Earlier this morning, Bill “Ciastko” Welzien (USA, 74, MSF bio here) has completed his 146th warm-water 20.1 km circumnavigation swims around Key West in southern Florida over the last 34 years. This week, he finished in 6 hours 23 minutes 44 seconds [see his swim data here].
At 74 years old, he shows no signs of slowing down.
David Ezmirly provided kayak support in the 75°F (23.8°C) water.
Welzien said, “Today was my fifth swim in 10 weeks [under a] new moon, full moon, new moon, full moon, etc. It has been cool here in mid-April by our standards. The Lord has blessed my attempts with decent conditions – tt was super windy until today. Amazing.”
He previously explained his perspective, “I find it challenging. It’s a good discipline. I know my window is closing at near 75 years and I still want to get what I can through it. I feel very blessed to be able to do this and I still have the ‘want to.’ I know it’s healthy for me, mentally, physically and spiritually.”
The Floridian septuagenarian started his solo swims around Key West in 1991 and served as the race organizer of the Swim Around Key West in 2003. He completed his 100th swim (Century Swim) in May 2018, averaging 6 hours 15 minutes over the course for his first 100 swims.
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