The first recorded marathon swimmer crossed the English Channel in 1875
Captain Matthew Webb became the first person to swim the English Channel in 1875, braving treacherous tides and jellyfish stings for nearly twenty-two hours without the aid of modern equipment.
Captain Matthew Webb achieved the impossible in August 1875 when he swam from Dover, England, to Calais, France. Eschewing modern swimsuits, he coated his body in porpoise oil to insulate against the freezing water and utilized a slow breaststroke to conserve energy. This grueling journey covered approximately 39 miles due to strong zig-zagging currents.
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