The Swim: Crossing the Pacific Ocean
Ben Lecomte is attempting to cross the Pacific Ocean from Japan to California, which would be the longest swim in history. However, the long-term value of The Swim will be the information and science that will be uncovered.
The Swim is a 5,419-mile (8,721-kilometer) transoceanic assisted stage swim between Japan and California. Lecomte walked into the Pacific Ocean off the coast east of Tokyo on June 5 and is currently swimming along the Kuroshio Current across the North Pacific Gyre (plastic accumulation zone) and the Great White Shark migration area. If everything goes to plan, he will approach the California shore after eight months.
“I’m an adventurer who likes to swim,” says Lecomte. “I am trying to push the limits, trying to do something that has never been done before.”
Lecomte and his support crew are out in the Pacific Ocean— far away from any land for several months—swimming, living and conducting scientific experiments onboard a 67-foot solar-powered, self-contained escort boat called the Seeker.
To learn more about Lecomte and his swim across the Pacific Ocean, check out the November 2018 issue of Swimming World Magazine, available now! Swimming World subscribers can download this issue in the Swimming World Vault!
[PHOTO BY ANDREA STACCIOLI/DEEPBLUEMEDIA/INSIDEFOTO]
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FEATURES
016 2018 OPEN WATER SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR
by Annie Grevers and David Rieder
Sharon van Rouwendaal, 25, of the Netherlands earned her third Swimming World Female Open Water Swimmer of the Year award (2014, 2016, 2018), while Hungary’s Kristof Rasovszky, 21, won his first Male SOY title only a year after making his open water swimming debut at last year’s World Championships.
020 THE SWIM
by Steven Munatones
Ben Lecomte is attempting to cross the Pacific Ocean from Japan to California, which would be the longest swim in history. However, the long-term value of The Swim will be the information and science that will be uncovered.
022 THE DUTCH CLOSER
by Steven Munatones
With a furious sprint to the finish, The Netherlands’ Ferry Weertman won this year’s RCP Tiburon Mile in San Francisco Bay. Only six seconds separated the top five finishers, including the fastest woman, the USA’s Ashley Twichell.
024 SWIMMING TO HELP FIGHT CANCER
by Joseph Salvatore Prezioso
This past summer’s Boston Harbor Open Water Swim was one of several swimming-related events sponsored by Swim Across America to raise money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment. Since its founding in June 1987, SAA has raised more than $75 million that has been donated to hospitals throughout the United States.
026 TWICE THE MAN
by David Rieder
Not many swimmers are able to do what Jordan Wilimovsky does—and that’s swim both the 1500 meter freestyle in the pool and the 10K Marathon race in open water…and be successful at both. In fact, in 2016 he became the first American ever to qualify in both pool and open water events at the same Olympics.
COACHING
010 LESSONS WITH THE LEGENDS: RAY BUSSARD
by Michael J. Stott
014 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON BIOMECHANICS AND MEDICINE IN SWIMMING
by Rod Havriluk
The XIIIth International Symposium on Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming (BMS) was held in Japan, Sept. 17-21, at the University of Tsukuba. There were presentations by delegates from 23 countries on a wide range of topics—from learning skills for drowning prevention to technique and training strategies for optimizing performance.
034 DO MULTI-SPORT ATHLETES MAKE BETTER SWIMMERS?
by Michael J. Stott
While there is no scientific certainty surrounding this question, there is considerable empirical evidence to support it.
037 SPECIAL SETS: JEFFCO 400 IM SETS
by Michael J. Stott
042 Q&A WITH COACH SCOTT TEETERS
by Michael J. Stott
043 HOW THEY TRAIN AARON BUCHANAN AND IRAN ALMEIDA
by Michael J. Stott
TRAINING
041 DRYSIDE TRAINING: STROKE AND DISTANCE STRENGTH SERIES— MID-DISTANCE FREESTYLE
by J.R. Rosania
JUNIOR SWIMMER
038 GOLDMINDS: ANYONE CAN LEAD!
by Wayne Goldsmith
All it really takes to be a great leader on your team is a willingness and a desire to help your teammates be all they can be.
045 UP & COMERS: GRACE MONAHAN
by Taylor Brien
COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS
008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT
013 BEYOND THE YARDS
019 THE OFFICIAL WORD
029 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
046 GUTTER TALK
048 PARTING SHOT