Swimming Strait for a Record

Swimming Strait for a Record

Zhang Jian, a 36-year-old physical education teacher, plunged into the sea near Dalian to kick off his mammoth swimming marathon across the Bohai Strait, according to Chinadaily.

Zhang, from Beijing, wants to be the first man in the world to swim across such a long strait -- more than 100 kilometres.

Zhang jumped off the platform Tuesday morning at the foot of Mount Laotieshan on the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula.

It was the start of a 40-hour-plus journey to Penglai, 109 kilometres away in Shandong Province across the Straits.

"I'm feeling well and confident,'' he said before leaving.

"The Bohai Strait is so far the longest distance man has tried to swim across. The man needs extraordinary power, will and wisdom,'' said Hu Jiangbin, secretary-general of the organizing committee.

Hu listed many problems that Zhang will have to overcome while crossing the water.

The current may be the first hazard as it could make Zhang lose his sense of direction.

In some areas, fishermen say, he could be attacked by sharks or jellyfish.

Another problem is that no one knows exactly how long Zhang will swim for, and where exactly he will be when he reaches the opposite shore, as he can't take a straight route.

By 9:00 pm last night, Zhang had finished the toughest part of the swim, the first 25 kilometres. He was reportedly in a pretty good physical condition, but said he felt sleepy.

He will be fed every hour with a special gel that can be absorbed with little drainage, said Cao Jianmin, associate professor with Beijing University of Physical Education.

To protect him from the seawater, Zhang will wear a special swimming costume. He will also gargle with milk, which is believed to protect his tongue from becoming swollen.

To keep him awake at night, a guiding ship will cast light to show him the way. People on a fishing boat will also maintain communication with the swimmer, Cao said.