Through 10 exceedingly rough days with strong winds and large, swirling ocean swells of the EPIC SWIM Maui, only Ryan Leong (@salty_ry), John Kalemakali’i Clark (@ka.lei.makalii), Andy Donaldson (@andy.swimming), and Stefan Reinke (@smreinke01) have endured each and every day through the first half of the anticipated 260 km circumnavigation stage swim of the island of Maui.
Injuries, too much tropical sun, and international travel are among the reasons why the other ocean swimmers have not been able to continue, but the beauty they are all experiencing is off the charts.
But Epic Swim Maui is not a race. It is a not traditional continuous stage swim with observers and officials. Instead, it is an adventure. It is exploring the unknown on a physical level, but the expedition swim also features grandiose long-range scientific and cultural goals. The team – swimmers and scientists alike – interact and interface with many different local groups on a daily basis. They eat together, laugh, exchange information, enjoy each others’ company while respecting everyone’s individual goals for the swim.
The team of 15 swimmers – along with all the scientists, organizers, sponsors, safey crew, and volunteers believe, “The ocean holds the keys to an equitable and sustainable planet for all. As part of the UN’s Ocean Decade community, Epic Swim Maui is engaging in the global conversation, and spotlighting efforts to restore ocean health.”
There is something very special and unique when humans swim at the surface of the ocean accompanied by researchers and scientists. Their slow, methodical pace over long distances conducted over a period of weeks is ideal to conduct testing and make observations, as well as tracking and analyzing myriad information while collecting samples in areas that are only very occasionally accessed by boats.
The stage circumnavigation swim around the island of Maui serves as the catalyst why a large group of like-minded people from a wide variety of backgrounds and expertise are embarking on this scientific journey of discovery.
- DotVision Motion (@dotvisionmotion) is utilizing its innovative tracking system for sport activities
- HAMER (Hawai’i Association for Marine Education and Research, @hamerinhawaii) is led by Dr. Mark Deakos, a research non-profit working to better understand the health status of our marine resources and how to preserve them
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon Institute, Geesthacht, Germany (@hereon_helmholtz) is conducting a first-ever PFAS (“forever chemical”) study with sampling taken in 20 different locations
- Maui Nui Marine Resource Council (@mauireefs) is a local community organization working for clean water, healthy reefs, and abundant native fish, led by John Stammer who has provided “mini probes” worn by the swimmers collect real-time data each day
- Love The Sea (@lovetheseaplasticfree) works to recover ocean plastic by intercepting and extracting from inaccessible coastal areas
- Maui Ocean Center | The Aquarium of Hawai’i (@mauioceancenter) is working to conserve and sustain Hawai’i’s marine life for future generations through education and stewardship
- OceanDataLab (#oceandatalab) is a private research laboratory that provides efficient tools to enhance scientific productivity when multi-sensor or multi-modal analysis is required
- Ocean Mind Foundation (@oceanmindfoundation) is giving the oceans a voice that can be seen, heard and felt all over the globe
- UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography (@scripps_ocean) is conducting a comprehensive study of microplastics by Dr. Dimitri Deheyn with samples taken daily.
- UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (@unoceandecade) is calling everyone’s efforts in the Epic Swim Maui a direct call to action for Global Ocean Health
- University of Hawai’i led by Dr. Andrea Kealoha (@uhm_oceanography) launched a multi-parameter probe from Sea & Sun Technology (@sea_sun_technology) that is deployed throughout the swim in locations rarely accessed by boats. Dr. Kealoha also crosschecks her recent case study, Understanding the Implications of the Lahaina Wildfire on Coastal Water Quality
Epic Swim Maui 2024 by Dayanidhi Das @1MORE808
To date, the following 15 swimmers from around the world have participated on at least one of the swims:
- John Kalemakali’i Clark of Hawaii (@ka.lei.makalii)
- Andrew Donaldson of Scotland (@andy.swimming)
- Bárbara Hernández of Chile (@barbarehlla_h)
- Prabhat Koli of India (@koliboyprabhat
- Jonathan Ridler of New Zealand (@jonoridler)
- Yvette Dickson Tetteh of Ghana (@yvette_tetteh)
- Sarah Thomas of the USA (@sarahswims04)
- Dr. Mostafa Zaki of Egypt (@mostafaszaki)
- Stefan Reinke of Hawaii (@smreinke01)
- Ryan Leong of Hawaii (@salty_ry)
- Dina Levačić of Croatia (@dinalevacic_swim)
- Paul Blackbeard of South Africa (@paulblackbeard)
- Marion Joffle of France (@marion_jf)
- Amber Keegan of Great Britain (@amber.keegan)
- Sarah Ferguson of South Africa (@breatheocean1)
Daily Swim Log through the First 7 Days
- Leg 1 on July 7 from Hana Bay to Ke’anae, team swam 25.5 km in 6 hours 45 minutes
- Leg 2 on July 8 rrom Ke’anae to Maliko Bay, team swam 24.2 km in 7 hours 45 minutes
- Leg 3 on July 10 from Maliko Bay to Kahakuloa, team swam 21.2 km in 6 hours
- Leg 4 on July 11 from Kahakuloa to Honolua Bay, team swam 15.2 km in 4 hours 50 minutes
- Leg 5 on July 12 from Honolua Bay to Ka’anapali, team swam 14.3 km in 4 hours 45 minutes
- Leg 6 on July 15 from Ka’anapali to Oluwalu, team swam 17.2 km in 5 hours 35 minutes
- Leg 7 on July 16 from Oluwalu to McGregor Point, team swam 12.3 km in 4 hours
- Leg 8 scheduled from McGregor Point to Wailea
- Leg 9 scheduled from Hana to Kipahulu
- Leg 10 scheduled from Kipahulu to Nu’u
- Leg 11 scheduled from Nu’u to Kanaio
- Leg 12 scheduled from Kanaio to La Perouse Bay
- Leg 13 scheduled from La Perouse Bay to Wailea
The team is well attended to gastronomically as catering from Duke’s Hawaii is providing ample sustenance that is being overseen by a nutritionist who previously worked with Tour de France cycling teams.
Previous articles on the Epic Swim Maui include:
- Epic Swim Maui Team Combines Swimming with Science
- Quartet of Andy Donaldson, Stefan Reinke, John Clark, and Ryan Leong Remain Strong Through The First 10 Days of Epic Swim Maui
- Epic Swim Maui Heads Through The Roughwater Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
- Epic Swim Maui Forges On with Another Rough Day and A Shark Encounter
- Epic Swim Maui Continues – Day 2 and A Day of Rest
- Epic Swim Maui Begins – Day 1 from Hāna to Ke’anae
- Best of the Best Will Swim Around Maui Within 20 Days
- 112 Days Until The Epic Maui Swim
For ongoing information, visit www.epicswimmaui.com.
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