The youngest and first Indian to swim across 10 seas

Sufyan Shaikh who's the first Indian to have swum across ten seas so far talks about overcoming the various challenges he encountered along the way and what the achievement means to him.

Sufyan Shaikh is the first Indian to swim across ten seas.

This includes the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, North Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Gulf Of Mexico, Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea, Indian Ocean and East China Sea.

He is also the youngest recipient of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award.

Awarded by the President of India, the Award is given to exceptional achievers who successfully undertake and complete risky adventures on land, air and sea.

In the following interview, Sufyan talks about the various challenges he's faced in his expeditions and how he prepares himself for the race ahead.

How did you decide to take up open water swimming?

Since I started swimming at the age of three, I was very good at swimming competitively.

I remember vaguely that my parents took me to a beach when I was seven and the view and the atmosphere struck me.

It was the zing and the thrill that I imagined and I asked my coach if it was possible for me to swim in the open water.

Luckily he put me in a competition swim from Chorward to Veraval on the coast of Gujarat which is considered to be the most dangerous water body across India, famous for its sea life and turbulent waves.

Since then I've always been an open water swimmer because of the adventure value.

Which has been the most challenging swim for you till date?

Every swim that I have done so far has been challenging. Every sea has different temperatures and sea life.

If I have to pick one, it has to be the English Challenge; it was emotionally and physically challenging both for me and my parents.

Before swimming the English Channel I had not gone to another country to stay and train for three months.

Whatever swims that I had done were funded by my parents and when I decided to swim the English Channel, my family was nearly bankrupt.

The government was not helpful and sponsors would shy away as swimming does not have a guaranteed return in our country.

Moreover, I had dislocated my knee and had to undergo a major operation a month prior to my scheduled leave. In short, I had everything to lose if I failed and a lot to gain if I succeeded.

Courtesy:YouthIncMag.com

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How do you train for a competition?

My swims are mostly endurance based. I have to swim for hours, maintaining a steady speed, and have some energy reserved in the end for sprinting.

My training lasts for about six to eight hours a day focusing on maintaining speed and constant hand movement. The thing that challenges me the most while practicing is that I am an open water swimmer who practices in pool but competes in ocean.

This is why I prefer to train minimum in the pool and reach my competition or swim destination a month or so in advance so that I can train in the right weather and get maximum results.

Does any particular stroke help you in open waters over others?

Being a swimmer you are supposed to know all the four strokes of swimming. Mostly, open water swimmers prefer freestyle because it’s more direct and you can swim for hours and hours without being too tired. My stroke of choice is freestyle as well.

Do you prefer the competitive swims with other participants or solo swims?

Personally, I like to challenge other swimmers to race. I am a speed driven athlete and knowing that someone is challenging you on the other side just makes a swim much better. The solo swims are good but after a while they do get boring when it’s just you and the sea.

What mental and physical challenges did you face in your accomplishment of being the first Indian to swim across nine/ten seas?

A lot of both. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but my parents gave me the luxury and lifestyle of a prince. I can say swimming the English Channel was a turning point in my life.

I got some recognition from the press which made people aware who I am and what I am here to do, but before that, there were a lot of fights in my family regarding my travels for swimming competition but the dedication of my parents helped me reach where I am today.

The government was never really helpful in any way as most of the time we were told to meet someone who didn’t exist. Also, training was a big issue because of swimming in the pool and competing in the ocean.

When can we expect you to complete your personal challenge of swimming across all 102 channels in the world?

It will take about 30 to 40 years considering the time and the goal. But I do believe it is achievable (if I have a long life). Each sea is different and the training that goes under it is unique to the swim.

You did not qualify for the Olympics in 2012 because of lack of funding and support from the government. Is this pushing you over the edge to leave the sport of swimming?

Nothing can push me to quit swimming. However, looking at my current situation, funding has been a major part for me to think about stopping to swim competitively.

For example, I went to the World Championship in Shanghai 2011 and I wasn’t even provided with a shirt that says I represent India let alone having a team of seven people to take care of me.

Every other swimmer had facilities of a doctor, manager, therapist, coach, and nutritionist while I was the only one wearing a plain white t-shirt and competing.

An estimated cost to compete at World Champs requires about Rs 7 to 8 lakhs. And to qualify for the Olympics I'd have to compete in 14 of these events each year.

Now I ask you a question -- how is it possible?

Timeline of achievements so far

• Youngest person in the world to complete 9 seas in 2007 (aged 17)
• First Indian to complete swimming 10 seas in 2011
• Youngest recipient of India’s Tenzing Norgay Adventure Award in 2010 (aged 20)

Quick strokes with Sufyan Shaikh

Your inspiration...

My mother

Your career after swimming...

Golf looks likely

Achievement you're most proud of...

Receiving the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award from honourable ex-President Ms Pratibha Patil

Your favourite beach

Hvar, Croatia