My dream

My dream is to complete the Danish Triple Crown according to the official international rules of marathon swimming, i.e. without the use of a wetsuit. Essentially it’s just you against the elements, with nothing but a swimming cap, goggles and trunks on.

The Danish Triple Crown consists of the Fehmarn Belt (DE-DK), the English Channel (UK-FR) and the Catalina Channel (USA, California). Also, I’ve been dreaming of swimming around Manhattan, NY, for years. Together, the English Channel, the Catalina Channel and Manhattan make up the original Triple Crown.

Crossing of the Fehmarn Belt

The Fehmarn Belt is located between the island of Fehmarn in Germany and the island of Lolland in Denmark. The geographically shortest distance is around 21 km as the crow flies. The water temperatures range between 15 and 21 °C. The currents can be swift and the shipping lane is very busy as it connects the Baltic Sea to the North Sea through the internal straights and seas of Denmark. I completed this crossing on 1st August 2017 (read more here) after a first attempt in August 2016 (read more here).

Crossing of the English Channel

The shortest distance across the Channel is from Shakespeare Beach, Dover, to Cap Gris Nez (the headland halfway between Calais and Boulogne). While this distance is 32 kilometres as the crow flies, most swims are much longer in total depending of the currents, the tide, the weather conditions, etc. The water temperature can vary from 15 °C at the end of June to 18 °C by the beginning of September. The Channel is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

Crossing of the Catalina Channel

The Catalina Channel is named after Santa Catalina Island, a rocky island located about 35 km south-southwest of Los Angeles, California. Thus the swim is a little more than 35 km at its shortest distance. The water temperatures range between 14 and 22 °C and often drop as much as 5 °C in the three miles nearest the California mainland. Currents are unpredictable and can be swift. A midnight start is required in order to avoid the blustery afternoon winds, so the main part of the crossing occurs in complete darkness, when vision is impaired and depth perception is compromised.

Manhattan Island Marathon Swim

The Manhattan Island Marathom Swim is about 46 km. It’s a full counter-clockwise circumnavigation of the island of Manhattan, starting and finishing at South Cove in Battery Park City on the Hudson River. The swim takes place in June where the water temperatures are approximately 17,4 °C to 20,2 °C. The use of a wetsuit is prohibited.