Nejib Belhedi

From Openwaterpedia
Nejib Belhedi who started clean shaven in Sfax swam 76 hours 30 minutes along the coast of Tunisia in a 120 km sea swim on 15-18 September 2018
Nejib Belhedi was selected as the 2020 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year in the annual WOWSA Awards
Nejib Belhedi, the first honoree in the Hasdrubal Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Tunisia located in the Hasdrubal Prestige Thalassa & Spa Djerba on Djerba Island in Tunisia.
Nejib Belhedi's progression in his Iron Swim challenges over the years
Above the Ramparts is an autobiography of Nejib Belhedi written in Arabic, French, and Russian
Nejib Belhedi plans a 133.63 km from Capd Ponente, Lampedusa, Italy to Cape Africa Mahdia, Tunisia in September 2019, estimated to take over 80 hours
Nejib Belhedi plans a 133.63 km from Capd Ponente, Lampedusa, Italy to Cape Africa Mahdia, Tunisia in September 2019, estimated to take over 80 hours
Nejib Belhedi completed a 120 km solo swim from Sfax to Djerba Island in Tunisia on 15-18 September 2018, finishing in 76 hours 30 minutes
Nejib Belhedi's 76 hour 30 minute swim in Tunisia was nominated for the 2018 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year by the World Open Water Swimming Association
Nejib Belhedi was nominated for the 2016 WOWSA Awards, a recognition of outstanding men, women, performances and offerings around the globe sponsored by the World Open Water Swimming Association and selected as the 2016 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year
Nejib Belhedi's 120 km solo swim in Tunisia scheduled for 15 September 2018
Nejib Belhedi's 120 km solo swim in Tunisia scheduled for 15 September 2018
Nejib Belhedi pulling a 1014-ton boat during his 425m 35-minute boat pulling event in Sfax Port in Tunisia on 22 May 2017
Governor Fethi Bdira, the Governor of Sousse together with Nejib Belhedi and Habib Ammar, the President Directeur General of La Société d'Etude et de Développement Sousse - Nord, after the World Iron Swim Series in Tunisia where Belhedi pulled a 40-ton trailing boat in Port El Kantaoui
Nejib Belhedi pulling a 70-ton ship for 350m in Tunisia as part of the World Iron Swim Challenge
Nejib Belhedi's Camel Swim is nominated for the 2015 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year for recognition of his extraordinarily unique swim with Chamakh
Nejib Belhedi pulling a trailing boat during his 200m 11-minute boat pulling event in the Port El Kantaoui in Tunisia on 17 November 2015
Nejib Belhedi pulling camel Chamakh 4 km in the sea of Mahdia in Tunisia in his Camel Swim
Course of the World Iron Swim by Nejib Belhedi of Tunisia in the Gulf of Skanes, Monastir Sea on 24 May 2015
Nejib Belhedi of Tunisia to swim from Kerkennah to Sfax in 2015 after his first crossing in 1991
Nejib Belhedi on Mount Everest where he will test 061-6K
Nejib Belhedi on Mount Everest where he will test 061-6K and Extreme Educational Respiratory Training
Nejib Belhedi at end of the 1400K Swim Across Tunisia
Nejib Belhedi Sticker for the 2011 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year
Nejib Belhedi
Nejib Belhedi
Nejib Belhedi
Swim Across Tunisia Course - aerial view
Blue Bleu of Sfax course by Nejib Belhedi
Planning document to conduct an open water swim up at 6,000m altitude on Mount Everest by Nejib Belhedi on 17 August 2014

Nejib Ben Messaoud Belhedi (born in Sfax, Tunisia on 26 July 1952) is a 69-year-old marathon swimmer and a former Lt. Colonel in the Tunisian Army.

2020 WOWSA Awards

Nejib Belhedi was voted as the 2020 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year with the following nomination: Nejib Belhedi, a former special operations officer and Lieutenant Colonel, has a long and varied career in the open water. He has been successful as a channel swimmer, cold water swimmer, stage swimmer, boat pull swimmer, extreme swimmer, and a marathon swimmer. While promoting and organizing Ouma events for children and teenagers throughout his native Tunisia, Belhedi has continued to create well-promoted televised marathon swimming events that inspire people from all walks of life and ages to take up their own personal, healthful challenges. For his 47 hour 50 minute record-setting 155 km circumnavigation swim around Djerba Island in Tunisia that was organized by Ajim from the Governorate of Mednine, for generating a tremendous amount of creative publicity and positive inspiration through national television programming, and for accomplishing these feats at the age of 69 years in his post heart surgery life, Nejib Belhedi of Tunisia is a worthy nominee of the 2020 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year.

