Dina Levačić completes gruelling swim around Angel Island
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
(Photo: Private album)
Croatian marathon swimmer Dina Levačić has successfully completed the demanding 16-kilometre route around Angel Island in San Francisco Bay.
Levačić began her swim from the mainland at 11:30 p.m. local time, navigating the waters around Angel Island before returning to shore after 6 hours and 36 minutes.
Just two days earlier, she conquered the well-known Alcatraz swim, but the Angel Island challenge was a far greater test of endurance.
The route is longer, requires precise pacing to contend with shifting tides, and adds the difficulty of swimming through the night.
(Photo: Private album)
Conditions were far from easy.
The air temperature hovered around 14°C, while the sea measured between 16 and 18°C.
On top of that, Levačić faced winds of up to 25 km/h and choppy waves, demanding not only stamina but also exceptional focus and technique.
“After swimming Alcatraz, I achieved another goal. The swim was physically and mentally demanding, and although I couldn’t enjoy the beauty of the bay itself because I swam through the night, I felt a connection to the sea.
A 16 km swim doesn’t sound that dramatic on paper, but it is extremely demanding due to the strong wind, waves and currents that are pronounced in the San Francisco Bay.
It wasn’t easy at all, I was nauseous and vomiting most of the way, it was a mental struggle on the way back to Alcatraz and it seemed like I would never make it. But another challenge has been successfully completed, now I can relax and celebrate,” said Dina.
(Photo: Private album)
Despite the challenges, the 27-year-old from Split once again demonstrated her remarkable resilience and skill, cementing her reputation as Croatia’s leading long-distance swimmer.
