48
miles from Deadman's Point to Tahoe City (East - West)
Fastest Crossing Female: Catheryne Diprete (USA), age 44, 30 September 2007, 10:14 for
21.091 miles from Tahoe Keys to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village, Nevada (South - North)
Oldest Crossing Female: Catheryne Diprete (USA), age 44, 30 September 2007, 10:14 for
21.091 miles from Tahoe Keys to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village, Nevada (South - North)
Youngest Crossing Female: Lenore Modell (USA), age 13, 6 October 1963, 13:34 for 20.49
miles from Tahoe Keys to Kings Beach (South - North)
First Longest Distance Crossing Female: Karen Rogers (USA), age 42, 12 August 2009,
10:50 for 22.1 miles from Camp Richardson, California to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village,
Nevada (South - North)
Fastest Longest Distance Crossing Female: Patti Bauernfeind (USA), age 42, 28 August
2009, 10:39:38 for 22.1 miles from Camp Richardson, California to Hyatt Beach in Incline
Village, Nevada (South - North)
Oldest Crossing Male Kevin Murphy (Great Britain), age 54, 24 July 2003, 13:56 for 20.67
miles from Pope Beach to Kings Beach (South - North):
Oldest Crossing Male: Tom Linthicum (USA), age 51, 16 August 2009, 17+ hours for 22.1
miles from Hyatt Beach in Incline Village, Nevada to Camp Richardson, California (North -
South)
First Longest Distance Crossing Male: Ken Harmon (USA), age 45, 22 August 2005, 11:19 for
22.1 miles from Camp Richardson, California to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village, Nevada (South
- North)
Fastest Longest Distance Crossing Male: Ken Harmon (USA) 45, 22 August 2005, 11:19
minutes for 22.1 miles from Camp Richardson, California to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village,
Nevada (South - North)
Fastest Longest Distance Crossing Male (North - South): Clark Bird (USA), age 39, 22 August
2010, 13:23 for 22.1 miles from Camp Richardson, California to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village,
Nevada (North - South)

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Kingdom Swim (Lake Memphremagog, Vermont, U.S.A.)

Overall 10-mile Course: Rondi Davies (Australia), 24 July 2010, 3:56:49

Lake Winnipesaukee (22 miles, New Hampshire, U.S.A.)

Oldest Person to Cross: 76-year-old George Brunstad (USA), 26 August 2010, 22:00

Clarence Strait (15 miles, Alaska, U.S.A.)

Fastest Crossing: Michelle Macy (USA), 2010, 6:36
First Crossing: Michelle Macy (USA), 2010, 6:36

Pennock Island Challenge (13K, Alaska, U.S.A.)

First Circumnavigation: William Schultz (USA), 11 July 2004, 3:10
Fastest Circumnavigation: Sean Seaver (USA), 2005, 2:36
Fastest Female Circumnavigation: Michelle Macy (USA), 2008, 3:16

Sitka Sound (13K, Alaska, U.S.A.)

First Crossing: Claudia Rose (USA), 21 August, 2009, 4:36

Monterey Bay Crossing (25 – 28 miles, California, U.S.A.)

First Crossing: Cindy Cleveland (USA), 17 September 1980, 15:21:18

Santa Barbara Channel (California, U.S.A.)

First Channel Crossing from Mainland to Anacapa Island (10.8 nautical miles): Cindy
Cleveland (USA), 1978
First Channel Crossing from Anacapa Island to Mainland (10.8 nautical miles): Cindy
Cleveland (USA), 1978
First Double-Channel Crossing (Anacapa-Mainland-Anacapa, 21.6 nautical miles): Cindy
Cleveland (USA), 1978
First Channel Crossing from Santa Cruz Island to Mainland (16.5 nautical miles): David
Yudovin (USA), 1983, 15:15
Fastest Channel Crossing from Santa Cruz Island to Mainland (16.5 nautical miles): Ned
Denison (USA/Ireland), 2006, 10:27
First Channel Crossing between Anacapa Island and Santa Cruz Island (4 nautical miles):
Scott Zornig (USA), 2007, 2:18
First Female Channel Crossing between Santa Rosa Island and Santa Cruz Island (5 nautical

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miles): Penny Palfrey (Australia), 2008, 2:30

First Male Channel Crossing between Santa Rosa Island and Santa Cruz Island (5 nautical
miles): Chris Palfrey (Australia), 2008.
First San Miguel Channel Crossing from San Miguel to Mainland (22.6 nautical miles): Penny
Palfrey (Australia), 26 September 2008, 11:29:46
Fastest San Miguel Channel Crossing from San Miguel to Mainland: Penny Palfrey
(Australia), 26 September 2008, 11:29:46
First Channel Crossing from Santa Barbara Island to Mainland (38 miles): Penny Palfrey,
2009, 17:53
First Channel Crossing from Santa Rosa Island to Mainland (Goleta, 23.8 nautical miles):
Mark Lewis (USA), 17 July 2008, 15:46

Boston Harbor (Massachusetts, U.S.A.)