Honors and Open Water Swimming Career Highlights

  • He founded Ouma For Kids in Tunisia.
  • On 25 June 1991, Nejib Belhedi completed the first 20 km crossing in Tunisia from Kerkennah (Sidi Youssef Port) to Sfax City at the entrance of Sfax Port) in 7 hours 24 minutes.
  • On 30 November 1991, he completed a 16 km open water swim from Hammam Lif Beach to Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia in 5 hours 21 minutes.
  • On 30 May 1992, he completed a 35 km open water swim from Cap bon - La Marsa in 11 hours 14 minutes.
  • On 6-7 July 1993, he completed 24 hours of non-stop swimming in a swimming pool in Tataouine, completing a total distance of 51.577 km.
  • On 15-16 September 1993, he completed a 33.5 km crossing of the English Channel from England to France in 16 hours 35 minutes, a swim on the highest tide under Force 4 conditions.
  • He is the namesake of the Belhedi Trophy awarded by the Channel Swimming Association.
  • He is a Channel Swimming Association representative.
  • On 17 June 1995, he attempted a 72 km crossing of the Sicilian Channel from Pantelleria to Kelibia. The swim was stopped after 17 hours due to numerous jellyfish stings.
  • On 31 July 1999, he swam 40 km across the La Galite Channel in Tunisia from La Galite Island to Cap Serrat in 7 hours 15 minutes.
  • He is the promoter for the Dialog Across The Seas, crossing of 7 islands Tour of Tunisia (Formula 777).
  • During 2009-2010, he has supervised as head coach and adviser the National Libyan English Channel relay team who swam the fastest time of the 2010 season of English Channel crossings.
  • He is promoter of many editions of Oumas for kids in Tabarka, Monastir, Djerba, Mahdia with the participation of many swimmers coming outside Tunisia between 2011 and 2013.
  • He completed the 1400K Swim Across Tunisia in 2011 and 2012. Included three marathon swims 15 km from Zembretta Island to Houaria against the current in 6 hours 21 minutes and 15 km across the Ashtart petroleum field in the Gulf of Gabes in 4 hours 55 minutes in favourable current, and 15 km from Land Mark Zero in the Tunisian-Algerian border to Tabarka in 7 hours 30 minutes in unfavourable currents.
  • He won the 2011 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year award.
  • On 22 September 2012, he was honored by the World Open Water Swimming Association for the 2011 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year for his 1400K Swim Across Tunisia honored on the RMS Queen Mary in California.
  • Nejib Belhedi was the first pioneer of swimming of the icy and coldest dam lakes in Tunisia, observed by local representatives in relationship with his Bering Strait goal which was subsequently accomplished:
    • On 20 February 2013, he completed a 3 km icy swim in Jedliane Kasserine Dam lake in 3°C (37.4°F) water in 1 hour.
    • On 23 March 2013, he completed 13 km cold swim in the Sidi Salem Dam lake in 7°C (44.6°F) water in 3 hours 25 minutes.
    • On 6 March 2013, he completed 6 km icy swim in Oued Mallegue Dam lake in 5°C (41°F) water in 2 hours.
    • On 20 April 2013, he completed 15 km cold water swim in Sidi Barrak Dam lake in 10°C (50°F) water in 4 hours.
    • On August 17, 2013, he swam between the ;;Diomede Islands]] in a time of 39 minutes, covering 4 km in 2°C water.
  • In 2017, he conceived the International Winter Icy Swim Dams tours in Tunisia and accomplished the tour in the region of Kef and Jandouba in Tunisia. 2 of the significant swims under icy water temperatures:
    • On 26 December 2017, he completed a 3 km icy swim in Oued Mallegue Dam lake in 2.5C°(36.5°F) water in 57 minutes.
    • On 20 January 2018, he completed 3 km icy wim in Zouitina Barbara Dam lake in 1°C (33.8°F) water in 1 hour 20 minutes.
  • The World Iron Swim is a new niche of open water swimming promoted by Belhedi. A branded series of solo swims in pulling boats with children, camels, and people of increasingly greater weights between 2015 and 2017.
    • On 14 February 2015, he swam 4 km along the Kerkennah Islands shore in water between 8°C and 11°C, pulling a boat weighing 180 kg in 3 hours 27 minutes with observer Simon Griffiths.
    • On 24 April 2015, he swam 11 km along the Kekennah Islands shore, pulling a boat 180 kg in 6 hours 31 minutes with observers Rory Fitzgerald and Kate Steels.
    • On 24 May 2015, he boat pulled 180 kg over 15.265 km in Monastir-Skanes, Tunisia.
    • He completed a solo crossing in Golfe de Skanes in the Monastir Sea in 6 hours 40 minutes from the One Resort Hotel beach to Dkhlia beach while being escorted by pilot Mahdi Aghir and pulling two children in a boat. The observer was Mohamed Rekik.
    • On 31 July 2015, he boat pulled 180 kg over 21 km in the Gulf of Gabes in Tunisia
    • On 14 June 2015, he accomplished a 10 km Hard Iron Swim Raid from Hammamet City Beach to Yasmine Hammamet in 7 hours 47 minutes in Force 4-5 conditions with unfavorable big waves and swells.
