On Friday, Moroccan endurance swimmer Hassan Baraka added another impressive feat to his growing list of achievements by swimming a full circuit around Manhattan Island. In completing the grueling 48.5-kilometer course in just under ten hours—clocking in at 9 hours and 53 minutes—Baraka became the first athlete from Morocco to finish this iconic challenge through the waters of New York City.
He began his journey late in the morning from the southern tip of Manhattan, swimming counterclockwise around the island. His route took him through the Hudson River, the Harlem River, and the East River, passing beneath 20 bridges, including the Brooklyn Bridge. The swim, known as the “20 Bridges Swim,” is regarded as one of the most elite open water events in the world. Only a limited number of swimmers are accepted each year through a competitive application process, and the race is officially recognized by the World Open Water Swimming Association.
At the finish, Baraka spoke with pride about the opportunity to represent Morocco in such a symbolic setting. For him, swimming past landmarks like the United Nations headquarters carried deep meaning, both personally and nationally. He emphasized the significance of showcasing Moroccan athleticism on a global stage, especially in a city like New York, where the eyes of the world are always watching.
Baraka credited his mental preparation as a key factor in his success. According to him, physical endurance alone isn’t enough to conquer such a test—the swirling currents and sheer length of the swim demand total mental resilience. Fortunately, he’s no stranger to extreme challenges. Just a year earlier, in July 2024, he became the first Moroccan to swim across the English Channel, covering its 55-kilometer expanse.
His track record speaks volumes. He holds a Guinness World Record for the fastest crossing of the Red Sea between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Back in 2014, he swam across all five continents in a single, unprecedented effort. In 2019, he represented Morocco at the World Ice Swimming Championships, and in 2022, he became the first Moroccan to swim 500 meters at the North Pole without a wetsuit—an accomplishment that defies logic in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
After dedicating three years to long-distance swimming, Baraka now plans to return to his roots in ice swimming. He has his sights set on the first-ever African Ice Swimming Championship, scheduled for February 2026, where he hopes once again to make history in the freezing depths.
