(From Left) Danish Abdi, Vrushali Prasade, Rohan Patnaik and Anuj Aneja.
With no sea in their sight the team faced multiple challenges in leading up to preparation for the swim.
A team of four Indian swimmers from Bengaluru Vrushali Prasade, Danish Abdi, Anuj Aneja, and Rohan Patnaik crossed the notoriously choppy 34 kilometers of English Channel in 17 hours 9 minutes on the 11th of August 2024.
With no sea in their sight the team faced multiple challenges in leading up to preparation for the swim.
The English Channel, one of the toughest open-water swims in the world, stretches 33.5 kilometers from Dover, England, to France. Due to strong tides and winds, the distance often extends closer to 55 kilometers. With water temperatures averaging 18°C or lower, swimmers face risks like hypothermia and jellyfish stings. Despite these challenges, completing the swim remains a remarkable feat of human endurance.
To prepare for the frigid waters of the English Channel, the team traveled to Menorca, Spain, for a demanding week-long training camp in April 2024. Facing water temperatures of 15°C and air temperatures around 10°C, they pushed their physical and mental limits. This rigorous training not only earned them vital certifications but also strengthened their determination to conquer the Channel.
After 18 months of intensive training and sacrifices on the early morning of 11 August 2024, the team gathered at Dover the swim began at 2 AM, with Vrushali team captain leading followed by Anuj, Danish and Rohan.
Rohan, an IIT graduate and Ironman competitor, reflected on the pivotal moment “we could see the shoreline, yet reaching it felt like an insurmountable challenge. For three grueling hours, we battled the waves, determined to avoid drifting back into the sea”
For the team, this achievement went beyond personal victory; it showcased the strength of unity and resilience. Vrushali, the team captain, remarked, “Our journey is an inspiration, proving that with determination and collective support, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome.” Their success also places Indian swimmers firmly back on the global map of open-water swimming.