    • On 10 September 2015, he boat pulled 180 kg over 21 km, observed by local representatives, in 5 hours 20 minutes with favorable wind on Eastern Djerba Island shore in Tunisia. He was guided and supplied by the boat named Mabrouk belongs Nautical Base 2 (Djerba) piloted by Mohamed Kharraz. Local observers on board included Mokhtar Nacer Commissary of Sport, Riadh ben Aissa, Khmais Kchin, and Houcine Amira.
    • On 7 October 2015, he boat pulled a 1.5-ton boat with people over 4 km in the Mahdia Port in Tunisia.
    • On 23 October 2015, he boat pulled a 2-ton boat with people over 4 km in the Mahdia Port in Tunisia and observed by local representatives.
    • On 7 November 2015, he boat pulled a 21-ton ship Hannibal over 168 meters a total of 3 minutes 55 seconds in Marina Tabarka in Tunisia with observer Hatem Askri.
    • On 19 November 2015, he boat pulled a 22-ton ship named Mahdi over 200 meters with Captain Chaker Laarif and boat owner Rchid Handous in Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia with observers Mouldi Dhifallah, Heithem Ben Yahia, Brahim Mselelm, and Kabil Werzli (Bailiff).
    • On 23 December 2015, he boat pulled a 70-ton ship with people over 350 meters in 39 minutes Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia with observers Hichem Ben Yahia, Nabil Jomaa and Brahim Mselelm.
    • On 26 March 2016, he boat pulled a 23-ton ship named Albatros with people over 500 meters in Marina Tabarka in Tunisia with observer Hatem.
    • On 27 May 2016, he completed a solo pull of a convoy of 2 boats totaling 70 tons across 550 meters in 20 minutes in the Bizerta Channel. The convoy is composed by the 35 tons Mohamed Habib with pilot Rachid Jbalia and the 25 Ton Noura with pilot Atef Neffati with observer Ali Trabelsi.
    • On 23 October 2016, he completed a solo pull of 3 ships totaling 100 tons across 550 meters in 32 minutes 30 minutes in Bizerta Channel in Tunisia. The float is composed by 40-ton Mohamed Habib with pilot Rachid Jbalia, the 25-ton Noura with pilot Atef Neffati, and the 35-ton Bibane with pilot Nabil Jannadi with observers Rory Fitzgerald and Kate Steels.
    • On 22 May 2017, he boat pulled a 1014-ton ship over 425 meters named Hached with 25 people on board in the Sfax Port in Tunisia. The swim was ratified by SONOTRAK Board and independently verified by an observation camera held by Mahdi Hadhri.
  • He was selected as the 2016 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year for his Iron Swim challenges in towing boats by objectives reaching a progressively higher weight peak of 1014 tons.
  • He hosted the 2017 Global Open Water Swimming Conference and WOWSA Awards in the Bizerta Resort in Tunisia on 12-15 September 2017.
  • Between 15-18 September 2018, he completed a 120 km solo sea swim from the Southern Salin Basin in Thyna-Sfax to Jilij Island (near Scorpion Tour Island) behind Djerba Island passing across Boughrara Lake in 76 hours 30 minutes in Tunisia at the age of 66.
  • In September 2019, he planned an unprecedented 133.63 km cross-border swim, the Speedo Diplomacy swim was to be from the island of Lampedusa, Italy to the Mahdia coastline of Tunisia at the age of 67 called the Swimming Marathon ITALY-TUNISIA.
  • He was named one of the World's 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Men in 2019 by the World Open Water Swimming Association.
  • In 2019, he released an autobiography of his career called Above the Ramparts.
  • On 5 October 2019, he was recognized by Guinness World Records for his 76 hour 30 minute solo 120 km swim from Sfax Thyna to behind Djerba Island (Jlij Island). He is world titled the longest marathon swim duration no stop no assisted in water body sea in history.
  • On 11 August 2020, he swam 40 km from Great Kuriat to Sousse in the Mediterranean Sea in 10 hours 43 minutes 15 seconds at the age of 69.
  • Between 30 October and 1 November 2020, Belhedi completed Djerba, the Pearl of Peace, a 155 km swim around Djerba, Tunisia in 47 hours 50 minutes 10 seconds at the age of 69. It was the longest unassisted circumnavigation swim by a man ratified by WOWSA. He was honored on 6 December 2020 by the Hasdrubal Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Tunisia in partnership with the Hasdrubal chain presided by Sir Raouf Amouri and WOWSA. This Hall of Fame is located on Djerba Island at Hasdrubal Prestige Thalassa & Spa (Tourist zone of Midoun) in Tunisia.
  • He was selected as Tunisia's Best Sportsman of the Year in 2013, shared with four other athletes.
  • He was selected as Tunisia's Best Sportsman of the Year in 2020.
  • He was voted upon as the 2020 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year.
  • He completed a Sicilian Channel 72 km solo marathon swim from Pantelleria, Italy to Kelibia, Tunisia in 1995 at the age of 43.
  • He will attempt a 155 km solo marathon swim from Italy to Tunisia in June or July 2022 at the age of 70.

