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A WORLD RECORD FOR NATURE

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE SUSTAINABLE OWS PRACTICIES

Context
Historically, only performances completed in a swimsuit could be officially recognized as records. However, this rule required athletes to use large amounts of sunscreen, often harmful to the marine environment. In an effort to evolve the discipline towards more sustainable practices and to align with the cause we defend, we initiated discussions with several official open-water swimming organizations. After months of discussions and in-depth analysis, one of the largest federations in the field, the World Open Water Swimming Federation (WOWSF), approved the introduction of a new category allowing records to be recognized while wearing a wetsuit. This is a victory for Nature and for athletes, who can now achieve more sustainable performances.

 

Record Title
We use the title "The World’s Longest Swim for Nature" to designate the longest continuous open water swim in the sea or ocean, in a wetsuit, in a current-neutral zone. If successful, Noam Yaron will achieve this record with his approximately 180 km swim between Calvi, Corsica, and Monaco, completed over a duration of up to 5 days and 5 nights, in a wetsuit and without leaving the water, under the supervision and ratification of the World Open Water Swimming Federation (WOWSF).

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Ratification Conditions

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Comparison with Other Records in Different Categories

  • Diana Nyad (177 km, swimsuit, 52h54min, crossing the Gulf Stream) – First person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage in September 2013.

  • Pablo Fernandez (250 km, swimsuit, assisted by the Gulf Stream, 26h36min) – Swam with the assistance of the Gulf Stream, nearly doubling the average speed of Olympic swimmers in a 10 km race due to strong currents.

  • Neil Agius (142.3 km, swimsuit, current-neutral, 52h) – Holds the record for the longest unassisted ocean swim in a current-neutral zone (men’s category), completed around the islands near Malta in September 2024.

  • Martin Strel (504.5 km, river swim, assisted by the current, 84h) – Swam the Danube from Austria to Hungary in July 2001, aided by strong currents.

  • Ross Edgley (2,884 km, segmented swim, wetsuit, boat rest stops, 157 days) – Swam around Great Britain in 2018, completing the distance in segments while resting on a boat.

  • Ross Edgley (510 km, uninterrupted swim, Yukon River descent, Canada, 31 days) – Completed without touching land, assisted by strong currents in cold water.


The most comparable record to Noam’s swim to date seems to be:

  • Neil Agius (142.3 km, swimsuit, current-neutral, 52h in Malta - Mediterranean) – Although it was not an open ocean crossing and was completed in a swimsuit.

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Official Statement from WOWSF

“Noam Yaron's crossing is more than just a sporting feat: it serves as an inspiration to raise awareness about water conservation and biodiversity. We look forward to endorsing this incredible challenge and supporting his mission to protect the Mediterranean Sea and the ocean.”

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Official Ratification — WOWSF

The Calvi–Monaco crossing has been officially ratified by the World Open Water Swimming Federation (WOWSF), an internationally recognized open water swimming federation. This ratification document certifies that all conditions imposed by the federation were met: continuous swimming, no motorized traction, current-neutral zone, and compliance with authorized equipment.

In the interest of full transparency and with the goal of submitting this performance to the Guinness World Records, this dossier has also been shared with the World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA), an independent reference authority in open water swimming, for review and verification. This step reflects our commitment to openness and constructive dialogue with all governing bodies of open water swimming.

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