Chun Kong Mak, One Very Hardened Butterflyer
Chun Kong Mak, One Very Hardened Butterflyer
Courtesy of Chun Kong Mak, Altenwörth, Niederösterreich, Austria..After Pauline Barker completed the first Butterfly Ice Mile in Harthill Reservoir in Rotherham, England in 52 minutes on November 23rd 2016 in 4.73°C water.
Chun Kong Mak took up the challenge on February 16th in Altenwörth, Niederösterreich, Austria. He became the first man and second swimmer after Barker to complete Butterfly Ice Mile. He reports, “It was all legal fly, no wetsuit in 4.7°C water. 1609m at least in 43 minutes 3 seconds.
He described his achievement in more detail on Facebook, “[I will] share my mind flow from the amazing Ice Mile journey. Feel grateful that I completed 1609m under 5.0°C water in full butterfly stroke and became the first man in the world to finish this challenge after Pauline Barker as the first woman.
In the last 300m, my mind got into the state of flow. My consciousness decreased. Control in stroke, core and breathe started to be not so sharp. My mind and body just kept running like a mechanical machine with the butterfly motor program. When my mind started to be blur, that was when the meditation started. After the 43 minute swim, my mind blacked out for 20 minutes. I had no ideas how I went up from water and what happened after it.
Clarity of my mind was gained and thoughts became primitive when I just wanted to survive. Ideas and memories flashed through my mind . They just came and left. For example, work, job and career did not appear. This means one day when you would die, jobs and career are not important in life. You won’t even remember them before you will die.
Three voices pop up in my head:
First: my mum told me many times in my life “Mak Chun Kong, don’t do silly things please.” Sorry mum…I have ignored a lot of things you told in life.
Second: my coach told me “only swim when you are in control.” I told myself yes everything is still in control.
Third: My girlfriend told me “You can finish it!” My girl’s voice aligned with my mind the most. She was actually standing next to the ice pool and sending me tele-wish. The life environment where I grew has given to me too much fear. This 2 years of ice journey educates me to do things for love and passion. Choose the love over fear! Miracle can happen!“
He acknowledged the help and support that the International Ice Swimming Association Austria team provided for the organization, and training and inspiration that he received from Rostislav Vítek and the support he received from Anna Klčová and Colin Bushweller.
Copyright © 2008 – 2020 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)
