DURING FEB 1 - APR 08, 2007 MARTIN STREL SWAM 5,268 KMS (3274 MILES) OF THE AMAZON RIVER! HE DEDICATED THE SWIM TO THE PROTECTION OF THE RAINFOREST. |
Fri, March 23 2007
Rough Water and an Exhausted Swimmer
Rough water limited Martin to just 38 km today. The support boat was being tossed around like a toy, dangerously taking on a lot of water, while Martin was getting pummeled relentlessly by huge waves when he finally said, “Enough is enough, tomorrow is another day.”
The aches and pains are starting to add up after 51 days of swimming, and Martin decided to use the afternoon to rest his weary body. The timing was perfect as Martin is still ahead of schedule, and plans to attend a large reception in Santarem tomorrow after another partial day of swimming, giving him more of an opportunity to reenergize.
Near sunset, a few team members took a side trip to visit Rio Tapajos, one of the clearest tributaries of the Amazon. We’re hoping the rest will allow Martin to recuperate a little for the last three weeks of swimming, which will be by far the most difficult.
>>Matthew Mohlke