Two Cuban athletes successfully swam across the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Spain from Africa, a major challenge for long-distance open water swimmers. The Cuban-born Spaniard Alexis Rodríguez Castedo, 61, and Cuban-Frenchman Arnaldo "Nino" Fraguela Paz, 62, accomplished the feat on July 13, alongside Spaniards José María López Sánchez, 56, and Juan Alberto Martín-Moyano Zamora, 36.
The group started at 3:23 PM (local time) that Saturday from Isla de Las Palomas in Tarifa, Cádiz, and covered 16.8 kilometers to Punta Almansa, north of Morocco, in four hours and 26 minutes. The average water temperature was 19.9 degrees Celsius, according to news portals.
On his Instagram account, Fraguela Paz documented the achievement: "Strait of Gibraltar, 16.8 kms in 4:26, 1:30 average per 100 meters, 4 kms per hour. Second challenge for the 7 Seas of Cumplido. Next, Catalina Channel."
López Sánchez, a native of Madrid, completed his fifteenth swim across the strait, setting a record officially recognized by the Strait of Gibraltar Swimming Association (ACNEG). He completed the swim using a wetsuit, while his colleagues swam without one.
The four swimmers undertook the journey to raise awareness about the importance of bone marrow donation, as part of a campaign by the association Héroes hasta la médula.
On the same day, another group comprising Mexican swimmer Aby Ortega González, 57, and her compatriot Gonzalo Nadal Álvarez, 46; Peruvian Eduardo Collazos Valle, 53; and Italian Stefano Del Papa, 46, also crossed the Strait of Gibraltar, from Tarifa to Punta Cires, in four hours and six minutes, with an average water temperature of 19.5 degrees Celsius, reported Europa Sur.
In January 2023, Fraguela Paz announced he would swim 52 kilometers between Catalina Island and Long Beach, California, surrounded by sharks, to attempt the World Open Water Swimming Triple Crown. Known as Nino, he is a native of Havana and has lived in France for 30 years, where he runs his own academy specializing in training athletes for open water competitions. He is also registered as the first Cuban to swim across the English Channel.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Strait of Gibraltar Swim
Here are some common questions and answers regarding the recent swim across the Strait of Gibraltar by two Cuban athletes.
How long did it take the swimmers to cross the Strait of Gibraltar?
The swimmers took four hours and 26 minutes to swim the 16.8 kilometers from Isla de Las Palomas in Tarifa, Cádiz, to Punta Almansa, north of Morocco.
What was the average water temperature during the swim?
The average water temperature was 19.9 degrees Celsius.
Did the swimmers use wetsuits?
José María López Sánchez used a wetsuit, while the other swimmers completed the journey without wetsuits.
What was the purpose of the swim?
The swim was undertaken to raise awareness about the importance of bone marrow donation as part of a campaign by the association Héroes hasta la médula.