Belgian adventurer Matthieu Bonne set off at 10:00 on Thursday in Greece on a world record attempt for the longest non-stop swim at sea.
On Wednesday, the Ostend-born adventurer was forced to postpone his attempt because of a force 6 wind in the Gulf of Corinth and 2 metre high waves.
Matthieu Bonne wants to swim at least 127 km in one go and unassisted. In doing so, he would beat the record set by Maltese Olympic swimmer Neil Agius at 125.7 km.
"This record attempt will be a tough assignment. Roughly estimated, the swimming time will be between 50 and 72 hours and this will put my body to the test," he announced on his personal website. Three officials will accompany Bonne to judge if he breaks the record.
Credit: Matthieu Bonne / Facebook
"The biggest challenge will undoubtedly be the battle with fatigue and sleep deprivation; the exhaustion after successive sleepless nights. Will I be able to stay awake at all? That's the big question."
Conditions are currently better than Wednesday. The water temperature is 27°C. Matthieu Bonne set off enthusiastically. The adventurer is not allowed a wet suit, any contact with the safety boat or any other person, no breaks, no smart watches, and no propellants.
Credit: Matthieu Bonne / Facebook
"I've got a good feeling about it. See you in a day or two," he said. Bonne has previously swam the length of the English Channel (32 km), as well as the length of the Belgian coast (67 km). The length of this swim will be nearly double his previous attempt.
Bonne has undertaken other endurance feats such as climbing Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, competing in Ironman competitions, and cycling in the Tour de Belgium.
The record attempt can be followed on Bonne's social media and via an official online tracker.
