Strait of Magellan & Beagle Channel Take on some of the most challenging cold water out there.
It's the achievement of a lifetime! Whether you attempt the Strait or Channel,
WWS will get you ready and get you there. Join the exclusive list of renowned swimmers to brave
the nearly freezing open water. You may even be joined by the water's natives!
Strait of Magellan and Beagle Channel Swims

It is the achievement of a lifetime to successfully cross the Strait of Magellan or the Beagle Channel at the southern tip of Chile - join the elite few who have swum these cold stretches of water riddled with massive currents by letting Water World Swim take you there. Coach Pedro Ordenes, WWS Founder and Coach, has done both and will guide you success as he has done for others. Our most recent success was Hunter Wright, who at the age of 17 crossed the Strait of Magellan in January 2014. Before Wright, Randy Perkins crossed in January 2013, and Rafal Ziobro in 2011.

During your trip to swim either challenge, you will be in the famed Patagonia wilderness as well as one of its largest cities, Punta Arenas. This is some of the most beautiful expanse in the world, including the beautiful Torres del Paine and Tierra del Fuego. The dramatic landscape sets the scene for your incredible swim journey.

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Think you're up for it? Here are some facts and words from past swimmers.

San Francisco Bay can be as low as 49.8 degrees Fahrenheit during our “Swim with Pedro” workouts.  That’s still 8-13 degrees more that the Straits of Magellan are in the swim window.

Currents in the San Francisco bay average 2 knots - in the Straits, they can range from 11-17 knots.

The most challenging thing for me has been to gain some weight for protection against the cold. I’ve been training about 5 days of swimming of week, plus running and biking to increase my endurance. I’ve increased my intake of healthy kinds of fat and number of calories, but it’s not as easy as you’d think to put on the right amount of weight you need for insulation and protection from the elements.
Randy Perkins - 2013 Magellan crosser

Magellan crossers trained in Puget Sound, winter lakes in northern California, and arrived before the crossing date to practice in the Strait's cold water.

10 of the 21 crossers have done it without a wetsuit. The youngest of all crossers was a skin - Hunter Wright, 17.

The last two weeks of February 2015 and the first two weeks of March 2015 are the windows of opportunity for these swims.
Join the Wall of Fame at Jekus Restaurant!

Swimmers who successfully cross the Strait or Channel are treated to free dinner and a beer at the charming Jekus Restaurant in Punta Arenas and sign their name on the Wall of Fame at a celebration of their success! Travelers on their way to Antarctica have even made time to see it.

Want to see the wall? Visit this delightful pub and restaurant at O'Higgins N° 1021 Punta Arenas, Patagonia, Chile.

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rafalziobro

RAFAL ZIOBRO, 31
Poland | 2011
1hr 19min | 40.5 degrees F
Currents 12-14 knots

randyperkins

RANDY PERKINS, 46
USA | 2013
1hr 43min | 36.5-41 degrees F
Currents 11-17 knots

hunterwright

HUNTER WRIGHT, 17
USA | 2014
1hr 52min | 42.1 degrees F
Currents 14+ knots

Fees and Terms & Conditions

Fees:  US$ 6,000.00 per solo swimmer (US$ 9,000 per 2 swimmers) (For more than 2 swimmers, fee arrangements must be made) For Crossing the Beagle Channel, add $1,000.00 per swimmer. WWS Member: (1 full year member) coached and trained by WWS $ 5,000.00 ( for Beagle Channel add $1,000.00 ) Deposit: US$ 2,000.00 (non-refundable) (Deposit must be paid at time of submitting application.) Final Payment : US$ 4, 000.00 (USD$7,000.00 reserving 2 swimmers) At permit approval date, and hotel reservations made, the total fee must be fully paid 30 days prior to approved window dates of swim. Fees include:

  • Processing all permits with Chilean Navy and local authorities
  • Coaching escorting from day of swimmer's arrival to Punta Arenas until swim crossing completion.
  • Transportation from Punta Arenas airport to Bed and Breakfast in center of the city.
  • Punta Arenas 5 nights max. at Hotel (included) in the center of City (Punta Arenas)
  • Land or Sea Transportation to Punta Delgada (Navy Station, start of the trip across the Straits to Tierra del Fuego Island to the start of the Swim)
  • Chilean Navy support during the whole Crossing.
  • Coach(es) briefing and supervision to swimmer or swimmers during the entire crossing
  • Medical and emergency rescue team stand-by on board and on land.
  • Chilean Navy Certificate of completion
  • Water World Swim, certificate of completion and introduction to the Open Water Hall of Fame in Chile and San Francisco.
  • Chile National and local Press public relations coordination
  • Transportation from Bed and Breakfast in Punta Arenas to airport in Chile and Tierra del Fuego.
  • 1 Year Water World Swim free membership (USA, ITALY, UK)

Entry fees shall be non-refundable once the event has been approved by WWS and the local authorities.

Ready to take the plunge?

Water World Swim secures all necessary permits and contact with the Chilean Navy to let you focus on swimming. We also provide on site medical and emergency support, certificate of completion, four nights at the beautiful Hotel Rey Don Felipe, and much more. Coach Pedro himself will be in touch with you to make sure you are ready and as prepared as possible for your epic undertaking.

If you're interested to learn more about the crossing, use the sign up form below and we'll get started on getting your feet wet. If you're ready to fill an application, click on the Apply Online button.

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