Lynton Mortensen, Open Water Swimming’s 007, Man of Mystery

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International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Swimmer Lynton Mortenson (Australia, 60, MSF bio here, IISA bio here) retired from his legal career and went on a worldwide tour.

It was not your normal, traditional retirement vacation tour.

It was special. Grueling, challenging, adventurous, unique.

After his initial worldwide tour of channel crossings and ice swims, then the Australian force of nature, known as the Sea Bull, really took things into his own hands.

He set a dual goal: The 007 Challenge.

The 007 Challenge

The 007 Challenge is a combination of the two most difficult open water swimming series in the world: the Oceans Seven and the Ice Sevens.

The Oceans Seven is the solo achievement of a crossing of seven channels around the world. It is open water swimming’s version of the Seven Summits. The Seven Summits are the highest mountains in each of the seven continents, a mountaineering achievement. The concept was first conceived and publicly proposed in June 2008 by Steven Munatones.

• North Channel 35 km between Northern Ireland and Scotland
• Cook Strait 23 km between the North Island and South Island of New Zealand
• Molokai Channel 45 km between Oahu and Molokai Island in the state of Hawaii
• English Channel 33.5 km between England and France
• Catalina Channel 32.3 km between Catalina Island and Palos Verdes Peninsula on the Southern California mainland
• Tsugaru Channel 19.5 km between the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido in northern Japan
• Strait of Gibraltar 14.4 km between Europe (Spain) and Africa (Morocco)

The Ice Sevens is the ice swimming equivalent of the Oceans Seven. It was conceived and developed by Ger Kennedy and Steven Munatones, circa 2016, with the support of and governance by the International Ice Swimming Association. To achieve the Ice Sevens, a swimmer must complete an Ice Mile under standard ice swimming rules (i.e., no wetsuit and no neoprene hat), ratified by the International Ice Swimming Association.

o An Ice Mile swum below 5ºC (41ºF) in any location in Europe
o An Ice Mile swum below 5ºC (41ºF) in any location in Oceania
o An Ice Mile swum below 5ºC (41ºF) in any location in Asia
o An Ice Mile swum below 5ºC (41ºF) in any location in North America
o An Ice Mile swum below 5ºC (41ºF) in any location in Africa
o An Ice Mile swum below 5ºC (41ºF) in any location in South America
o An Ice Mile swum below 5ºC (41ºF) in any Polar location at 60º south or below or 70º north or above
o One of the seven Ice Miles must be a documented Zero Ice Mile (defined as a solo mile swim performed at below 1ºC)

Lynton Mortensen’s 007 Challenge

Mortensen completed history’s first 007 Challenge on May 27th 2025 when he completed an Ice Mile in 32 minutes in 4°C water and 0°C air temperatures. In a most eloquent way, Mortensen explained, “What started out as a whisper, ended as a roar on this wonderful journey. At the edge of the map, where land fades and breath sharpens, I swam not to escape the cold — but to meet myself in it.

In magnificent Patagonia – Puerto Natales – its beauty only exceed by the incredible swimming community here that went above and beyond in welcoming me and Lisa in their support of the swim.

Fellow ice swimmer and Oceans Seven swimmer herself, Bárbara Hernández Huerta and her team were incredible in coordinating Mortensen’s last Ice Mile of the 007. He described them as “…absolutely amazing — both in and out of the water. Such beautiful people with such big hearts — it honestly felt like family.

I was lucky after arriving late on July 23rd to have locals Melissa and Evelyn join me for a test swim in the 2 days before the Ice Mile. They were absolute rockstars tying and coordinating the swim with the rest of the amazing team. They all brought great energy and calm to making a special day.

The conditions were magical, the Patagonian backdrop breathtaking, and the unexpected touching post-swim presentation and the stunning tribute trophy was a lovely surprise.

Post-007

But true to Mortensen’s nature and Big Goals, his journey in The Ice is not over. He wrote last week, “In El Calafate next week for the Argentinian Ice Championships at Poerto Moreno Glacier. After the championships, I will swim another Ice Mile at the Glacier. The thaw out in the Atcama dessert and Easter Island after. I’m working on an Island Sevens.”

May his adventures continue…stay tuned.