Warm-Hearted Swimming In Cold Water
Tunisia’s open water swimming ambassador Nejib Belhedi was televised today on TV1 and Hannibal TV swimming in 3ºC (37ºF) water for an hour at the Sidi Saad Dam in Jedliane (Kasserine), Tunisia. The English Channel swimmer who also swam the coastline of his native Tunisia in times of political and social turmoil has done a number of swims, both short and long. But this exploit was definitely his coldest and toughest to date.
“I discovered that at the age of 61, I can call myself an extreme swimmer.” At the age of 61, he is most definitely hitting his stride and giving inspiration to Tunisia’s next generation of swimmers.
Belhedi walked 17 km up to the freezing top of the tallest mountain in Tunisia (Djebel Chambi). “I went up to salute the sun, Surya Namaskar. Tatiana Ostanina, my adviser advised me to harness this powerful spirit. Breath deeply the fresh mountain air and receive the first rays of sun rising to warm Tunisia. Look with great concentration at the horizon and go.”
Copyright © 2013 by Open Water Swimming
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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