Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.
David Tonge will attempt to continue the recent progression of the Guinness World Record for the Longest Continuous Swim in a Counter-current Pool scheduled for May 7th in Cardiff, Wales. Tonge, the owner and coach of Heathwood Swimming, is a long-time competitive swimmer, triathlete, and open water swimmer. Earlier, he has already covered 21 miles in an Endless Pool for NHS Charities during the COVID-19 lockdown where he raised £5300.
Tonge’s rules governing the world record attempt will follow the standard rules adopted by the World Open Water Swimming Association:
- Swimmers may take up to 5 minutes per every 60-minute period to use the restroom, eat, drink, stretch and rest. Resting over 5 minutes per hour leads to disqualification.
- Any swim stroke can be used.
- Standard swimwear can be used, but no fins, hand paddles, pull buoys or wetsuits are to be used.
The progression in the record to date includes:
- In February 2014, Chloë McCardel of Australia swam 16 hours at the SPASA Victoria consumer Pool & Spa + Outdoor Living Expo in Australia.
- In May 2018, Dennis T. Seiler-Holm of Denmark swam 17 hours 7 minutes 1.82 seconds in a Swim Spa in Denform Expo in Aarhus, Denmark.
- In October 2019, Yuko Matsuzaki of Japan swam 24 hours 1 minute in an Endless Pool in Seaside Lagoon, Redondo Beach, California.
- In May 2020, Pablo Fernández Álvarez of Spain swam 25 hours in an Endless Pool in Madrid, Spain.
- In November 2020, Mayra Santos of Brazil/Portugal swam 31 hours 7 minutes in a counter-current pool in Caniço, Madeira Island, Portugal.
For more information on Tonge, visit Heathwood Swimming here.
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