First Crossing (10 miles): Louis Jacot (USA), 1907
Fastest Crossing (8 miles): David Alleva (USA), 1996, 2:23.03
Fastest Female Crossing (8 miles): Elizabeth Mancuso (USA), 2010, 2:42.15
Fastest Double Crossing (16 miles): Elaine Kornbau Howley and Greg O’Connor (USA),
2010, 7:07

Manhattan Island Marathon Swim (28.5 miles, New York, U.S.A.)

First Circumnavigation: 18-year-old Robert Dowling (USA), 1915, 13:45
First Female Circumnavigation: Ida Elionsky (USA), 24 September 1916, 11:35
Fastest Circumnavigation: Shelley Taylor-Smith (Australia), 1995, 5:45
Fastest Male Circumnavigation: Kristian Rutford (USA), 1992, 5:53:57
First Male Reverse Circumnavigation: Kristian Rutford (USA), 1995, 17:48
Fastest Reverse Circumnavigation (clockwise direction): Elizabeth Fry (USA), 2009, 11:41

Ederle Swim (17.5 miles from New York to New Jersey, U.S.A.)
Fastest Swim: Tammy Van Wisse (Australia), 21 July 2006, 5:06
Fastest Male Swim: Lance Ogren (USA), 23 October 2010, 5:10

Traversée internationale du lac St-Jean (Quebec, Canada)

Fastest 32K Crossing: Stéphane Lecat (France), 6:22
Fastest 64K Crossing: Paul Asmuth (USA), 17:06

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Bear Lake (19 miles, on the border of Utah and Idaho, U.S.A.)
First Crossing: John Quackenbush (USA), 2009, 15:00
Fastest Crossing: James Jonsson (USA), 2010, 8:53

Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island to Saltair (6.55 miles, Utah, U.S.A.)
First Crossing: C.S. Leaf (USA), 1919, 2:28.27
Fastest Crossing: Orson Spencer (USA), 1927, 2:20

Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island to Black Rock Beach (8.12 miles, Utah, U.S.A.)
First Crossing: Orson Spencer (USA), 1937, 3:40.52
Fastest Crossing: Gordon Gridley (USA), 11 September 2010, 3:24.37

RiverFest Endurance Swim (11.7 miles, Oregon, U.S.A.)

Fastest Swim: Michelle Macy (USA), 20 August 2010, 5:18:40
Fastest Male Swim: Ron Thompson (USA), 20 August 2010, 6:02:13
Oldest Female: 49-year-old Joni Young (USA), 20 August 2010, 6:07:39
Oldest Male: 55-year-old Keith Dow (USA), 20 August 2010, 6:41:26

Tampa Bay Marathon Swim (24 miles, Tampa Bay, Florida)

First Crossing: Ron Collins (USA), 15 April 1998
Fastest Crossing: Chris Derks (USA), 20 April 2001, 7:41:38
Fastest Female Crossing: Penny Palfrey (Australia), 19 April 2008, 7:51:24

Farallones Island Swim (27 miles / 43K in California, U.S.A.)

First Crossing from Farallones Island to Bolinas on California Mainland: Lieutenant Colonel
Stuart Evans (USA), 20 August 1967, 13:44:52

Farallones Island Swim (30 miles / 48K in California, U.S.A.)

First Crossing from Farallones Island to Golden Gate Bridge: Ted Erikson (USA), September
1967, 14:38

King of the Sea (Rei do Mar) (10K, Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

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Fastest Swim: Alexander Studzinski (Germany), 12 December 2010, 1:13:15

Hudson River Marathon Swim (150 miles in New York, U.S.A.)

Fastest Staged Swim from the Albany Yacht Club to Pier A, Battery Park, New York City: Skip
Storch (USA), 15-25 August 2005, 41:30

Chicago Skyline Swim (25 miles, Illinois, U.S.A.)

