Milton Brest of South Africa and Phillip Chappell (63, Australia, MSF bio here) completed a 3.19 km crossing from Sandaun in Papua New Guinea (Australasia) to Jalan Skouw, Indonesia (Asia) in 1 hour 13 minutes on May 3rd.
Observer and photographer Alon Brest was onboard with event organizer Econ Wanggai, and escort pilot Karel Sa. He reported that the duo made one feeding stop after 39 minutes under favorable conditions with calm seas and clear skies in 29°C water.
Brest said after completing the final leg of his Intercontinental Swim Series, “Swimming from Papua New Guinea to Indonesia was a truly memorable experience. The conditions were exceptional, the water temperature was a warm 29°C, the sky was a vibrant blue with only a few scattered clouds, and the sun shone throughout the swim.
We were fortunate to swim with the current, making for smooth and steady progress. There was no marine life encountered, and the surroundings felt raw and untouched, a perfect setting for open water swimming.
“Out of all my international swims, this was one of the most enjoyable. The natural beauty of the region and favorable conditions made it an experience I’ll never forget.“
The crossing marked a special milestone for Brest as he completed a series of documented intercontinental crossings. He said, “Each crossing has been a unique challenge and an incredible adventure.”
- Europe to Africa: Strait of Gibraltar, Spain to Morocco
- Asia to Europe: Bosporus, Turkey
- Africa to Asia: Red Sea, Tiran Island to Ras Gimalia
- North to South America: La Miel, Panama to Playa Sapzurro, Colombia
- Russia to America: Big Diomede, Russia to Little Diomede, Alaska, USA
- Australasia to Asia: Papua New Guinea to Indonesia
Brest shared his approach in the open water with Duncan & Jim (@clever_dicks) on their podcast here.
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