Bio in Arabic

Belhedi's biography is posted in Arabic - read Nejib Ben Messaoud Belhedi here.

Ouma

Dialog Across The Seas

Lt. Colonel Nejib shared the story of the Belhedi Trophy and its relationship to the Maghreb countries of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania and the Western Sahara. "In my preparation for his Channel attempt, the Tunisian Ministry of Defence provided its support by allowing me to train and attempt different marathon swims in the Mediterranean Sea. I trained in such places as the Kerkennah Islands to Sfax, Hammam lif - Sidi to Bou Said, Cap Bon to La Marsa and the Sicilian Channel - La Galite Island to Cap Serrat. As a result, I completed my England – France crossing in 1993 in 16 and 35 minutes under difficult conditions."

"The encouragement by the Tunisian government led to my encouragement of marathon swimming among young people in Tunisia today. I dream of another Tunisian swimmer achieving the Channel swim. Success will bring more success and I hope the presence of other international swimmers will encourage the development of more Tunisian marathon swimmers. In 2007, I received the Montserrat Tresserras Trophy for the first successful swimmer from a new country and discussions ensued. In 2008, the Channel Swimming Association established a new trophy in my name, The Belhedi Trophy for the Channel swim successfully performed on the highest tide of the season."

The Belhedi Trophy

The Belhedi Trophy carries the names of two American swimmers, Kelvin Webster and Anthony Zamora, who were awarded the trophy in for their English Channel crossings on the highest tides in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

"I want to establish a nursery for the first generation of North African marathon swimmers and organized the Tethys Challenge in 2007 in Tunisia where seven Channel swimmers from England, Scotland, India and Norway swam seven different crossings in seven days between the islands of Zembretta, Curiates, Kerkennah, Djerba, Plane, Cani and Echkli. The conception led to Tethys Challenge Formula7777 (7 ISLANDS, 7 SWIMMERS,7 DAYS/2007). At the suggestion of the Channel Swimming Association, this ultimately led to The Belhedi Trophy and the birth of the Dialog Across The Seas project with the support of International Swimming Hall of Fame inductee Michael Read."

Since the start of this project, new opportunities and other regions of Maghreb have expressed their interest and support of marathon swimming. Selection of swimmers, preparation, training, cold water acclimatization, specific medical support and the qualification of pilot boats to escort swimmers are all issues that are being formulated.

