Otto Thaning
Dr. Niels Otto Thaning is a cardiothoracic surgeon at Blain Communications in Cape Town, South Africa and an accomplished marathon swimmer.
Contents
Honors
- Dr. Thaning is a member of the Half Century Club.
- Dr. Thaning is the oldest individual, at the age of 73, to swim across the English Channel.
- Dr. Thaning was nominated for the 2014 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year.
- Dr. Thaning was named a CLDSA Hero by the Cape Long Distance Swimming Association.
Marathon Swimming Career
- Dr. Thaning attempted a 33.5 km crossing of the English Channel in 1992, but he was thwarted by adverse weather in the last 5 kilometers after 12 hours in the water.
- Dr. Thaning returned to attempt another crossing of the English Channel in 1993, but he did not get to swim due to high winds.
- Dr. Thaning completed the English Channel (England to France) in 10 hours 29 minutes in 15-16°C at the age of 54 years old on 40 August 1994. He received the O'Clee Jubilee Cup for his crossing from the Channel Swimming Association.
- Dr. Thaning swam across the English Channel on 6 September 2014 at the age of 73 years 6 months in 12 hours 52 minutes to become the oldest individual in history to cross the English Channel.
- Dr. Thaning completed the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain to Morocco in 4 hours 0 minutes in 19°C at the age of 64 years old on 24 September 2004 to be ranked #41 on the global Oceans Seven.
- Dr. Thaning has swum from Robben Island to Blouberg numerous times including his 2 hour 40 minute crossing on 17 August 2014 at the age of 73.
- On 24 May 1990 in 4 hours 25 minutes at the age of 49.
- On 8 September 1992 in 2 hours 45 minutes at the age of 51.
- Dr. Thaning set a world record in Lake Malawi, Makinjira (Mozambique) when he crossed the lake in 10 hours 50 minutes in 28°C at the age of 51 years on 5 January 1992.
- Dr. Thaning attempted a crossing of the English Channel in September 2018 at the age of 76 years, but aborted the swim after 1.5 hours.
- Dr. Thaning swam daily with Lewis Pugh in the English Channel during The Long Swim in September 2018.
- On 4 April 2021, he became the oldest person to complete a 7.4 km crossing from Robben Island to Bloubergstrand in Cape Town, South Africa in 2 hours 52 minutes at the age of 80 years and 3 weeks in 16°C water with pace swimmer Martin Goodman and escort pilot Roger Finch, and escort crew Lewis Pugh.
Swimming and Heart Surgery
"My swimming interest has always been a passion shared with my involvement in heart surgery. I was fortunate to have been trained by Chris Barnard and work in a hospital in Cape Town that carries his name - Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital."
[Note: Dr. Christiaan Neethling Barnard (8 November 1922 – 2 September 2001) was a South African cardiac surgeon who performed the world's first successful human-to-human heart transplant.
2014 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year Nomination
Dr Thaning is nominated for the 2014 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year.
"On a daily basis, heart surgeon Dr. Otto Thaning has insights on the effects of poor cardiovascular health on adults. He also deeply understands the importance of a healthy lifestyle that also maintains a fine balance between family, work and recreation. He is the living epitome of how best to live a marvelously worthwhile life, both on terra firma and in the world’s oceans. After a long career of open water swimming successes and helping others, Dr. Thaning culminated his career in the English Channel by becoming the oldest person to traverse from England to France – a year after canceling an earlier attempt. At the age of 64, he made a trail-blazing 12 hour 52 minute crossing, far faster than the average swimmer several decades his junior. For his judgment of his own capabilities, for never giving up his dream at crossing the English Channel in his 60s, for his inspirational lifestyle that demonstrates vitality and vigor with compassion and care for millions of Baby Boomers and retirees around the world, Dr. Otto Thaning is a worthy nominee for the 2014 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year."
2014 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year Nominees
1. Adam Walker (Great Britain), Oceans Seven Swimmer
2. Allan Lopes Mamédio do Carmo (Brazil), FINA 10K Marathon Swimming World Cup Champion
4. Colin Hill (Great Britain), Race Director & Open Water Ambassador
4. Ferry Weertman (Netherlands), 2-time European Champion
5. Henri Kaarma (Estonia), Ice Swimmer & Cold Water Ambassador
6. Joanes Hedel (France), FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix Champion
6. Joseph Locke (U.S.A.), Farallons Freestyler
8. Lewis Pugh, OIG (Great Britain), Ocean Advocate
9. Otto Thaning, M.D. (South Africa), Oldest English Channel Swimmer
10. Phil White (U.S.A.), Outstanding Organizer
11. Tomi Stefanovski (Macedonia), Traversée Internationale du lac St-Jean Co-Champion
12. Xavier Desharnais (Canada), Traversée Internationale du lac St-Jean Co-Champion
Honours
Dr Thaning was named a 2014 MSF Global Marathon Swimming Award finalist in the Solo Swim of the Year category.
