Waschi conquers the North Channel
Mission accomplished
After successfully completing the six other stages, Andreas Waschburger has now also crossed the notorious North Channel. This final chapter between The Gobbins (Northern Ireland) and Portpatrick (Scotland) is considered the hardest stretch in the entire series. And to make things even more special: a record for the North Channel stretch and a new overall world record for the Ocean’s Seven.
The final chapter
On Sunday 24 August, the team headed via Dublin to Belfast, where they would prepare for the crossing on site. From there, they headed to the starting point at The Gobbins. The official time window for the swimming attempt was dependent on weather, currents and approval by the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association. The days beforehand were filled with training sessions in cold water, briefings with the boat captain, and coordinating final details with the local authorities and organisers. Given the weather conditions, it was not yet clear if the swimming attempt would be able to go ahead at all.
Thursday 4 September then marked the start of Waschburger’s final challenge. He was accompanied by his team, medical support and a television crew from Saarländischer Rundfunk. Relief came 8:11:12 hours later: Waschburger had made it, not just breaking the previous world record held by Jordan Leckey (9:9:30 hours), but also chalking up the fastest time for all the stretches combined. The world record now sits at 49:37:40 hours.
Between Northern Ireland and Scotland
The North Channel links the Irish Sea with the North Atlantic and separates Northern Ireland from the Scottish mainland. This classic stretch measures around 34.5 kilometres as the crow flies, but the actual swimming distance can vary significantly depending on currents and the wind. Waschi ultimately had to complete more than 36.5 kilometres to achieve his world record. The route leads through deep, open water – with temperatures that rarely exceed 11-15°C, even in the summer. The crossing is monitored by the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association and is one of the most strictly regulated stretches in open water swimming.
A tricky route
The North Channel is notorious for its low water temperatures, strong tidal currents and high levels of lion’s mane jellyfish – one of the largest and most painful jellyfish species in the world. As well as the physical strain, this stretch also represents a huge mental challenge: the monotony of the stretch, the cold and the long duration require maximum concentration and stamina.
I had huge respect for the North Channel and the cold. The fact that I broke the record is overwhelming.
What Andreas has achieved here is historic. Two world records in one swim – an achievement that is unparalleled worldwide.
Even Steven Munatones, founder of the World Open Water Swimming Association and creator of the Ocean’s Seven, was there in person. His presence highlighted the particular importance of this sporting mission. ‘What Andreas has achieved here is historic. Two world records in one swim – an achievement that is unparalleled’, Munatones added.
An endurance test like no other
In September 2023, Waschi began his ambitious mission of conquering all of the straits in the Ocean’s Seven. He started by crossing the English Channel in world-record time, his first historic achievement. The second world record came from the Kaiwi Channel in Hawaii. With these fantastic successes under his belt, Waschi showed that he meant business. He remained clearly under the previous total across every stretch. His unwavering will and his entire team consistently gave him the momentum he needed to overcome this challenging task.
We are incredibly proud to have been part of this incredible journey and would like to congratulate Waschburger on his phenomenal achievement.
OCEAN’S SEVEN WORLD RECORD
Andreas Waschburger is the 42nd athlete to have completed all seven of the Ocean’s Seven sea crossings. A total time of 49:37:40 hours makes him the first to come in under the 50-hour mark and thus gives him the world record.
1/7
World record in English Channel
Andreas Waschburger did it, swimming across the English Channel from Dover to Cap Gris Nez (near Calais) in a new world record time of 6:45:25 hours.
08 September 2023
2/7
World record in Kaiwi Channel
Andreas Waschburger swam the Moloka’i Channel in Hawaii in a new world-record time of 9:55:10 hours.
06 October 2024
3/7
Cook Strait in New Zealand
By crossing the Cook Strait in New Zealand (5:13:57 hours), Andreas Waschburger completed another chapter in his Ocean’s Seven project.
25 March 2025
4/7
Strait of Gibraltar
Just 11 days after successfully swimming the Cook Strait in New Zealand, Andreas Waschburger reached the African mainland after 2:51:21 hours to become the fastest ever German swimmer for this stretch.
05 April 2025
5/7
Tsugaru Strait
Andreas Waschburger is unstoppable! He crossed the Japanese strait in 8:43:21 hours, keeping him successfully on track. However, he had to swim significantly more kilometres than originally planned.
09 July 2025
6/7
Catalina Channel
What a success: Andreas Waschburger crossed the Catalina Channel in California in 7:58 hours. This stretch was anything but easy: complete darkness, freezing cold water and an unexpected visitor.
04 August 2025
7/7
World record in North Channel
Waschburger swam across the North Channel in a new best time: 8:11:12 hours.
04 September 2025