"This is the relationship between The Belhedi Trophy and the Dialog Across The Seas project, the marathon swimming link between Great Britain with the Maghreb countries."

1400K Swim Course

Belhedi completed a 1,400 km stage swim from the Tunisian/Algerian border in the Tunisian North Sea to the Tunisian/Libyan border in the Southern Tunisian Sea, along the Tunisian coast in an unprecedented attempt. It is the longest solo unassisted stage swim in a sea. Belhedi started at Djerba Island and headed east an average of 3.8 km per day over the scheduled 365-day stage swim from west to east in Tunisia. He started on 22 June 2011 and finished in June 2012.

The swim was the catalyst to a similar stage swim across neighboring Libya, a daunting 2,000-kilometer aquatic traverse along the coast of Libya.

Goals

The aims of the 1400K Swim Across Tunisia is to bring a warm slogan of Welcome to Tunisia via:

1. To invite tourists and increase the popularity of Tunisia by showcasing it as a friendly and hospitable country,

2. To support the bonds of national unity in the era of revolution of dignity and reverence for the sanctity of the borders of Tunisia and its coasts,

3. To devote the concept of global sustainable development, giving weight to environmental, tourism, sports, social and cultural aspects.

These three goals will highlight Tunisia through its best image to the world. Looking like the Sun shining and its planets circling around as well as the Tunisian islands circling around Tunisia, as our planet Earth, in turn around the Sun in the cycle taking 364-365 days, the same duration that the 1400K Swim will take too.

During this sun-water long route, television broadcasts will constantly show the distance swum on a daily basis.

Poetic Description

Nor the Current stops him!

Neither the immensity of sea downs him!

We see his arms thank the waves across each meter he swims.

It’s already a prelude to see a new shore for him.

1400K Swim Strategy

Utilize a courageous self-energy to realize a dream to see Tunisia brighten as the sunshine. The swim will be supported by the native people living the different communities along the Tunisian coast.

Belhedi's personal effects will be transferred along the coast throughout the swim by the local people. He will swim together with relay swimmers who may may him along the swim. He will be housed and fed along the course by members of the local communities.

The islands around the Tunisian coast are not concerned by 1400 K Swim circuit which will fellow the coast. However, a distance bonus will be accorded to the swimmer each time he swims going and back continent coast/ island/ continent coast. All the distance that he would have to swim along the coast from his depart point to the arrival point at the coast continent for the island swim concerned , this distance is considered as a distance swam.

World Open Water Swimming Association Performance of the Year Nominations




On 15-18 September 2018, Nejib Belhedi completed a 120 km solo sea swim from the Southern Salin Basin in Thyna-Sfax through the middle of Boughrara Lake to Scorpion Tour Island in Djerba in 76 hours 30 minutes in Tunisia at the age of 66.

Swim of Peace Ouma - Djerba

The 26 km Swim of Peace Ouma - Djerba (Ouma of Djerba) will be held on 2 June 2013 under the leadership of Nejib Belhedi, Adam Walker, Haydn Welch, Jackie Cobell, Dave Cobell, Nicola Fraser, Silke Fraser, Rebecca Jarre, Thomas Noblett, Claire Noblett, Keith Bartolo, Gabriele Galli, and Mauro Giaconia.

  • Circuit 1 (Nucleus of Peace): 2 km
  • Circuit 2 (Right Peace Wing 1): 4 km
  • Circuit 3 (Left Peace Wing): 4 km
  • Circuit 4 (Right Peace Wing 2): 8 km
  • Circuit 5 (Left Peace Wing 2): 8 km

The goal is for 1,000 swimmers to complete an average of 2 km during the 2-hour time period for a cumulative total of 2,000 km.

Mount Everest Swim

Belhedi planned, but did not attempt, an open water swim at 6,000 meters altitude on Mount Everest on 17 August 2014.

Video


Barbara Lake Swim


On 20 January 2018, Al Watanyia TV 1 broadcast Nejib Belhedi's solo swim of 1 hour 45 minutes covering 3 km in 1ºC water in Barbara Lake, Tunisia observed by the Governor of Jandouba, Tunisia.