Oldest Individuals to Cross the English Channel
1. Otto Thaning (South Africa), 64 years, E/F, 12 hours 52 minutes (2014)
2. Cyril Baldock (Australia), 60 years 9 months, E/F, 12 hours 45 minutes (2014)
4. Roger Allsopp (England), 60 years 4 months, E/F, in 16 hours 51 minutes (2011)
4. George Brunstad (USA), 60 years 4 days, E/F, in 15 hours 59 minutes (2004)
5. Chris Shapland (Australia), 69 years, E/F, in 16 hours 28 minutes (2016)
6. Donald Riddington (Australia), 68, E/F, in 19 hours 45 minutes (2014)
6. Clifford Batt (Australia), 66, F/E, in 18 hours 46 minutes (1986)
8. Ashby Harper (USA), 65, E/F, in 14 hours 52 minutes (1982)
9. Joe Smith (England), 65, E/F, in 14 hours 9 minutes (1999)
10. Roger Allsopp (England), 65, E/F, in 15 hours 40 minutes (2006)
11. Sue Oldham (Australia), 65, E/F, in 16 hours 11 minutes (2010)
World's 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Men
Dr. Thaning was named one of the World's 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Men in 2015 by the World Open Water Swimming Association.
2016 World's 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Men
Dr. Thaning was named to the World's 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Men in 2016 (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
4. 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
6. 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
14. 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
16. 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
24. 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
26. 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
40. Kieron Palframan, ice/extreme swimmer from South Africa
41. James Pittar, blind marathon/channel swimmer from Australia
42. Javier Mérida Prieto, disabled Triple Crown swimmer from Spain
44. Lewis Pugh OIG, ocean advocate and ice/extreme swimmer from the UK
44. Oded Rahav, extreme relay/cross-border swimmer from Israel
45. Stephen Redmond, channel/marathon swimmer from Ireland
46. Adrian Sarchet, marathon/channel swimmer from Guernsey
46. Ori Sela, extreme relay/cross-border swimmer from Israel
48. Dan Simonelli, coach/guide/observer and marathon/channel swimmer from the USA
49. 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
44. 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
46. 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
- Updating Encyclopedia Britannica On Distance Swimming
- Doc Counsilman Helped Usher In An Increasingly Graying Trend In Channel Swimming
- Sally Minty-Gravett Goes Six For Six
- Lynne Cox Presenting Cold Water Capers In South Africa
- Do Women Find Male Swimmers Attractive?
- International Day of Older Persons and the Aging Demographics of Open Water Swimmers
- The ICE Series Episode 1 with Dr. Otto Thaning: Heart and Hypothermia in The Ice
- How Ice Swimmers Achieve the Impressive, Improbable, and Inconceivable
- 80 Years And Counting In The English Channel
- The Future Is Now After 80 Years
- Dr. Otto Thaning Presents At The Cold Water Capers
- How Far Is The English Channel?
- Sally Minty-Gravett, Otto Thaning, Ned Denison Give Tribute To Varne Ridge On WOWSA Live
- Sunny Lowry, Giving And Sharing A Long Life Of Service
- Oldest Individuals To Swim Across The World's Channels
- Chris Shapland En Route To Proving Swimming Is Lifelong
- Oldest Individuals To Swim Across The World's Channels
- Will You Still Be Swimming In The Year 2050?
- Roger Finch And Tracy Clark Sharing Their Passions
- Never Too Old, Facing Challenges With Pat Gallant-Charette
- Otto Thaning Gives It Another Shot
- Thoughts About The Great Wave off Kanagawa
- The Unprecedented Lake Malawi Swim By Martin Hobbs
- Martin Marathoning Malawi
- The Perfect Open Water Man
- The Perfect Open Water Woman
- The Perfect Open Water Man
- The Perfect Open Water Woman
- 2016 World's 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Men
- The World's 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Men
- Oldies But Goodies In The Open Water
- The Oldest Men and Women in the Sea
- Oldies But Goodies In The Open Water
- Higher Education In The Open Water
- The Incredible Dr. Otto Thaning On Land And In The Water
- Otto Thaning Completes Hearty Swim From Robben Island
- Swimming Surgeon Shows What Is Possible
- The Dark Shadows Of Neoprene In The Open Water World
- Marathon Swimming
- World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation
- The Perfect Female Open Water Swimmer
- The Perfect Male Open Water Swimmer
- Standing Up To The Tests Of Time
- Dr Otto Thaning, 62 And Counting
- Lewis Pugh Enters Marathon Swimming Hall Of Fame
- Anthony McCarley Taking It To Another Level
- Llandudno Beach To Robben Island By Yach And Goodman
- Roger Finch's False Bay Attempt Despite A Feeding Frenzy
- Dr. Otto Thaning Knows All About Heart
- Charlotte Samuels Lowers Bar, Set Triple Crown Record
- Charlotte Samuels On Achieving The Triple Crown
- Stay Thirsty With The Most Interesting Men In The World
- 2014 World Open Water Swimming Offering of the Year Nominees
- 2014 World Open Water Swimming Woman Of The Year Nominees
- 2014 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year Nominees
- 2014 WOWSA Awards Nominees
- 2014 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year Nominees
- Open Water Swimmers Have A Long, Long Way To Go
- MSF Global Marathon Swimming Award Finalists
- Henri Kaarma, 2014 World Open Water Swimming Man Of The Year
- Negative Splitting Life In The Open Water
- Septuagenarian Swimmers Still
- Feeling Young, Getting Younger In The Open Water
- Wandering Samurai In The Open Water
- Being Old Once Again
- Dr Otto Thaning's English Channel Program At 64
- Open Water Swimming
- World Open Water Swimming Association
- What Could Be Better? Dr. Roger Allsopp And Open Water
- How Old Can They Go? Very Old
- Marathon Swimming
- Daily News of Open Water Swimming
- I Got Stung
- World Marathon Swimming Association
