SOLO LAKE MALAWI OCTOBER 2024
Tracking Link:
https://maps.findmespot.com/s/PDHL
Swimmer Narrative:
“Every year, I aim to swim one lake and one ocean. Completing the Still Water 8 is my ultimate goal,” he stated. To prepare for this swim, Ragıp adjusted his training to focus on conditions similar to those in Malawi. “I trained in a pool in Istanbul at 28 degrees Celsius and spent two days at Iznik Lake, where the water was 29–30 degrees Celsius. This was critical for adapting to the expected temperatures.”
As the swim approached, Ragıp expressed a mix of excitement and concern. “I was worried about the water and air temperatures, but the opportunity to swim in Malawi was incredibly motivating,” he said.
“Prior to the swim, Walter, our official, provided two potential dates for the crossing: Friday, October 18th, and Saturday, October 19th,” Ragıp recalled. “October 18 was forecast to be wavy but cooler due to a passing storm, while October 19 was expected to have calm waters but higher temperatures. Since I’m not accustomed to heat, I chose October 18 after discussing with my mentor, Mehmet Erdoğan.”
On Thursday evening, Ragıp and his team camped at the starting point of the lake. The next morning, he set off at 6:39 am. “As I started, I realized just how misleading the seemingly small waves were. They kept rising, and both the water and air were warming rapidly,” he explained.
The swim quickly became a physical and mental test. “By the seventh or eighth feeding, I remember asking Mehmet, ‘When will these waves end?’ He replied, ‘Vural, we’re almost there. Don’t break the tempo; we’re doing very well.’ That encouragement kept me going.”
I was so tired. The sun was burning, and the water temperature was rising to the maximum levels.
As a precaution, during feeding hours, I started to apply ice-cold water to my head and body, as recommended by our friend Dursun Saru. At every meal, my friend Mehmet would throw ice-cold water to me in a mixing bowl, and I tried to pour the cold water over my head.”
This helped me relax a bit, but my speed was still very low. The wind was coming from behind, but the current was pushing in the opposite direction. I asked Mehmet several times, ‘Are we progressing?’ He kept encouraging me, saying we were moving forward.
My stomach couldn’t handle any more food, and I couldn’t feed. We had planned to finish the swim before dark, but with all the difficulties we faced, it wasn’t possible.
As night fell, Captain Walter put a light on my spare goggles and handed them to me. While the air cooled slightly, the water remained warm. I kept pouring cold water over my head. Finally, Mehmet told me with encouragement that there were less than 700 meters left to the shore and that I needed to push forward and hit the rocks.
That final motivation gave me the energy to finish. I reached the shore and touched the rock with my hand.
Thus, we reached the end of another adventure, and I am proud to say I am the “first Turkish marathon swimmer” to cross Lake Malawi.
I deeply thank all my friends who supported me during this process, especially my dear friend and mentor, Mehmet Erdoğan.”