Back in June 2011, Andy Akinwolere, the presenter of Blue Peter, the world’s longest-running children’s television show, swam 8.6 km across the Palau Trench, an 8,000-meter abyss in the Pacific Ocean.
While 8.6 km is not earth-shattering when it comes to a record, it is incredible to think that Akinwolere was unable to swim a length in a pool only 10 weeks previous to his attempt. He was born in Nigeria in 1982, and later moved to Birmingham, but he remained terrified of the open water.
He selected the Palau Trench because it was deep. In fact, he wanted a challenge and picked the Palau Trench because it is one of the deepest stretches of water on Planet Earth.
The water was calm and flat for his 3 hour 14 minute breaststroking adventure.
Richard Turley reported that Akinwolere began his swim at 07.46.456 N by 134.57.35 E and swam 8.6 km until he reached 07.50.893 N by 134.57.347 E. Watch the BBC report here.
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