Course courtesy of Masayuki Moriya of Ocean-navi between Honshu in the south and Hokkaido in the north across the Tsugaru Channel
Four years ago almost to the day, Brad McVetta of New York attempted his first crossing of the Tsugaru Channel in northern Japan.
After 17 hours 13 minute across and against the Tsugaru Current, he ultimately gave it his all, but did not finish.
While the conditions were acceptable and the water temperature was comfortable at the start of his second attempt today in Japan, the elements in the Tsugaru Channel proved too much again for McVetta.
As he approached his goal of Hokkaido, he had to fight against the strong Tsugaru Current that pushed him away from his goal. He also faced water temperatures that steadily dropped from 19.5°C at the start near Honshu to 12°C at the end near Hokkaido.
The Tsugaru Current whips around the southern edges of Hokkaido around Shirakami Misaki and kicks up some large, unpredictable eddies that draw up the colder water from the depths to the surface. It is a double punch that has taken down more than one experienced channel swimmer.
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.