Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.
Swimming near heaven is what the Nadando Cerca del Cielo event must feel like, at nearly 4,000 meters in altitude.
With deep blue water and beautiful underwater visibility, but with just thin oxygen levels to breathe in, the Isla de la Luna – Isla del Sol event is unique.
The 7.5 km (3.8-mile) high-altitude swim is the highest open water swimming competition in the world, held up in the Andes Mountains in Lake Titicaca.
Ricardo Lopez has competed in the event six times in Bolivia between the the Isla de la Luna and the Isla del Sol. “It’s a wonderful experience, 7.5 km at [nearly] 4,000 meters in altitude. It is an extreme trip and I strongly recommend visiting Lake Titicaca one week before to become acclimated.”
Nadando Cerca del Cielo is a point-to-point, wetsuit-optional swim for both soloists and relays in 14°C (58°F) water between Copacabana and Bolivia, organized by the Torneo Internacional de Natación.
The X Versión de Aguas Abiertas Isla del sol – Isla de la Luna, held on May 7th, is organized by the El Club de Tenis La Paz (Tennis Club of La Paz) and La Federación Boliviana de Natación (Bolivian Swimming Federation) that provides escort boats for all. Age groups include 15-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60+ years.
For more information, visit here.
2015 Results, Top 3 Men and Women:
1. Zedheir Torrez (Bolivia) 1 hour 37 minutes 33 seconds
2. Mauricio Gutierrez (Bolivia) 1 hour 37 minutes 34 seconds
3. Jose Herrera (Peru) 2 hours 7 hours 52 seconds
1. Alondra Castillo (Bolivia) 1 hour 45 minutes 38 seconds
2. Rebeca Challapa (Bolivia) 2 hour 8 minutes 41 seconds
3. Cecilia Gonzales (Bolivia) 2 hours 19 minutes 21 seconds
Complete results are posted here.
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