Quadruple Amputee Swims the Channel Between Britain & France at 2x the Speed his Team Expected!

Philippe Croizon, who lost his limbs in an electrical accident, uses flippers to make crossing in 13 and a half hours

Peter Walker
guardian.co.uk, Sunday September 19 2010



Only a few decades ago, it would have counted as one of the faster Channel swims of all time, so it was all the more remarkable that Philippe Croizon, who as no arms or legs, crossed in 13 and a half hours.

The 42-year-old quadruple amputee completed the 21-mile swim from Folkstone to Wissant, at Cap Gris Nez, almost twice as quickly as his team had expected. He was assisted by favourable winds and, according to his exultant father, the encouragement of a pod of watchful dolphins. The three dolphins joined him for some of the crossing, and Gerard Croizon said: "We took that as a sign of good luck."

"I did it, it's crazy!" an ecstatic Croizon told French radio after being helped from the water late yesterday evening.

He had set off at 6.30am, expecting to spend up to 24 hours in the water.

The swim was, he explained, "a symbol of overcoming your limits". He added: "I've done this for myself, for my family, and for all those who have suffered tragedy and lost their taste for life."

More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/19/quadruple-amputee-swims-channel