Iron Swim1000

Nejib Belhedi completed his boat pulling of the 1014-ton ship a distance of 425 meters in 25 minutes on 22 May 2017 in Tunisia's Sfax Port with WOWSA observer Hammadi Rekik

World's 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Men

He was named one of the World's 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Men in 2015 by the World Open Water Swimming Association.

2016 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year

Belhedi was nominated for and selected as the 2016 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year.

Nejib Belhedi is one of the very few individuals who have carved out a clear niche in the sport. Similar to Lynne Cox in her ice swimming exploits, Lewis Pugh in his extreme swimming events, and Martin Strel for his river stage swims, the former Lieutenant Colonel has singlehandedly created the World Iron Swim tour, and has dramatically pulled children and adults in multi-ton boats in televised extravaganzas. Along the way, he has cheerfully inspired many of all ages and walks of life in his native Tunisia and throughout Northern Africa and the Middle East to take up swimming and their own personal challenges. For his creativity of organizing increasingly more difficult World Iron Swims, for successfully pulling 2 boat totaling 70 tons 550 meters in 20 minutes in Bizerta Channel and for pulling another 70-ton ship called Mohamed Ali 350 meters in 39 minutes in Port El Kantaoui, for continuously and widely promoting swims of peace and the joy, challenge and healthfulness of open water swimming for people of all ages, Nejib Belhedi is a worthy nominee for the 2016 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year.

2015 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year Nominee

Belhedi is nominated for the 2015 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year by the World Open Water Swimming Association along with the following nominees:

1. Andreas Fath (Germany) Swim for Science
2. Andrea Fazio (Italy) Like Father, Like Son
3. Christian Reichert (Germany) FINA World Cup Champion
4. Dan Projansky (U.S.A.) Butterflying Marathoner
5. Jim Clifford (U.S.A.) Oldest Triple Crowner
6. Fast and Frozen by Henri Kaarma (Estonia), Ryan Stramrood (South Africa), Anna Carin-Nordin (Sweden), Patrick Corcoran (Ireland), Zdeněk Thalmika (Czech Republic), Elina Makïnen (Finland) Two-way North Channel Relay
7. Ganga Avahan by by Paramvir Singh, Gullupilli Narahari, Saripilli Srihari (India) Stage Swimmers
8. Jordan Wilimovsky (U.S.A.) Olympian & World Champion
9. Kelly Gneiting (U.S.A.) Sumo Swimmer
10. Kimberley Chambers (New Zealand) Farallon Freestyler
11. Matthew Moseley (U.S.A.) Trifecta Lake-Ocean-River Swimmer
12. Mike Arbuthnot (South Africa) Midmar Mile Founder
13. Nejib Belhedi (Tunisia) Camel Swim
14. Night Train Swimmers by Grace van der Byl, Dave Holscher, Kimberley Chambers, Adam Eilath, Ashley Horne, Vito Bialla (U.S.A./New Zealand) NT300 Relay
15. Oceans Seven Relay by Rick Gaenzle, Chris Kraus, Brian Ross (U.S.A.) Triumphant Trio
16. Susan Simmons (Canada) Swimming with Multiple Sclerosis
17. Swim The Eden Expedition by Calum Hudson, Jack Hudson, Robbie Hudson (Great Britain) Brotherly Wild Swim
18. Team Nadadores Locos by Amy Appelhans Gubser, Kirk McKinney, Les Mangold, John Sims, Jeff Everett, Andrew McLaughlin (U.S.A.) Two-way Farallon Islands Relay
19. The Old Men And The Sea Relay by Don Baker, Dr. Bill Spore, Dave Radcliffe, Graham Johnston, Bob Best, Bob Beach, Norm Stupfel (U.S.A.) Catalina Cruisers
20. The Deep Enders by Jim McConica, Tom Ball, John Chung, Zach Jirkovsky, Tamie Stewart, Stacey Warmuth (U.S.A.) San Nicholas Channelers
21. Theodore Yach (South Africa) Robben Island Swimmer
22. Trent Theroux (U.S.A.) Comeback Circumnavigation
23. Wendy Trehiou (Jersey) Saint Malo to Jersey

2015 WOWSA Award Nomination

Belhedi's 2015 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year nomination reads as follows:

Nejib Belhedi (Tunisia) Camel Swim
 Nejib Belhedi has been turning heads and changing mindsets with this World Iron Swim tour, but with his 4 km swim in Mahdia, he made people stop in their tracks. The English Channel swimmer completed a number of World Iron Swims throughout his native Tunisia where he pulled children, adults and camels along in a boat during highly publicized swims of peace in the turbulent world around his homeland. For his creativity of selecting a 1.5-ton camel to pull along to highlight his swims of peace, for his relentless promotion of the joy, challenge and healthfulness of open water swimming for people of all ages, and for his constantly cheerful attitude that rubs off positively on children and adults, Nejib Belhedi’s Camel Swim is a worthy nominee for the 2015 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year.

