Experiencing a DNF is always tough, especially when a swimmer spending significant time, money, and effort to achieve the Oceans Seven and they traveled halfway around the world to make their attempt.
Paul Georgescu of Romania faced his frustrations and disappointment last year. But he came back to northern Japan this week with even more determination to get the job done.
He is currently enjoying good conditions as he set off from Honshu at 4:30 am. He is now well on his way to Hokkaido to complete the 19.5 Tsugaru Channel (see his start point behind him in the photo above). Fellow ice swimmer Ger Kennedy is on his escort boat and things are looking good…so far.
“Tuna are jumping out of the water near him,” reported Kennedy.
But the inevitable Tsugaru Current can pop up at any time and both Georgescu and his support team are prepared for what might occur.
Follow Georgescu here on his journey across the Tsugaru Channel in northern Japan.
Georgescu’s complete marathon swimming history is here on the Marathon Swimmers Federation LongSwims database.
Oceans Seven Channels to date
- September 2016 English Channel in 13 hourus 36 minutes at the age of 37
- August 2018 Catalina Channel in 9 hours 47 minutes at the age of 39
- April 2019 Molokai Channel in 13 hours 6 minutes at the age of 40
- August 2022 North Channel in 11 hours 7 minutes at the age of 43
- June 2023 Strait of Gibraltar in 3 hours 46 minutes at the age of 44
- March 2024 Cook Strait in 9 hours 2 minutes at the age of 45
It will be great to see the 46-year-old’s bright smile before the sun sets tonight in Japan…
Steven Munatones explained Georgescu’s position in the top photo, “This photo presents a bit of an optical illusion. Paul is swimming in the foreground. His starting point is the peninsula that is shown behind him. But his position relative to his starting point is parallel to the shore. Normally, you would expect a swimmer to be swimming away from the shore – towards the opposite shore of Hokkaido. But in this unusual bit of topography and ocean currents, the swimmers fight against the strong currents of the Tsugaru Channel by swimming at nearly a 45° angle – in the opposite direction of the shore – at the start. The idea is to swim towards the west, angling into the Tsugaru Current, with the hopes to being swept eastwards to the shores of Hokkaido.
It is quite a technically challenging body of water – and for this reason, among others, it is a worthy channel to be added to the Oceans Seven.”
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