Swimmer completes first non-stop 160km Baltic Sea crossing in 56 hours

Polish swimmer Bartłomiej Kubkowski has achieved a historic feat by completing the first non-stop swim across the Baltic Sea, traveling from Sweden to Poland.

Kubkowski, 29, departed from Kåseberga, southern Sweden, on July 31 and arrived on the coast of Dziwnów, northwestern Poland, on August 2. The arduous journey spanned approximately 160 kilometers and took about 56 hours of continuous swimming without any sleep. The rules of his challenge strictly forbade him from resting on or touching any support boats during the swim.

Upon completing the grueling swim, Kubkowski expressed exhaustion, stating, "I'm too tired to know yet." This was his fifth attempt at crossing the Baltic Sea. In a previous attempt in 2025, he lost consciousness just 11 kilometers from the Polish coast, forcing him to abandon the challenge.

Beyond the athletic achievement, Kubkowski's swim served a significant charitable purpose. Since 2021, he has been swimming across the Baltic Sea to raise funds for children with cancer. This latest endeavor successfully raised approximately 600,000 Polish złoty, which is equivalent to about $150,000 USD, according to Polish Television (TVP).

The successful crossing marks a significant milestone in long-distance swimming and highlights Kubkowski's perseverance and dedication to both athletic excellence and supporting a vital cause.