Last month, the World's Oldest Swim returned and we were more involved than ever before, thrilled to see so many SwimTrekkers back in Turkish waters, following Byron's wake across the world's busiest shipping channel...
The World's Oldest Swim
The Hellespont and Dardanelles swim is a truly iconic event that takes place ever year on 'Victory Day' in Canakkale, Turkey. It's a once-in-a-lifetime rite of passage for open water swimmers and SwimTrek are the sole provider of all Hellespont race places for non-Turkish residents, supporting your cross-continental swim from Europe to Asia!
You've all been asking to see more photos from this year's event, so here we have a few 2023 highlights as crowds charge across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes (closed for the race), following the historical wakes of Leander (from Greek mythology) and Lord Byron, who both helped to make these waters so legendary.
A Truly Historic Event
No other open water challenge combines as much history, prestige, romance and bragging rights into a single swim as this legendary crossing of the Dardanelles strait - not far from the dusty battlefields of ancient Troy and the settings of World War I battles, when the Gallipoli Campaign took place! The crossing also holds a special place in SwimTrek’s history as the swim which prompted our fearless founder, Simon Murie, to set up a pioneering open water swimming company back in 2003 (20 years ago this year).
If you would like to book your place for next year, please register your interest and join the mailing list on our Hellespont, 2024 trip page. You can also check out our Hellespont Week Tour to extend your time in Turkey.
'The crossing also holds a special place in SwimTrek’s history as the swim which prompted our fearless founder, Simon Murie, to set up a pioneering open water swimming company in 2003...'
%20%7C%20%3CDEFAULT_SUFFIX%3E){kind=link}