First Swim: Kevin Murphy (Great Britain), 2002, 23:31 (48.2K or 30 miles from Evanston,
Illinois to Hammond, Indiana)
Fastest Swim: David Blanke, Chris Layton, Marcia Cleveland (USA), 30 July 2008, 12:49

Non-stop Lake Swim (83K, Lake Cane, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A)

Longest Swim: Yuko Matsuzaki (Japan), 12 October 2007, 33:24

Lake Cane Marathon Swim (82K, Lake Cane, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.)
Fastest Swim: Yuko Matsuzaki (Japan), 2006, 29:55

Block Island to Point Judith (10.25 miles, Rhode Island, U.S.A.)

First Crossing: Jim Bayles (USA), 26 July 2005, 5:04

Pollock Rip Channel (11 miles, Cape Code to Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, U.S.A.)
First Crossing: Jim Bayles (USA), 27 July 2004, 5:01:57

Lake Travis Swim (12 miles, Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)

Fastest Crossing: Chris Derks (USA), 2008, 3:46:16

Conanicut Island (Conanicut, Rhode Island, U.S.A.)

First Single Circumnavigation (20.6 miles): Ray Gandy (USA), 2 July 2010
First Double Circumnavigation (41.2 miles): Ray Gandy (USA), 2-3 July 2010, 20:17

Distance Swim Challenge (12.6 miles, Santa Monica, California, U.S.A.)

First Non-wetsuit Swim: Daniel Slosberg (USA), 16 October 2010, 6:04:39
First Female Non-wetsuit Swim: Grace Van der Byl (USA), 16 October 2010, 5:58:00

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Charleston Peninsula (16.25 miles, Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A.)

First Circumnavigation: Kathleen Wilson (USA), 2 October 2010, 6:58

“L” Street Bathhouse to Boston Lighthouse (16 miles, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts,
U.S.A.)
First Two-way Crossing: Greg O’Connor (USA), 12 August 2010, 7:17

North Sound – Rum Point to Morgan’s Harbour (6.2 miles, Cayman Islands)
First Crossing: Alfred Ebanks (Cayman Islands), 28 October 1987, 3:48

Lake Erie - Point Pelee Island, Canada to Cedar Point, Ohio, USA (36 miles)
First Crossing: Dr. Harry Briggs (USA), 1957, 35:55 (32 miles)
Fastest Crossing: John Muenzer (USA), 18-19 August, 1983, 24:12

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RECORDS IN THE PACIFIC

Hawaiian Island Channels (Hawaii, U.S.A.)

First Kaiwi (Molokai) Channel Crossing from Molokai to Oahu: Keo Nakama (USA), 1961 (26
miles)
First Kaiwi (Molokai) Channel Crossing from Oahu to Molokai: Harry Huffaker (USA), 1972
(26 miles)
First Female Kaiwi (Molokai) Channel Crossing from Oahu to Molokai: Robin Isayama (USA),
1994 (26 miles)
Fastest Kaiwi (Molokai) Channel Crossing from Oahu to Molokai: Chris Palfrey (Australia),
April 2010, 12:53 (26 miles)
First Auau Channel (Maui Channel) Crossing from Maui to Lanai: Jim Caldwell (USA), 1970
(9.6 miles)
First Female Auau Channel (Maui Channel) Crossing from Maui to Lanai: Judy Collins (USA),
1977 (9.6 miles)
First Auau Channel (Maui Channel) Crossing from Lanai to Maui: Doug Rice, Steve Bobko,
Gary Niemeyer, Richard Merritt, Bill Goding, Jim Roumasset and Archie Hapai (USA), 1977
(9.6 miles)
First Double Auau Channel (Maui Channel) Crossing from Maui-Lanai-Maui: Peter Attia
(USA), 2008 (19.2 miles)
First Female Kalohi Channel Crossing from Lanai to Molokai: Jody Pollack (USA), 1978 10
miles)
First Male Kalohi Channel Crossing from Lanai to Molokai: Bob Justman (USA), 1978 (10
miles)
First Kalohi Channel Crossing from Molokai to Lanai: Harry Huffaker (USA), 1989 (10 miles)
First Alalakeiki Channel Crossing from Kahoolawe to Maui: Carl Kawauchi (USA), Ulrich
Klinke and Alton Motobu, 1992 (7.5 miles)
First Alalakeiki Channel Crossing from Maui to Kahoolawe: Mike Spalding (USA), (7.5 miles)
First Alalakeiki Channel Crossing from Maui to Kahoolawe: Linda Kaiser (USA), 14 April 2001,
3:30 (7.5 miles)
First Pailolo Channel Crossing from Maui to Molokai: Jim Caldwell (USA), 1973 (11 miles)
First Female Pailolo Channel Crossing from Maui to Molokai: Linda Kaiser (USA), 30
November 1990, 4:47 (11 miles)
First Pailolo Channel Crossing from Molokai to Maui: Carl Kawauchi (USA) 1993
First Alenuihaha Channel Crossing from Hawaii to Maui: Harry Huffaker (USA), 1970
First Female Alenuihaha Channel Crossing from Hawaii to Maui: Penny Palfrey (Australia),

