Liquid camino in Holland

[Purky]

Imagine a camino of 195 km. Your aim is to do it in three days, visiting eleven cities on the way. You got the visual? Okay, now imagine doing it swimming!

A large part of Holland is collectively going nuts at the moment because this is really happening. Maarten van der Weijden, succesful open water swimmer (Olympic champion, World champion), is actually doing it. Last year he attempted the same, but stranded at the 163 km mark.

He is swimming the 'Elfstedentocht', normally a brutal 200 km skating tour on natural ice, deeply routed in Dutch culture. The last time we had one was in 1997, when winters were still cold.

As a recent cancer survivor himself, Maarten is doing this to raise money and awareness for cancer research. He hit the water last Friday the 21st at 17:30, and as I am writing this on Monday the 24th, he has 11 km to go. Ahead of schedule...

I know this has little or nothing to do with the camino, but I wanted to share this with you anyway. Just wow...

 

[Marc S.]

Just saw him taking a short break, hugging his children, waving to the crowd, eating yet another slice of pizza ...... and ready to go again. Truely inspirational !

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

He is going strong .
The counter is already at 2,4 million euro.

So amazing and inspirational .

 

[VNwalking]

Swimming 65km per day?!
I can't imagine three days in a row of walking that.

Wonderful.

 

[Ianinam]

Yes, this really is an incredible achievement! He swims day and night, with just some short stops in between for a short sleep and for a meal. During the nights the farmers with their tractors shine their lights over the water.

 

[MinaKamina]

When I read 'liquid Camino', I thought of something completely different.... which I recommend on a hot day like this




Maarten van der Weijden is mad in a very good way.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Imagine a camino of 195 km.

The thread title had me hoping for something more like a 195 brewery camino...

 

[nycwalking]

Oh my!

What a feat.

 

[Former member 49149]

Yes, this really is an incredible achievement! He swims day and night, with just some short stops in between for a short sleep and for a meal. During the nights the farmers with their tractors shine their lights over the water.

Oh! this is so wonderful!

 

[lizlane]

LOL to all my fellow lushes out there! But I thought of this, a new way to earn the Compestela. Be sure to click the appropriate flag to view the article in the language you understand:

“Nuevas rutas potencian la importancia del Xacobeo”

Emilia Padín Sixto, experta en Turismo Internacional, recogió ayer la Compostela tras completar ...

www.radiocaminodesantiago.com

 

[Marc S.]

OMG watching his arrival on Dutch television. So this guy gets out of the water, walks to his mum and dad to give them a kiss (while he hasn't stood on his legs for three days) and immediately gives an interview, sounding utterly composed and calm (yeh it took quite long but I really enjoyed it). I was almost expecting him to say "well let's go for another lap".

 

[Purky]

When I read 'liquid Camino', I thought of something completely different...

The thread title had me hoping for something more like a 195 brewery camino...

I know how to draw a crowd...


And to wrap things up: he actually pulled it off.
Swam 195 km, raised 3,9 million euros, looked like he just took a walk in the park. What a boss!!

 

[Stivandrer]

 

[Stivandrer]

Good on him ..
Thank God for crazy things made by good people..
- hasn´t got to worry about 10% weight limit of rucksack or whether to have boots or trainers....

 

[Turga]

- hasn´t got to worry about 10% weight limit of rucksack or whether to have boots or trainers....

But to wear swim trunks or speedos could be just as much of a worry...