Kubkowski Breaks Record Swimming Across Baltic Sea in 55 Hours

Bartłomiej 'Foka' Kubkowski has become the first person to swim across the Baltic Sea, completing the challenge in an impressive 55 hours. This achievement marks his fifth attempt at breaking the record and comes after years of grueling training sessions.

Kubkowski swam a total distance of 160 km without being able to touch the support boat, and had to contend with high waves and low water temperatures as low as 16 degrees Celsius off the Swedish coast. His meals were served on special booms, and he was also helped by a bottle of Coca-Cola thrown into the sea by his support team.

During the final stretch, Kubkowski began to experience hallucinations, but quickly informed his support team for intervention. 'Hallucinations and a bottle of Coca-Cola' were part of the swimmer's last few kilometres. His team members emphasized that this is a natural bodily reaction after such a long, uninterrupted effort.

Kubkowski was taken to a local hospital for a full medical examination immediately after coming ashore. In an interview, he replied that he was 'so tired that he doesn't know yet' when asked what it felt like to swim across the Baltic Sea. The fundraising campaign for the Cancer Fighters Foundation raised nearly 850,000 zlotys (€197,421) for the fight against cancer.