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2009, 14:51
Fastest Alenuihaha Channel Crossing from Hawaii to Maui: Penny Palfrey (Australia), 2009,
14:51
First Kaulakahi Channel Relay Crossing from Kauai to Niihau: Linda Kaiser, Laurie Foster,
Mike Spalding and Tom Robinson (USA), 20 July 2003, 10:45 (17.5 miles)
First Kealaikahiki Channel Relay Crossing from Kahoolawe to Lanai: Linda Kaiser, Laurie
Foster and Mike Spalding (USA), 11 September 2005, 11:53 (18.5 miles)

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RECORDS IN OCEANIA

Cook Strait (16 nautical miles between North and South Islands in New Zealand)
First Man: Barry Devonport (New Zealand), 1963, 11:20
First Woman: Lynne Cox (USA), 1975, 12:07
First Male Double Crossing: Philip Rush (New Zealand), 1984, 16:16
Fastest Male Double Crossing: Philip Rush (New Zealand), 1984, 16:16
First Female Double Crossing: Meda McKenzie (New Zealand), 1984, 23:06
Fastest Single Crossing: Casey Glover (New Zealand), 2008, 4:37
Fastest Crossing South Island – North Island: Denise Anderson (New Zealand), 1986, 5:04
Fastest Female Crossing North Island – South Island: Tammy van Wisse (Australia), 10
March 1999, 6:49
Oldest Female Crossing: 55-year-old Pamela Dickson (New Zealand), 2009, 9:23:10
Oldest Male Crossing: 53-year-old Scott Coleman (USA), 2007, 10:27:32
Youngest Female Crossing: 13-year-old Stephanie Bennington (New Zealand), 2007, 8:10:35
Youngest Male Crossing: 11-year-old Aditya Raut (India), 2005, 9:09

Lake Taupo (42K, New Zealand)

First Crossing: Philip Rush (New Zealand), 1985, 10:14
Fastest Crossing: Philip Rush (New Zealand), 1985, 10:14
Fastest Double Crossing (84K): Philip Rush (New Zealand), 1985, 23:06
Oldest Female Crossing: 56-year-old Pamela Dickson (New Zealand), 18 February 2011,
13:56

Rottnest Channel (19.7K, Western Australia)

First Crossing: Gerd von Dincklage-Schulenburg (Australia), 24 January 1956, 9:45
First Female Crossing: Lesley Meaney (nee Cherriman) (Great Britain), 13 April 1969, 9:35
Fastest Male Crossing: Mark Saliba (Australia), 2000, 4:00:15
Fastest Female Crossing (to Natural Jetty): Tamara Bruce (Australia), 1993, 4:10.03
Fastest Female Crossing (to Thomson Bay): Bronwyn Whitehead (Australia), 2000, 4:25:53
Oldest Crossing: 76.99 year old Dieter Loeliger (Australia), 1996, 9:21.18
Oldest Female Crossing: 65.38 year old Carrol Wannell (Australi), 2009, 8:19.08

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First Male Double Crossing: Peter Tanham (Australia), 1991, 14:08.05

First Female Double Crossing: Barbara Pellick (Australia), 1994, 12:06.12
Youngest Male Crossing: 13 year old V. Kutraleeshwaran (India), 1994, 5:49.56
Youngest Female Crossing: 13 year old Jessica Walker (Australia), 2003, 7:57.32
First Backstroke Crossing: Hamish Osborne (Australia), 2005, 7:22.20
First Breaststroke Crossing: Ian Wallace (Australia), 2001, 9:29.37
First Butterfly Crossing: Philip Martin (Australia), 2001, 9:45.07
Most Crossings by Male: 23 by Peter Tanham (Australia)
Most Crossings by Female: 23 by Barbara Pellick (Australia)

