BENGALURU: Braving icy waters, choppy waves, and physical exhaustion, a group of 14 swimmers—12 of them from Bengaluru—have achieved what many consider the "Mount Everest" of swimming: crossing the English Channel. Among them, four swimmers completed a rare 132km two-way relay, finishing the feat in 33 hours and 3 minutes.

The elite four-member team included Manish Jaswal, Dr Santosh Loganathan, Tejas Sati, and Avinash Thandani (Mumbai)—all above the age of 40. Taking turns from a trailing safety boat, each member swam designated legs of the journey across the Channel and back, tagging one another in an enduring show of discipline and teamwork.

“Swimming is my therapy”: Psychiatrist's Journey to the Channel

Dr Santosh Loganathan, a professor of psychiatry at Nimhans, took up swimming in 2015 during a fellowship in the US. “It felt rejuvenating, like reconnecting with the child in me. Swimming became my therapy,” he shared.

What began as a curiosity about open water swimming gradually evolved into a dedicated training routine. He prepared for the Channel swim over several years, building his endurance while balancing his demanding role at Nimhans. “The institution has been incredibly supportive throughout,” he said.

Overcoming Challenges: Cold, Currents, and Cramping

While the initial leg from England to France was smooth, the return journey posed severe challenges. Cold night waters, strong opposing currents, back spasms, and nausea tested the team’s endurance.

Corporate professional Manish Jaswal, a lifelong swimmer, played a key role in battling through the harsh currents, helping realign the team with the coastline. “There are no words to describe the moment we reached back,” said Dr Loganathan. “We all jumped into the water together for the final 200 metres and walked onto the beach side by side. It was unforgettable.”

SwimLife and the Spirit of Teamwork

The feat was made possible under the guidance of SwimLife, a Bengaluru-based swim coaching and mentoring platform. Its managing director and coach, M Satish Kumar, compared the challenge to summiting Everest, noting, “More than 70% of Channel swim attempts fail. But this team showed what training and unity can achieve.”

Another participant, Rana Ghosh, a 50-year-old marketing professional, displayed immense determination by swimming despite an injury. “I had a deep cut on my wrist, but I taped it up and kept going. I didn’t want to let the team down.”

A Message for All

The swimmers emphasized that such challenges are not just for elite athletes. “This is for anyone with the passion and discipline to chase it,” said Satish Kumar. “We want more people to feel this sense of achievement.”

From professional lives to pushing personal limits, the team’s triumph stands as a testament to resilience, teamwork, and the power of the human spirit—one stroke at a time.