Autistic Swimmer Tuna Tunca Conquers North Channel in Ultra-Marathon Feat

Tuna Tunca, an ultra-marathon swimmer diagnosed with autism, has achieved a remarkable feat by conquering the North Channel, one of the most formidable open-water swims globally. He completed the challenging approximately 40-kilometer course in about 16 hours, adding another significant milestone to his Ocean's Seven endeavor.

Tunca began his swim from Donaghadee, Northern Ireland, braving the frigid waters, which were around 14 degrees Celsius. Despite facing strong tides, cold weather, and a significant presence of jellyfish, he persevered. His coach, Mert Onaran, his support team, and his mother, Gül Nur Tunca, were present, offering encouragement throughout the arduous journey. A particularly difficult stretch involved battling a strong current for the final three hours of the swim.

Upon reaching Port Patrick, Scotland, Tunca successfully concluded this leg of his challenge. This accomplishment follows his earlier successes in swimming the English Channel and the Strait of Gibraltar, the first two parts of the Ocean's Seven. Tunca is scheduled to attempt the fourth leg, the Catalina Channel in the United States, in September. To date, only Bengisu Avcı has successfully completed the entire Ocean's Seven challenge from Turkey.