Aysu Türkoğlu, who started swimming at a young age, first stepped onto the podium in 2015. In the 7 years that have passed, Aysu has participated in over 60 competitions, and her goal is very big: the English Channel swim...
Born in Bodrum in 2001, Aysu started swimming alongside her sister, who trains rigorously. She chose one of the clubs in Bodrum. Overcoming the adversities she faced with the support of her family, the athlete set two goals for herself. The first is to study at the Faculty of Sports Sciences at Ege University and to practice the sport she loves, and the other is to become the youngest Turkish swimmer to complete the English Channel swim.
After working hard with determination, she reached her first goal and is now in Izmir...
However, while she was focusing on completing the English Channel swim in July 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic conditions became an insurmountable obstacle for her, just like everyone else, for a full two years. Now preparations are underway for July 2022.
"As an athlete, I want to be the youngest Turkish female athlete to cross the English Channel, one of the toughest channels in the world, and to write my name and my country's name in the world." she says. As she mentioned, this open water swim is quite challenging... Rapidly changing weather conditions, suddenly growing waves while calm, and a distance of 35 to 40 thousand meters to be covered.
"In 2022, I hope to achieve this goal."
The English Channel swim was first completed on August 24, 1875, by Captain Matthew Webb. This swim takes place in the channel where the North Sea flows between England and France. The distance is approximately 36 kilometers in a straight line. Depending on the conditions, this distance can reach up to 42 km. The water temperature is around 13-17 degrees. During this challenge, there is an observation boat that accompanies you throughout the crossing, and food support can also be received from the boat during the crossing. The English Channel is one of the 7 ocean crossings chosen by WOWSA (World Open Water Swimming Association). WOWSA, based in America, is an international organization that supports, organizes, promotes, recognizes, and rewards open water swimmers and open water swimming events.
There are also some strict rules for this challenging crossing. According to the rules set by the Channel Swimming Association, touching the boat and using thermal protection, as well as wearing swimsuits that facilitate swimming, are strictly prohibited. In 2022, Aysu will join this 'struggle of man against nature' that Matthew Webb started 150 years ago. Among the nearly 3000 swimmers who have completed it so far, there are also Turks. 15 individuals and 6 teams.
Aysu Türkoğlu, a small swimmer from the southwest of our country, who has participated in dozens of competitions to realize her dream and has trained for tens of thousands of kilometers, living a highly disciplined life, continues to be an inspiration for all of us, especially for little swimmers.
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