Former University of Florida swimmer Harrison Haines is now the holder of a prestigious record.
On July 29, Haines set a record for the fastest backstroke swim across the English Channel, completing the endeavor in 10 hours, 41 minutes. The time broke the previous record of 12 hours, 52 minutes set in August 2020 by Nik Haynes.
Haines started in England and finished his swim just south of Audinghen, France, according to The Daily News Of Open Water Swimming.
Born in Adelaide, Australia, Haines moved to the United States and the Boston area when he was 8 years old. He swam for the Bernal’s Gators Swim Club and eventually had a collegiate career at Florida, where he was a backstroke specialist.
Haines told The Daily News Of Open Water Swimming that he didn’t plan out his breakfast properly and ended up “throwing up everything I had in my stomach at hour (2.5),” but he forged on.
He was escorted by Reg and Ray Brickell, with training partner Tim Denyer on the boat.
“I hit France, took in the wave of pride that washed over me and then almost asked Tim if he wanted to race back to the boat,” Haines said to The Daily News of Open Water Swimming. “Getting back on the boat and (having) my wife, my parents and friend with me was amazing too. Was the perfect support network to come back and celebrate with.”
Haines said the conditions were good, with only a light swell in the water and few choppy parts.
Haines swam in an effort to raise awareness for humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
After watching former college teammates perform well at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Haines said he set a long-term goal of making the U.S. Olympic Trials in the backstroke for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
“Their performances gave me a real itch to get back into competing,” he said.
Hell yeah Haines!
So did they put in a lane line for this 🙂
I was out in England that week. It’s a shame I didn’t meet him.
But man that’s a fast backstroke channel crossing time.
Are they’re records for breaststroke and butterfly?
Yes! See link below.
https://www.channelswimmingassociation.com/records
I could not imagine staring at the sky for nearly 11 hours and expecting myself to follow the route I had originally planned for myself. Hell, I can’t even swim an outdoor 50 back LCM without making acquaintance with a lane line LOL
im sure they hung something overhead so he just had to stay under that.
still somehow worse to not know what was under you.
at least in 10 hrs, you dont have to night swim….
If I tried that I’d probably end up in Guam