Noam Yaron, a 28-year-old Swiss athlete, embarked on an ambitious 180 km swim across the Mediterranean Sea from Calvi, Corsica, to Monaco in August 2024. The challenge aimed to break the world record for the longest swim in a wetsuit without exiting the water and to raise awareness about marine conservation.
Yaron intended to traverse part of the Pelagos Sanctuary, a marine protected area governed by Monaco, France, and Italy. He hoped to highlight the urgent need to protect this zone from pollution and other environmental threats. The Pelagos Sanctuary spans 87,500 sq. km and is home to diverse marine life.
Despite rigorous training, Yaron had to abandon the swim after covering almost 100 km in 48 hours due to strong currents and unfavorable conditions. He plans to attempt the feat again in June 2025. Yaron's efforts have raised awareness among millions about the importance of protecting the Mediterranean Sea.