US Swimmer Attempts World Solo Swim Record Across the Sea of Cortez MarketWatch
go to original May 3, 2012

MILL VALLEY, Calif. - On June 11th, 48-year-old Californian Paul Lundgren will attempt to complete the longest unassisted solo nonstop open water swim in history.

If completed, his 76-mile swim across Mexico's Sea of Cortez will also mark the first successful traverse of that body of water following two failed relay attempts, the second of which included Paul as a team member.

Lundgren stated, "It's not about finishing what the relay team couldn't finish - it's about getting back to the Sea (of Cortez). There is a special relationship there that hasn't fully been explored. The Sea and I hit it off so well the first time we met, I am compelled to swim it again."

His plan is to swim from west to east, from Baja to the mainland, starting the swim at 3 a.m. on June 11th, 2012 in Loreto, BCS Mexico. Lundgren estimates coming ashore near Guayamus, approximately 45 hours after setting course.

While carnivorous, potentially deadly Humboldt squid occupied the pre-race focus of the last relay attempt in May of 2010, it was a rash of debilitating, life-threatening jellyfish stings that ended the six-person team's swim after going roughly 68 of a planned 118 miles. Seven months later, in January 2011, Paul began a rigorous 16-month training regimen that has incorporated weight lifting, hiking, running and swimming. Each month he has increased the duration and intensity towards what he believes will result in the optimum mental, physical, and emotional state to complete the journey.

As a couple of recent highly-publicized and well-planned solo record attempts have shown, crossing the open sea is far from automatic; preparation, fitness, and force of will can be quickly negated in a fascinating but unforgiving and changeable environment in which humans are often ill-equipped guests. Still, Paul says he hears the Sea, and believes this to be his calling.

"There's something almost mystical swimming alone in the open sea for extended periods of time," added Lundgren. "I feel fortunate and thankful to be able to pursue such a grand adventure. It wouldn't be possible without the amazing support of my family, friends, sponsors, and the swimming community."

Paul's solo attempt will be supported by a crew of ten following on the Mariana, a fishing boat out of La Paz. The swim is supported in part by UCANN, a leading nutritional supplement company, and La Mision Hotel of Loreto, Baja California Sur. The swim will bring awareness to Eco-Alianza de Loreto A.C., a nonprofit conservation organization committed to protecting and preserving the fragile eco-systems of the Bay of Loreto National Park, a World Heritage Site www.ecoalianzaloreto.org.

For more information, follow Paul and crew at www.solocortez.com.

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!