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 Press releases & statements |
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| Swimming the Gibraltar Strait in a day to raise money for cancer |
July 7, 2008
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Four Oxford Graduates are set to swim the Gibraltar Strait to raise money for World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).
Keen swimmers Emma Penn, 21, Ginger Turner, 25, James Briaris, 26, and Darek Nehrebecki , 23, along with friends Nate Singer, 25 and Nicholas Staubach, 25, will take part in a strenuous swimming relay through the Gibraltar Strait at the end of the summer.
The team, four of which have studied at St Johns College, Oxford University, hope to complete the relay in just six hours, each swimming about 4km through very tough conditions.
On August 30, they will fly out to Tarifa in Spain to take up the challenge, swimming all the way to the Moroccan coast before September 6.
They will battle hazards such as low water temperature, dense fog, strong winds and currents and up to 300 vessels sailing through the strait at any one time.
Darek Nehrebecki, secretary of the Oxford Volleyball team and studying MPhil Economics, said the team couldn’t wait to start the challenge.
He said: “Training is going well and we are all feeling very positive. We only have a small window to complete the swim, but I’m sure we can do it.
“It will be an amazing experience for us all and hopefully we will raise lots of money for WCRF.”
Ginger Turner is also studying an MPhil Economics and James Briaris, is currently completing a PHD in Mechanical Engineering. Both said they couldn’t wait to take up the challenge.
Emma Penn, who will continue her MChem degree in September, said: “I’m extremely excited about the challenge. I’ve always loved swimming and have been a keen swimmer since I was four. So when the rest of the team suggested doing this swim, I was totally up for it.
“We decided to raise money for WCRF because we have all lost relatives to cancer. It is something that affects everyone and the more research that can be done into cancer prevention the better.
“My mum Debbie is really anxious though, and is convinced that I’m going to drown, get eaten by a shark, stung by a jellyfish or collide with a boat! She said she won’t rest easy until I’m back on dry land.”
The team hope to raise £10,000 for WCRF and James is also hoping to swim the entire strait, which is up to 22km!
Teresa Nightingale, head of fundraising at WCRF, said: “We are delighted the team is doing such a fantastic thing for us. We wish them the very best of luck in completing their swim in good time and get to the Moroccan coast safely!
“The money they raise will go towards our research and education programmes into the link between lifestyle and cancer risk.”
To donate please visit the team’s webpage, www.wcrf-uk.org/gibraltarswim
For more information on WCRF, please visit www.wcrf-uk.org.
ENDS
For more information please contact Sheryl Plant on 020 7343 4273.
Notes to editors
The shortest distance across the Gibraltar Strait is from Punta Oliveros (Spain) to Punta Cires (Morocco) with a total distance of 7.8 nautical miles (14.4 kilometers) 2But due to strong currents which prevail in the strait, swimmers must swim in a S formation, from Tarifa Island to the vicinity of Punta Cires having to swim between 10 to 12 nautical miles (18.5 to 22 kilometers). Currents may reach more than 3 knots (5.5 Km/h).
The temperature of the water in the Strait of Gibraltar may vary from between 15ºC in winter to 22ºC in summer, so that it is advisable to attempt the crossing in the spring or summer period where the risk of hypothermia is smaller.
The duration of the crossing depends on the characteristics of each swimmer and the sea and current conditions but it is estimated from between 4 to 7 hours.
The Gibraltar Strait is one of the busiest maritime zone of the world, with up to 300 vessels sailing through daily, not counting the ferries that cross between the harbours on both coasts of the Strait as well as many fishing and pleasure boats.
The Strait of Gibraltar and especially the area of Tarifa is a very special zone, meteorologically speaking, which present a microclimate where sudden changes of wind ands strong and persistent easterly winds prevail.
About WCRF
World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) raises awareness that cancer is largely preventable and helps people make choices to reduce their chances of developing the disease.
This includes research into how cancer risk is related to diet, physical activity, and weight management, and education programmes that highlight the fact that about a third of cancers could be prevented through changes to lifestyle. For more information on the charity’s work, visit www.wcrf-uk.org
The WCRF report, called Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective, was launched in November 2007 and is the most comprehensive report ever published on the link between cancer and lifestyle. For more information, visit www.dietandcancerreport.org. |
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WCRF UK, 19 Harley Street, London W1G 9QJ - Tel: 020 7343 4200 - Fax: 020 7343 4201 - wcrf@wcrf.org
Registered Charity No. 1000739
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