Fiji Swims (19K, Fiji)

Fastest Crossing from Viti Levu (main island) to Beachcomber Island: Michael Sheils
(Australia), 2010, 3:46

Sydney Heads (15K in Australia)

First Swim: Lewis Pugh (Great Britain), January 2006, 6:01

Green Island to Cairns (20 miles in Australia)

First Swim: Eddie Lovelock (Australia), November 1977, 8:33:10
Fastest Swim: Chris Palfrey (Australia), 14 November 2010, 7:54:53

Cairns to Green Island (20 miles in Australia)

First Swim: Eddie Lovelock (Australia), 1 December 1978, 7:34

Tahiti to Moorea (10.7 miles in the South Pacific)

First Non-wetsuit, Non-fin Swim: Cedric Wane, 2009, 6:17
Fastest Swim: Nathaniel Waring (USA), 1 May 2010, 4:57 from the red channel marker at
Punaauia Pass on the red channel market at Vaiare Pass on Moorea on Tahiti’s west coast.

Bondi Beach (48K in Australia)

Fastest Crossing (60 laps across): Chloe McCardel (Australia), 24 April 2011, 11:42
Furthest Crossing (60 laps across): Chloe McCardel (Australia), 24 April 2011, 11:42
First Crossing (50 laps across): Des Renford (Australia)

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RECORDS IN ASIA

Poyang Lake (鄱阳湖 China)

Fastest Crossing: Yu Lixin (China), 2009, 4:30

Fuxianhu Lake (31K, Yunnan Province, China)

First Crossing: Zhang Jian (China), 4 August 2002, 12:01

Ling-Ding Sea (Hong Kong to Macao)

First Crossing: Zhang Jian (China), 22 September 2005, 10:43

Bohai Bay (109K, Guangdong Province, China)

First Crossing: Zhang Jian (China), 10 August 2000, 50:22

Tsugaru Channel (津軽海峡 19.5K between Hokkaido and Honshu in Japan)

First Honshu-Hokkaido Crossing: David Yudovin (USA), 7 July 1990, 13:10
First Hokkaido-Honshu Crossing: Steven Munatones (USA), 30 July 1990, 6:39
First Female Honshu-Hokkaido Crossing: Miyuki Fujita (Japan), 2005, 11:36
Fastest Honshu-Hokkaido Crossing: Steven Munatones (USA), 30 July 1990, 6:11
Fastest Hokkaido-Honshu Crossing: Steven Munatones (USA), 30 July 1990, 6:39
Fastest Female Honshu-Hokkaido Crossing: Miyuki Fujita (Japan), 2005, 11:36
First Double Crossing (Honshu-Hokkaido-Honshu): Steven Munatones (USA), 30 July 1990,
12:50
Fastest Double Crossing (Honshu-Hokkaido-Honshu): Steven Munatones (USA), 30 July
1990, 12:50
First Double Crossing (Hokkaido-Honshu-Hokkaido): Miyuki Fujita (Japan), 2006
First Triple Crossing (Honshu-Hokkaido-Honshu-Hokkaido): Miyuki Fujita (Japan), 2006,
37:24
Fastest Triple Crossing (Honshu-Hokkaido-Honshu-Hokkaido): Miyuki Fujita (Japan), 2006,
37:24

Lake Biwa (琵琶湖 42K, Shiga Prefecture, Japan)

First Crossing: Steven Munatones (USA), July 1989, 10:36

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Yonaguni Island (与那国島 29K, Okinawa, Japan)

First Circumnavigation: Steven Munatones (USA), October 1994, 7:08

Ishigaki Island to Iriomote Island (石垣島から西表島から竹富島 37K, Okinawa, Japan)

First Crossing: Steven Munatones (USA), 1993, 10:16

Five Lakes of Mt. Fuji (14.5K, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan)

First Crossing of Lake Kawaguchi(河口湖), Lake Sai(西湖), Lake Yamanaka(山中湖), Lake
Shoji(精進湖), Lake Motosu(本栖湖): Lynne Cox (USA), 1985
Fastest First Crossing of Lake Kawaguchi(河口湖), Lake Sai(西湖), Lake Yamanaka(山中湖),
Lake Shoji(精進湖), Lake Motosu(本栖湖): Steven Munatones (USA), 3 July 1992, 3:24