2017 World's 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Men

Belhedi is named to the World's 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Men in 2017 (alphabetized by last name) by the World Open Water Swimming Association:

1. Dr. Doron Amosi, extreme relay/cross-border swimmer from Israel
2. Antonio Argüelles Díaz-González, channel swimmer and endurance athlete from Mexico
3. Cyril Baldock, marathon/channel swimmer from Australia
4. Ram Barkai, administrator, event organizer and ice swimmer from South Africa
5. John Batchelder, butterflying marathon swimmer from USA
6. Nejib Belhedi, marathon/stage/boat pull swimmer from Tunisia
7. Alexander Brylin, channel ice swimmer from Russia
8. Luc Chetboun, extreme relay/cross-border swimmer from Israel
9. Salvatore Cimmino, amputee advocate and marathon/extreme swimmer from Italy
10. Jean Craven, marathon/extreme swimmer from South Africa
11. Ned Denison, IMSHOF administrator and marathon/ice swimmer from Ireland
12. Craig Dietz, disabled open water swimmer from USA
13. Ben Enosh, extreme relay/cross-border swimmer from Israel/USA
14. Udi Erell, extreme relay/cross-border swimmer from Israel
15. Stephen Junk, channel swimmer from Australia
16. Henri Kaarma, event organizer and ice swimmer from Estonia
17. Ger Kennedy, ice, underwater and extreme swimmer from Ireland
18. Craig Lenning, marathon/channel/ice swimmer from the USA
19. Neil Macaskill, extreme/cross-border swimmer from South Africa
20. Pádraig Mallon, escort pilot, event organizer and marathon/channel/ice swimmer from Ireland
21. Ingemar Patiño Macarine, channel/marathon swimmer from the Philippines
22. Andrew Malinak, administrator and cold water/marathon/channel swimmer from the USA
23. Chris Marthinusen, extreme/high-altitude swimmer from South Africa
24. Patrick McKnight, marathon/channel swimmer from the USA
25. Allan McLeland, Peak and Pond swimmer/climber from the USA
26. Darren Miller, channel swimmer and event director from the USA
27. Rohan More, marathon/channel swimmer from India
28. Gullupilli Narhari, extreme relay swimmer from India
29. Matías Ola, event organizer and ice/extreme swimmer from Argentina
30. Kieron Palframan, ice/extreme swimmer from South Africa
31. James Pittar, blind marathon/channel swimmer from Australia
32. Javier Mérida Prieto, disabled Triple Crown swimmer from Spain
33. Lewis Pugh OIG, ocean advocate and ice/extreme swimmer from the UK
34. Oded Rahav, extreme relay/cross-border swimmer from Israel
35. Stephen Redmond, channel/marathon swimmer from Ireland
36. Adrian Sarchet, marathon/channel swimmer from Guernsey
37. Ori Sela, extreme relay/cross-border swimmer from Israel
38. Dan Simonelli, coach/guide/observer and marathon/channel swimmer from the USA
39. Paramvir Singh, extreme relay swimmer from India
40. Albert Sobirov, ice swimmer from Russia
41. Petar Stoychev, marathon/channel/ice/Olympic swimmer from Bulgaria
42. Ryan Stramrood, ice/extreme swimmer from South Africa
43. Martin Strel, marathon/stage swimmer from Slovenia
44. Dr. Otto Thaning, channel/marathon swimmer from South Africa
45. Jacques Tuset, prison island swimmer from France
46. Toks Viviers, ice/extreme swimmer from South Africa
47. Adam Walker, coach, event organizer, and channel swimmer from England
48. Christof Wandratsch, event organizer and ice/marathon/channel/professional swimmer from Germany
49. Brenton Williams, event organizer and butterfly ocean swimmer from South Africa
50. Herman van der Westhuizen, extreme high-altitude swimmer from South Africa

External links

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