Société Nationale Des Phares Et Balises Crossing
Jacques Tuset of France completed the first Ar-Men Raid crossing between two mythical lighthouses in western France: Ar-Men Lighthouse and Tévennec Lighthouse on August 2nd, 2013. The 50-year-old Tuset swam a rough 15 km from the start at Ar-Men and the finish at Tévennec as a charity swim.
Performed on behalf of the Société Nationale des Phares et Balises Foundation whose mission is to safeguard heritage lighthouses in France, the swim crossing was governed by the French Société Nationale des Phares et Balises (SNPB). “I faced 15 km of heavy seas, cold water under 16°C, jellyfish and very strong currents. But our first attempt of the Ar-Men Raid – a 5 hour 11 minute crossing escorted by kayakers Hugues Termeau and Patrice Le Roux – was a success.
It is considered by many sailors to be the most difficult place for navigation. Low tides expose reefs and the speed of the currents change with the wind and waves. It was an in-the-start start and finish. It is not only forbidden, but also dangerous [to start/finish on land].
Ar-Men is the first lighthouse that you can see when you come to France from America.”
Copyright © 2013 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.
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