WOWSA Performance of the Year Nominee Patagonia Extreme Cold Water Challenge (Chile and Argentina) – Adventure at the Tip of South America

Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.

Ram Barkai, Toks Viviers, Kieron Palframan, Ryan Stramrood and Andrew Chin, friends and teammates from South Africa, attempted and succeeded at the Patagonia Extreme Cold Water Challenge. They traveled to the tip of South America to attempt three extreme cold water swims within 12 days.

No wetsuits, no neoprene caps.

The men boldly tackled the Beagle Channel, the Strait of Magellan and Cape Horn as their inspiration, Lynne Cox, would: with only a swimsuit, cap and goggles. Their swims were ambitiously planned and done in rough water, against strong currents and in water between 3.9°C and 8°C.

They explored the outer reaches of their physiological limits and proved to themselves – and others – what is possible with tough-nosed training. 4.5 km across the Strait of Magellan, 3.2 km double crossing the Beagle Channel and 2.5 km around Cape Horn, all done in wind-whipped seas with little time to recover. For their scientifically sound training, their commitment to each other, their honor of the traditions of the sport, and their safe and successful madcapped adventure into the extreme, the Patagonia Extreme Cold Water Challenge by the men from Cape Town is a worthy nominee for the 2011 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year.

For more information on the Patagonia Extreme Cold Water Challenge, visit here.

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WOWSA aims to promote open water swimming as a global sport for those of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.  It hosts the World Open Water Swimming Awards to recognize the open water swimming’s heroes and heroines.



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