Turkish swimmer Tuna Tunca prepares for North Channel crossing with Belfast cold‑water camp

Autistic ultra‑marathon swimmer Tuna Tunca, a 28‑year‑old from İzmir, was given a send‑off ceremony on 30 June at a business venue in Konak. His mother Gülnur Tunca, coach Mert Onaran and representatives of AXA Turkey attended. Tunca said the ocean “motivates me and I aim to return with a record.”

He will travel to Belfast on 7 July for a two‑week cold‑water adaptation camp ahead of his attempt to swim the North Channel between Northern Ireland and Scotland from 21‑27 July. The water is expected to be 11‑13 °C. This is the next leg of his Ocean’s Seven challenge, after successfully crossing the Strait of Dover and the Strait of Gibraltar. He plans intensive training to cope with the frigid temperatures and strong currents.

The preparation is part of his broader goal to complete all seven of the world’s toughest open‑water swims.