Courtesy of WOWSA, Gulf Stream, Atlantic Ocean.

Pablo Fernández Álvarez was going about as fast as a swimmer can go in the ocean.

He took only 12 hours 21 minutes to complete a 100 km point-to-point swim.

“His oceanography team really did a great job forecasting the time and place of a consistently fast ocean current. Located four hours from the east coast of Florida in the middle of the fast-moving Gulf Stream, Fernandez was also aided by some incredible smooth and tranquil surface water conditions,” said Steven Munatones.

Fernandez put an experienced team together with one goal in mind: to swim the fast 100 km in history in the open water. But as in any open water event, all the planning in the world can be for naught with unexpected winds or waves.

But yesterday was his day. “The ocean is unpredictable and that is part of the beauty of our sport,” summed up Fernandez from his home in Spain. “Yesterday, we had perfect conditions in the Gulf Stream and the team performed like clockwork with clear roles, good communication and a passionate team spirit. I am really fortunate to have been part of such a great team effort. We are all humbled by the mighty of the ocean.

It was an experience of a lifetime that I will never forget.”

Quinn Fitzgerald, host of the WOWSA Ocean Fest in Redondo Beach, California said, “Pablo is going to be among the Guinness World Record holders, along with Alex Kostich, the first person to swim around Pitcairn Island, and many more – who will be honored at the WOWSA Ocean Fest on October 5th & 6th.  It will be fascinating to hear him explain how and why he set out to achieve the fastest 100 km ocean swim.”

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