Miami’s Merle Liivand broke her previous record by swimming 42.2 km with a monofin
New York, NY: Eco Mermaid Merle Liivand made waves swimming 42.2 km off the choppy waters of Miami Beach, Florida, USA, in just 11 hours and 54 minutes, breaking her record for the farthest swim with a monofin.
Proudly celebrating National Ocean Month this month, the four-time GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® title holder is more than just a competitive swimmer, she’s a marine conservationist and aquapreneur with a mission to save the sea.
From Tallinn, Estonia, Merle began as an ice swimmer and former Baltic champion who relocated to Florida 11 years ago. She spends her time training others to swim and raising awareness about the damaging effects of pollution on our oceans.
Merle regularly swims wearing a silicone mermaid fin, without using her arms to increase endurance and generate publicity for the oceans. “Swimming with the monofin without using my arms is similar to how dolphins and marine [life] swim. They have a fin and can’t use any arms,” said Merle.
Originally, it was her health that inspired Merle to begin this journey. “I was born with auto-immune health problems, and I started swimming because my lungs collapsed. Today I’m fighting for Mother Earth’s lungs,” Shares Merle
During her swim, Merle collected any garbage she came across, tossing it into the kayak rowing alongside her.
Merle is optimistic that her latest record will serve as a lesson for the world and hopes that people will focus on reducing the production and consumption of plastics.
To read more about Merle and her record-breaking swim, click HERE
About Guinness World Records
What is the fastest game bird in Europe? This was the question that inspired the founding of Guinness World Records back in 1955. Starting with a single book published from a room above a gym, GWR has grown to become a global multi-media brand, with offices in London, New York, Miami, Beijing, Tokyo, and Dubai. Today, we deliver world-class content, not just through Books, but via TV shows, Social Media, and Live Events. Our in-house consultancy works closely with brands and businesses around the world to harness the power of record-breaking and deliver award-winning campaigns and business solutions. Our ultimate purpose is to inspire people – individuals, families, schools, groups, companies, communities, and even entire countries – to read about, watch, listen to and participate in record-breaking. To join this record-breaking community – and find out the answer to that original question – visit guinnessworldrecords.com.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media