On the shores of Tsugaru Channel between Honshu and Hokkaido in northern Japan, the water looked so calm and tranquil as far as the eye could see.

The water was warm. No storms or strong winds were in the forecast. The Tsugaru Current did not appear to be ripping through the channel as is normally the case.

But the swim window has begun for Robert Woodhouse (Australia, 59, MSF bio here) and Gráinne Moss née Gunn (55, Ireland, MSF bio here) – and the decision was made to avoid their Tsugaru Channel attempt for the next 3 days, leaving only the possibility of a slim window on July 6th and 7th to complete the Oceans Seven.

They only thing to do is relax, swim a bit, and hope for Mother Nature to be kind enough to permit an attempt.

So the waiting begins for the two potential record-setters.

Woodhouse will attempt his final Oceans Seven channel and break the Fastest Cumulative Time for the Oceans Seven, currently held by Andy Donaldson (Scotland, 34, MSF bio here, @andy.swimming) in 63 hours 21 minutes 20 seconds. Woodhouse must cross Tsugaru faster than 9 hours 40 minutes 49 seconds to set a new record – if approved to swim by Captain Kawayama.

Moss will attempt to set the Longest Duration to Achieve the Oceans Seven at 37 years and 11 months (approximately 13,850 days) that is currently held by Marcia Cleveland (61, USA, MSF bio here, IISA bio here, @marciac944) of 11,253 days between the date of her first and seventh channel crossing.

The wait continues as the conditions look – at least on the surface – calm and ready for this season’s record-setting hopefuls.

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