“I SHOULD HAVE ALL SEVEN DONE BY 2013” Darren Miller, 28, is one of those at empting to swim all of the Ocean’s Seven. He talks about embarking on the challenge, his progress, and why challenging ourselves is the most important thing we can do... “My personal philosophy is that every breath is a giſt , and I try never to take each day for granted. I think, 'If you died tomorrow, would you be happy with the life you have lived?' If not, then you have some work to do. “The Ocean’s Seven is a unique opportunity to push yourself further than you ever thought possible, and to do something that has never been completed before. I fi rst took on the challenge because I was at racted to the idea of travelling the world, meeting great people and swimming in amazing environments, but it has been the thought of how much I can fundraise that has really spurred me on. “When I completed my fi rst crossing – the English Channel – in July 2010, I raised almost $23,000 for the Forever Fund, which goes to the Children’s Hospital of Pit sburgh for children with heart problems. I co-founded the Forever Fund with Cathy Cartieri Mehl aſt er her father’s passing in the later 1990s. “She funded my English Channel swim, and I have sponsors
(Trustmont Financial Group of Greensburg, EnergyCareUSA and East Suburban Sports Medical Center) for the additional six swims, so all the money I raise can go to charity and not to paying administration costs.
“I'm doing the Catalina Channel on 2 August, and I hope to do the third of the seven oceans – the Molokai Channel – on 16 September. If I move forward with two per year (Mother Nature permit ing), I should have all seven done by the end of 2013.” “Completing the Ocean’s Seven would be an awesome
experience. I would like to be the fi rst to swim them all but if someone else is fi rst, I would just continue to pursue other swimming adventures.
“I am doing these swims not just because I want to raise money for the Forever Fund, but because I want to be an inspiration for others to push themselves to see what they are capable of, and to see what they can do to make the world a bet er place.
“I am combining two things I love – fundraising and swimming – while get ing to travel the world. I couldn’t ask for anything bet er!”
For more on Darren’s progress or on the
Forever Fund, please see his website,
darren-miller.com
Photo © Timeless Expressions/ Lisa and Jennifer
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