Channel Swimmer Calls Attention To Saving Kerkennah
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. Over the next few generations, the Kerkennah – Sfax Channel swim will not be possible.
For various reasons, the Kerkennah Islands are expected to disappear by the year 2050. The population of the islands has significantly decreased since the 1980s. Additionally, with clean water rapidly running out, many islanders are departing for mainland Tunisia and the nearest town of Sfax.
The 20 km channel swim has tidal currents and was first accomplished by Nejib Belhedi in 1991. In order to attract attention to Kerkennah and take action to save this island from forever submerging under the sea, Belhedi will cross the channel again in January 2015.
Copyright © 2014 by World Open Water Swimming Association
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.
Latest posts by Steven Munatones (see all)
