Straits of Gibraltar

Straits Stats:

Distance: 22km (13.7 Miles)
Average water Temperature: 17ºC
Currents: up to 5km/hr
The Straits of Gibraltar extend over 22 km from Europe to Africa. It is a stretch of water renowned for the unpredictable weather, strong tides and currents and cold temperatures.

Each day hundreds of ships make the crossing, but few people have successfully completed the swim. It is renowned as being the ’Everest’ of swimming challenges.

In July 2008, three young Oxford University students will attempt to conquer adversity and swim across the Straits of Gibraltar.
The Straits of Gibraltar connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, separating Spain from Morrocco. The Straits’ depth ranges from 300 to 900 metres.
On a daily basis, water flows continually eastward into the Mediterranean because the evaporation rate in the Mediterranean is very high. This is a challenge that any swimmer has to overcome.
The water temperature varies from 15ºC to 22ºC. These temperatures leave the swimmer very vulnerable to hypothermia, so swimmers must be able to generate enough energy to keep themselves warm throughout the crossing. 
Other hazards to be found in the Straits of Gibraltar are the unpredictable weather including dense fog, physical exhaustion, cramps, vomiting, strong underwater currents and the hundreds of vessels sailing through daily.
The successful completion of the swim depends on the skill of the pilot boats to navigate the swimmers safely around these obstacles.

Click here to view the three students during their intensive training programme

 

Swim Sponsors

Close and Marrache

Variety Club the children's charity

Variety Club Childrens Charity has spent more than 50 years helping sick, disabled and disadvantaged children throughout the UK have a better life.
www.varietyclub.org.uk