This morning, Bill “Ciastko” Welzien (USA, 75, MSF bio here) completed his 149th 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 48 minutes 45 seconds [see his swim data here].
He reported, “Wind wise, it was a challenging slog. The wind was out of the southeast at a steady 15-17 mph with gusts to 20. The Atlantic side was like swimming in a wash machine, rough with whitecaps. Support kayaker David Ezmirly provided protection and nutrition during the swim. Skin protection was SolRx Clear Zinc 50. This swim was swum to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Soli Deo Gloria.”
The tentative date for Swim #150 is either June 11th or 12th.
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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