The Sea Hawks have completed a 1000km relay swim from the Gateway of India in Mumbai to Mangalore, dedicated to the people who lost their lives in the Mumbai terror attacks eight years ago.

The Tribute Swim started at 6.20pm on 26 November. Led by Wing Commander Paramvir Singh, the team of six swimmers* rotated through one hour swim slots, covering a total distance of 1,031.38 km in 285 hours and 56 minutes, arriving at Tannirbhavi beach Mangalore on 8 December at 3.56pm. In doing so, the team set new world records for the Longest Distance Open Water Swim by a Team of Six (previously held by Night Train Swimmers of the USA with 500.50 kms/311 miles, who broke the record held by The Sea Hawks themselves swimming 433.11 kms from Goa to Mumbai in 2015) and the Longest Distance Open Water Swim by a Team of Unlimited Persons.

A representative from the Swimming Federation of India observed the swim.

A formidable undertaking, the swimmers contended with the full variety of delights and challenges that the ocean can offer: severe jelly fish stings, exhaustion, rough seas, shipping containers, illegal fishing nets with the potential to entangle marine life (including swimmers), pollution and ocean inhabitants ranging from dolphins to snakes.

While sections of the swim were familiar to the swimmers, the latter stages took them all into unknown territory – a truly epic adventure and the team are already planning more and on the look out for new members to join the team.

Congratulations Sea Hawks and we look forward to hearing about what’s next!

* The team was made up of six swimmers representing the Indian Armed Forces, Mumbai Police, civil society and youth: Wing Commander Paramvir Singh (IAF), Sgt. (Retd IAF) G. Narahari, Rahul Chiplunkar, Shrikant Palande (Mumbai Police), LAC Vicky Tokas (IAF) and Manav Mehta.