Maldive Islands (140K, Republic of Maldives)

First Stage Swim: Lewis Pugh (Great Britain), February 2007, 140K over 10 days

Suruga Bay (10K between Awa Island and Cape Ose in Japan)
First Crossing: Miyuki Fujita (Japan), October 2010, 2:53
Fastest Crossing: Miyuki Fujita (Japan), October 2010, 2:53
First Two-way Crossing: Miyuki Fujita (Japan), 16 November 2010, 8:01
Fastest Two-way Crossing: Miyuki Fujita (Japan), 16 November 2010, 8:01
First Three-way Swim: Miyuki Fujita (Japan), October 2010, 13:06 (2:53 on first 10K leg, 6:00
on second 10K leg, 4:13 on third 10K leg)
Fastest Three-way Swim: Miyuki Fujita (Japan), 16 November 2010, 11:13 (3:00 on first 10K
leg, 5:01 on second 10K leg, 3:12 on third 10K leg)

Oshima to Chigasaki, Tokyo (68K in Japan)

First Crossing: Kazuya Suzuki (Japan), 28 August 2009, 22:06

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RECORDS IN AFRICA

Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)

First Female Crossing: Lynne Cox (USA), 1977 3:03 (8 miles)
First Male Crossing: Lewis Pugh (Great Britain), April 2004, 3:15 (12K)

Cape Agulhas (10K in South Africa)

First Crossing: Lewis Pugh (Great Britain), 7 May 1994, 4:15 (10K)
Fastest Crossing: Erica Moffet (USA), 23 April 2005, 2:16
Fastest Male crossing: Lewis Gordon Pugh (Great Britain), 7 May 1994, 4:15

Lake Malawi (25K, Malawi)

First Crossing: Lewis Pugh (Great Britain) and Otto Thaning (South Africa), January 1992,
9:15 (25K)

Midmar Dam Circumnavigation (42.2K, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa)

First Circumnavigation: Bryon Dillon, age 33 (South Africa), 18 March 2006, 11:37

Robben Island (7.5K to Cape Town, South Africa)

Fastest Double Crossing from Robben Island to Bloubergstrand (15K): Phillip Chappel
(Australia), 6 December 2009, 3:55:56
Fastest Triple Crossing from Robben Island to Bloubergstrand (22.5K): Steven Klugman
(South Africa), 28 February 2003, 6:12
Fastest Crossing from Robben Island to Three Anchor Bay (10.2K): Christof Wandratsch
(Germany), 5 February 2005, 2:11:49
Fastest Female Crossing from Robben Island to Three Anchor Bay (10.2K): Liz Webb (South
Africa), 9 December 2009, 2:41:48
Fastest Double Crossing from Three Anchor Bay to Robben Island (20.4K): Steven Klugman
(South Africa): 3 March 2002, 5:52
Fastest Female Double Crossing from Three Anchor Bay to Robben Island (20.4K): Annemie
Landmeters (Belgium), 16 December 1987, 6:28
Fastest Swim from Three Anchor Bay to Robben Island to Bloubergstrand: Peter Bales
(South Africa): 15 April 1981, 5:43
Youngest Swimmer from Three Anchor Bay to Robben Island to Bloubergstrand: 10-year-old
Aditya Raut (India), 21 June 2004, 6:42

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Fastest Circumnavigation around Robben Island (9.9K): Fastest swim & fastest female:
Carina Bruwer (South Africa), 27 April 2005, 3:07
Fastest Male Circumnavigation around Robben Island (9.9K): Lewis Pugh (Great Britain), 10
July 2004, 3:42
First Two-way Crossing from 3 Anchor Bay, around Robben Island and back to 3 Anchor Bay
(20.5K): Theodore Yach (South Africa), November 2009, 10:39
King of Robben Island (most crossings from Robben Island to Cape Town): Theodore Yach
(South Africa), 59

False Bay (34K in South Africa)

Fastest Crossing from Rooi Els to Miller's Point: Barend Nortje (South Africa), 5 March 2007,
9:33
Fastest Female Crossing from Rooi Els to Simonstown: Annemie Landmeters (Belgium),
1989, 9:56
First Crossing from Rooi Els to Miller’s Point: Steven Klugman (South Africa), 15 February
2004, 14:15

