Quang Duong on the right at Con Vanh sea

A UNIS Hanoi lifeguard, Quang Duong, has set a new swimming record in Vietnam for 200km Open Water! On November 6, Mr Quang, along with friends, swam from the Red River towards Con Vanh sea in Thai Binh province after being inspired by celebrity open water World Champion, Maarten van der Weijden. 

The swim proved to be a challenge, with many other swimmers unable to complete the full distance. Retelling the experience, Mr Quang said, “The trip went very well on the first and the third day. However on the second day, the swim proved difficult. We were swimming against the currents, the tides were strong and the wind blew hard to our faces. We nearly gave up in the afternoon. We should have checked the weather forecast beforehand.” But they didn’t surrender. With encouragement from his friends, in particular a friend named Khanh, Mr Quang persevered. 

On November 8, after 40 hours of swimming, Mr Quang reached Con Vanh sea. 

With a big smile, Mr Quang said, “I made it. We made it. And I can be proud that I have done something important.” 

As a professional swimmer, an active member of a swimming group in Hanoi, Mr Quang hopes to help develop swimming activities in the city and more importantly raise awareness regarding the importance of swimming and drowning prevention.