Swiming for the Kids | BakeryLane.com

Swimming for the kids In June 2009, Boris Fernandez attempted to be the first Cuban to swim the English Channel, a feat more difficult than climbing Mt. Everest. Less than ten percent of those who start the 21mile swim succeed because of the challenges, which include cold water (13-16 degrees C), localized weather conditions, jellyfish and a stream of ferries, hovercraft and sea cats that clog the narrow channel.

Fernandez’s Swim for the Kids has another goal, which is to raise $150,000 for Manos del Sur, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide children living in extreme poverty in Latin America with the opportunity to grow into healthy adults, to integrate into society and lead accomplished lives for themselves and their families. Specifically, the money raised will go to the two poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti and Nicaragua, for programs that directly benefit children.

Fernandez, 35, has been a competitive swimmer since he was 10 years old. In 1990 he placed second in backstroke in the Cuban Nationals. In 2002 he won his first triathlon in the United States, going on to place 4^th in the USAT national championships in 2004. He also qualified for the national USAT in 2004 and 2005. Overall he’s won more than 20 races.

For more information about the swim challenge, you can visit Boris' website www.tri-boris.com and follow his training blog.

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