Photos © ACNEG/ Swim Trek
Because of this prevailing current, the shortest point-to- point distance would not make a successful swim. Most swims therefore start from Tarifa Island, lying just off the Spanish coast, where attempters benefi t from the strong eastbound current, and fi nish at Punta Cires, on the Moroccan coast, over an overall distance of between 17 to 22km, depending on the prevailing conditions. To cross the Strait, the swimmer should consistently aim south towards the Moroccan coast and let the prevailing current push them east.
Aside from managing the currents, there are other factors to be considered when planning a crossing. Tarifa is a highly popular windsurfi ng area, and boat traffi c can also be an issue, with more than 300 vessels passing through the Strait on an average day.
Both the Spanish and Moroccan coasts offer dramatic mountain landscapes. Wildlife is prominent in the area, with dolphins, whales and turtles being spotted on swim crossings. Those who make it across get their names in the history books.
The fi rst successful crossing of the Strait was made back in 1928 by the British swimmer Mercedes Gleitze, who completed it in a time of 12hrs 50 mins. The year earlier she was the fi rst British female swimmer to cross the English Channel. Present day swimming times are a lot quicker. The current record for a non-wetsuit swim of 2hrs 16 mins is held by Greek swimmer Georgios Charcharis. Average swim times are now between four and six hours. Walliams and Cracknell – probably the most high-profi le pair to ever attempt it – did it in four hrs, 36 mins. But it certainly wasn’t all fun and games. “Swimming and throwing up shouldn’t go together,” said Walliams afterwards. “It was tough.” ∆
THE STRAIT IS A PLACE OF CONVERGENCE, SWIMMING IT IS SYMBOLIC
Wildlife is abundant in the Strait; (above) two victorious swimmers
Jose Luis Orta during his four hour crossing
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