Syamala Goli Pioneers a 38 km Channel Swim after Overcoming Aquaphobia

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Syamala Goli is a 51-year-old producer, creative director, and writer of animation series and movies from Hyderabad, India is creating an incredible story herself.

Goli pioneered an unprecedented 38 km channel crossing in the Arabian Sea from Kiltan Island to Kadmat Island that took her an exhausting 18 hours 35 minutes on February 29th. The two beautiful coral islands are part of a Marine Protected Area located west of India. Goli, together with the Lakshadweep Administration, promoted Lakshadweep as a tourist paradise.

Starting at 3:10 am, she overcame a morning, afternoon, and evening of constant waves and currents, walking onshore Kadmat Island at 9:45 pm amid a massive crowd of onlookers, fans, and supporters.

Her swim was organized by Dunoon Scuba Diving and Water Sports Center of Kiltan, in collaboration with Rupali Rapali Swimming Academy of Mumbai, garnered extensive support from the Lakshadweep Administration. Shri. Mujeeb Rahman, Swimming Coach, and Shri. Abdul Samad. VI, Instructor Water Sports, played pivotal roles as observers and coordinators, representing the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Department of Tourism.

Goli is committed to support for Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji’s Lakshadweep tourism campaign. Additionally, she dedicated her historic swim to International Women’s Day, women’s empowerment, cancer awareness, and the resilience of cancer survivors. She emphasized that this feat serves as a testament to the notion that age is merely a number.

This crossing was another step in Goli’s prolific career that began at the age of 44 in order to overcome from aquaphobia. Scared no longer, she has also completed a 30 km crossing of the Palk Strait (Rama Setu / Palk Jala Sndi) in the Indian Ocean, a 32.3 km crossing of the Catalina Channel, and a swim from the Gateway of India to Vashi Bridge in Mumbai.

Goli says, “The success of this event wouldn’t have been possible without the assiduous assistance and immense support from various departments of the Lakshadweep Administration, notably the Department of Port, Shipping, and Aviation, Medical and Health Services, and Sports and Tourism.”

Awanish Kumar, IAS, Secretary of the Sports & Youth Affairs, U.T Of Lakshadweep, said, “Mrs. Goli, a versatile personality, has become an inspiration and a symbol of dedication and strength not just for the people of Lakshadweep and but for the entire nation.”