20 BRIDGES SWIM - MANHATTAN ISLAND NY
TURKISH & GERMAN TIME RECORD: 48KM IN 7.58 HOURS
This is amazing! Manhattan swim completed and coming home with a time record!
I completed the swim in 7 hours and 58 minutes.
This was my most enjoyable swim yet, even compared to the English Channel and Catalina. It was the easiest in some ways—my expanded comfort zone, the amazing support team, and the beautiful sun made it perfect. Swimming under 20 bridges, I could feel the city above me. For the first time, I heard the city’s voice alongside the waves, and the adrenaline never left me. It felt like a VIP swim, flanked by two boats and accompanied by my kayaker. Thank you for all your positive energy!
Completing this swim also means completing the Triple Crown, so this swim represents a milestone in my swimming career.
Another positive thing about this swim is that in collaboration with my wonderful partner, Adalvo, we aimed to highlight the importance of preserving our water sources and addressing the global water crisis. Water is essential for life, yet millions worldwide 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫. That's why this swim was dedicated to collaborating with charity Water; an NGO committed to bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries. You can still also be part of this mission and donate through this link: www.charitywater.org/adalvo
Some facts about Manhattan Swim: The official name of the swim is 20 Bridges, and, as the name applies, I swam under 20 Bridges around Manhattan Island, starting with George Washington Bridge and ending with Brooklyn Bridge. The swim is 48.5K, but because of the strong current, it is possible to complete it in less than 10 hours.
Traditionally it is completed in a counter-clockwise direction. It’s a full loop, with an in-water start and finish and an interesting scenario, with skyscrapers such as Empire State Building and the Freedom Tower.
The three rivers that are part of the swim are not fresh water but tidal straits or estuaries. The East River, connecting New York Harbor to Long Island Sound, with some ripping-fast tides. The Harlem River, connecting the East River to the Hudson, has more relatively calm waters and is crossed by 15 bridges, most of them between Manhattan and the Bronx. The last one is the mighty Hudson, separating Manhattan from the state of New Jersey. The only bridge during this stretch is the magnificent George Washington Bridge. The Hudson can get quite choppy in the afternoon due to all the boat action, especially if there is wind coming up from the Harbor.
