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Ultramarathon swimmer Bengisu Avci from Izmir has set a new national record by completing the treacherous North Channel crossing in 10 hours and 48 seconds.
Known for its freezing waters, powerful tides, and strong winds, the North Channel is considered one of the most demanding parts of the Oceans Seven open-water swimming challenge.
Starting from Bangor, Northern Ireland, Avci swam with a relentless rhythm and overcame the severe conditions with exceptional endurance.
Throughout the crossing, she made approximately 42,000 strokes—maintaining a pace that exceeded her personal standard of 62 strokes per minute from the very first meters.
Her record-breaking swim made her the fastest Turkish athlete ever to complete this stretch of water between Ireland and Scotland, which typically takes around 12 hours to swim.
The North Channel, with a water temperature of just 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit), is infamous among open-water swimmers for its grueling nature.
The crossing not only tests physical strength but also mental resilience, with fluctuating currents and unpredictable weather making the route particularly perilous.
Despite these challenges, Avci delivered what observers described as a near-mechanical performance, maintaining form and speed without pause for over 10 hours.
Her calculated and disciplined effort defied the natural elements, earning her a prominent place in Türkiye’s open-water swimming history.
Designed as the aquatic equivalent of the Seven Summits mountaineering challenge, Oceans Seven is a global marathon swimming series that comprises seven of the world’s most difficult open-water crossings.
These include the English Channel, North Channel, Cook Strait (New Zealand), Molokai Channel (Hawaii), Catalina Channel (California), Tsugaru Strait (Japan) and the Strait of Gibraltar.
Completion of all seven swims is considered one of the ultimate feats in endurance sports. With her successful North Channel attempt, Avci moves a step closer to joining the elite group of swimmers who have taken on this formidable series.
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