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Uncharted Waters: Hassan Baraka's Historic Swim Across the English Channel

Tuesday 16 July 2024 - 10:40

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In an extraordinary display of endurance and determination, Moroccan swimmer Hassan Baraka etched his name into the annals of history on Saturday by becoming the first Moroccan to swim across the English Channel. This monumental achievement saw him traverse the 55-kilometer stretch of treacherous waters separating England and France.

Baraka embarked on his journey from Dover, United Kingdom, and reached Cap Blanc-Nez, France, in an impressive 15 hours and 55 minutes. This remarkable feat was not an overnight success but the result of years of rigorous training and participation in long-distance races under diverse climatic conditions.

The swim posed numerous challenges for Baraka, including frigid waters with temperatures ranging between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius, formidable currents, and the enveloping darkness as he commenced his swim at 3:14 a.m. (British time) and concluded at 8:04 p.m. (French time).

Born in 1987 in Tetouan, Baraka revealed that he had to await favorable weather conditions before undertaking the swim. He candidly spoke about the cold water, jellyfish, and strong currents as significant hurdles he had to overcome.

“The most important thing is that I crossed the finish line,” Baraka told the Moroccan Press Agency (MAP), expressing immense pride in having Morocco now listed among the nationalities that have successfully completed the English Channel swim.

Baraka's accomplishments extend beyond this recent triumph. He holds the distinction of being the first Moroccan swimmer to complete the International Marathon, an arduous challenge involving seven marathons across seven continents in as many days.

His impressive record includes several other notable swims: crossing the Bosphorus and Gibraltar straits, a 9-kilometer swim between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia completed in 3 hours and 46 minutes, and a 28.11-kilometer swim between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

The legacy of swimming the English Channel dates back to August 25, 1875, when British swimmer Matthew Webb became the first recorded person to achieve this feat without the use of artificial aids. Webb's historic swim from Dover, England, to Calais, France, covered approximately 34 kilometers and took 21 hours and 45 minutes.

Hassan Baraka’s recent accomplishment not only adds to his impressive list of achievements but also inspires a new generation of swimmers to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of long-distance swimming.