Cameron Bellamy became only the 11th person (and the first from Africa) to complete the Oceans 7, open water swimming’s version of climbing the 7 highest mountains in the world. The Oceans 7 consists of the 7 toughest channel swims around the world (including New Zealand’s Cook Strait, Japan’s Tsugaru Strait, Hawaii’s Molokai Channel, The North Channel between Scotland & Ireland, California’s Catalina Channel, The Strait of Gibraltar, and The English Channel).
Tsugaru Strait
06/21/2018
A swim between Honshu, the main island of Japan, and Hokkaido in northern Japan connecting the Sea of Japan with the Indian Ocean. The channel is known for winds, turbulence and waves. Marine life and a variety of sharks including Great Whites. May be encountered. Bellamy’s first attempt at Tsugaru was October 2017, but this was foiled by strong currents and very cold water.
Distance: 19.5km
Duration: 11 hours and 7 minutes and 28 seconds
The Cook Strait
03/11/2018
A swim between the South and North Islands of New Zealand, known for its cold water and volatile weather. 15% of attempts encounter sharks.
Distance: 32km Duration:12 hours 43 minutes
The Molokai Channel
02/15/2017
A swim between the islands of Molokai and Oahu in Hawaii. Known for its big seas, long distance, and myriad species of poisonous jelly fish.
Distance: 46 km
Duration:17 hours 6 minutes
The North Channel
07/14/2016
A swim between Northern Ireland and Scotland. Known for being the hardest of the Oceans 7 swims. It is frigidly cold, with temperatures of 10 –12 degrees C. Most attempts encounter swarms of deadly jellyfish.
Distance: 35km Duration: 12 hours 13 minutes
The Catalina Channel
11/07/2015
A swim between Catalina Island and Los Angeles, known for its strong currents and marine life.
Distance: 35km Duration: 11 hours 52 minutes
The Strait of Gibraltar
04/08/2015
An iconic swim between Europe (Tarifa, Spain) and Africa (somewhere on the Moroccan coast)
Distance: 20km Duration: 4 hours 1 minute
The English Channel
07/05/2012
Between England and France. The swim is known for its cold water and variable conditions.