Quadruple Amputee (No Arms, No Legs) Swims Across English Channel In Record Time!

Philippe Croizon, a 42-year old French resident made history on September 19th, when he became the first quadruple amputee, to swim across the 21-mile long English Channel. What's even more impressive, is that he completed the swim in thirteen and a half hours - almost a full ten hours faster than had been expected.

Using special prosthetic fins to help him propel and a snorkel mask to assist with breathing, the 42-year old swam at an impressive pace of 2mph, only slightly slower than most able-bodied swimmers. Three playful dolphins joined the determined swimmer for part of the way, as if to encourage him in his quest.

A former metalworker, Mr. Croizon had to have both his arms and legs amputated in 1994, when he was just 26, after he was struck by a 20,000 volt power line, whilst trying to dismantle a television antenna off his roof.

While recovering in hospital, he watched a documentary about swimming across the English Channel and has been dreaming of doing it since. To get ready for this feat, he trained for about 30 hours each week, in the frigid bay of La Rochelle in France.

This is not the first time that Philippe has defied all odds - In 2008, he became the first limbless man to parachute from an airplane. And, he's not done yet. His next mission is to swim from Europe to Africa, via the Strait of Gibraltar - While the nine mile distance is much shorter than the English Channel, the area is known for its strong water currents, which make the trek much more challenging. It's just amazing what we can do if we put our minds to it, isn't it?

sources: nydailynews.com, guardian.co.uk, dailymail.co.uk