Swim Crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar

Film by Dan Nadaner.

Some of the details of our July 1, 2012, attempts to swim across the Straits of Gibraltar.

South End Rowing Club members Andrew McLaughlin, Dan Nadaner, Craig Coombs and Danielle Ruymaker had been in Tarifa, Spain for several days when we got the call that the conditions would support a crossing attempt on Sunday morning (July 1).

In the end what should of have been a ~5 hr swim of 12 miles was instead 6 hours, forty minutes and 25.5 km (15.8 miles). Danielle and Craig became the 352 and 353 people to have swum the Straits (without wetsuits) in the last 112 years. The captain said we suffered the worst currents he had ever seen anyone succeed against. The currents continued to be so adverse that the captain could not return to Tarifa that night, and instead took us to Ceuta to catch a ferry back to the port (Algeciras) next to Gibraltar.

Danielle and I are so thankful for the support that we received on this swim. We extend our thanks to Dan and Andrew, our families and our South End Rowing Club family. We also want to thank our Masters Swim Coach, Marcia Benjamin, who continually worked us to be ready for this swim. Thank you all.

If you want more details, including our near arrest by the Moroccan police, let me know and I'll send you the story.