Simonstown to Muizenberg (11K in South Africa)

Fastest Crossing: Annemie Landmeters (Belgium), 10 March 1990, 2:18
Fastest Male Crossing: Steven Klugman (South Africa), 24 January 2004, 2:22
Fastest Double Crossing: Peter Bales (South Africa), 21 March 1972
Fastest Double Crossing: Annemie Landmeters (Belgium), 18 December 1988, 5:17

Nelson Mandela Bay (18K – 22K in South Africa)

Fastest Crossing from Hobie Beach to Bluewater Bay (18K): Kyle Main (South Africa), 2003,
4:00:16
Fastest Crossing from Port of Coega to Hobie Beach (22K): Philip Kuhn (South Africa), 2005,
4:40:30

Danger Point (11K in South Africa)

First Circumnavigation: Carina Bruwer (South Africa), 11 August 2004, 3:16

Cape Peninsula (South Africa)

First Circumnavigation from V&A Waterfront to Muizenberg (100K staged swim): Lewis Pugh
(Great Britain), 28 April - 15 May 2004, 37:20 cumulative time

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Hout Bay (10K from Kommetjie to Hout Bay in South Africa)

Fastest Crossing: Derek Yach (South Africa), 24 February 1990, 2:53
Fastest Female Crossing: Penny Gill (South Africa), 7 June 1992, 4:34

Camps Bay to Robben Island (South Africa)

First Crossing: Theodore Yach (South Africa), 7 May 1994, 5:30

Dialog Across The Seas (20K from Kerkennah to Sfax, Tunisia)

First Crossing: Lt. Colonel Nejib Belhedi (Tunisia), 25 June 1991, 7:24
Fastest Crossing: Ismail Dergaa (Tunisia), 2009, 4:26:30
Fastest Female Crossing: Kouther Khelfaoui (Tunisia), 2009, 4:59:59

Dialog Across The Seas (22K in El Bibane Lake, Tunisia)

First Crossing: Lt. Colonel Nejib Belhedi (Tunisia), 1991
Fastest Crossing: Ezouizer Wassim (Syria), 2010, 5:06:56
Fastest Female Crossing: Nicola Fraser (Great Britain), 2010, 5:27:48

Hammam lif to Sidi Bou (16K in Tunisia)

First Crossing: Lt. Colonel Nejib Belhedi (Tunisia), 30 November 1991, 5:21

La Galite Channel (20K in Tunisia)

First Crossing: Lt. Colonel Nejib Belhedi (Tunisia), 17 July 1999, 7:15

Cap Bon to la Marsa (45K in Tunisia)

First Crossing: Lt. Colonel Nejib Belhedi (Tunisia), 30 May 1992, 11:17

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EXTREME ENDS OF THE EARTH RECORDS

Amazon River, Peru to Brazil (5,450K)

First Stage Swim: Martin Strel (Slovenia), 1 February to 7 April 2007, 5,268K in 66 days from
source to estuary
Fastest Stage Swim: Darko Novovic (Serbia), November 2010, 46 days from source to
estuary

Danube River through European Countries (3,004K)

First Stage Swim: Martin Strel (Slovenia), 25 June to 23 August 2000, 58 days

Danube River from Melk, Austria to Paks, Hungary (504.5K)

First Non-Stop River Swim: Ricardo Hoffman (Argentina), 481.5K, 84 hours and 37 minutes
Longest Non-stop River Swim: Martin Strel (Slovenia), 504.5K, July 2001, 84 hours and 10
minutes

Mississippi River, USA (3,797K)

First Stage Swim: Martin Strel (Slovenia), 4 July to 9 September 2002, 68 days from source to
estuary

Paraná River, Argentina from Iguazzu Falls to Rio de La Plata, Buenos Aires (3,998K)
First Stage Swim: Martin Strel (Slovenia), 15 November to 8 December 2003, 24 days from
source to estuary

Yangtze River, China (4,003K)

First Stage Swim: Martin Strel (Slovenia), 10 June 2004 to 30 July 2004, 51 days from source
to Shanghai

Lignano to Ravenna, Italy (162.5K)

Longest Ocean Swim in Europe: Martin Strel (Slovenia), 1994, 55 hours and 11 minutes

Venice to Portorose, Italy (100K)

Fastest Swim: Martin Strel (Slovenia), 1996, 41 hours and 11 minutes

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