[WATCH] Solo Swimmer Martin did it!
It is with tremendous joy that we announce that Martin Hobbs broke a world record and finished his swim through the length of Lake Malawi.
One man in Lake Malawi, swimming 581 kilometres in 60 days. Some said it was impossible, but Martin Hobbs said, “I did it!” … and he broke a Guinness World Record on top of it too!
Earlier this year, the News reported on 45-year-old Martin who discussed his plans to swim a gruelling 581km in 45 to 60 days, all in the name of charity – The Smile Foundation – and to become a Guinness World Record holder. And to make things a bit harder, Martin told the News he would be swimming the distance breaststroke.
Read more here:
https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/372245/watch-breaststroker-taking-on-lake-malawi/
This initial report now feels like a distant memory as Martin and his team will be heading home soon to celebrate not just finishing the 581km on time, but also revelling in the huge difference they made in creating awareness and raising funds for The Smile Foundation. The Foundation is a leading South African non-governmental charitable organisation with a comprehensive health care vision for children living with facial conditions.
“We are in absolute awe of Martin; we are so proud of him. We thank you so much for taking on a monster challenge to help change the lives of children. The funds you raised will be used to change children’s lives, and to say ‘thank you’ is an understatement,” said the CEO of the Foundation, Hedley Lewis, in a video message to Martin and his team.
The News followed the last couple of days of Martin’s journey, which in the end became daunting. With water temperatures in the low 30s and the outside weather even hotter, his struggle to finish seemed to get harder and harder each day.
On Day 47, he had one of the first calm days in two weeks on the water. He swam 19,5km and considered it one of his best days. But his best day by far was Day 44 – the day he broke the Guinness World Record as a solo swimmer, finishing 480km in under 45 days, which was the previous record.
Also Read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/374938/watch-solo-swimmer-enters-day-9-while-battling-many-obstacles/
To put the icing on the cake, Sterkfontein Poultry and Sterkfontein Game pledged to donate R100 000 towards the Foundation if and when Martin finished.
The News congratulated Martin and his team on a well-deserved achievement and is looking forward to celebrating their victory when they return home.
To view Martin’s journey, visit his Facebook page Solo Swimmer581 to see videos and photos of his days on Lake Malawi.
WATCH
https://www.facebook.com/soloswimmer581/videos/369250807023257/
https://www.facebook.com/soloswimmer581/videos/2276483485960220/
https://www.facebook.com/soloswimmer581/videos/579549479223857/
https://www.facebook.com/soloswimmer581/videos/413945962734581/
