The purpose of the promotion is also to raise money for cancer research. It is the third time that the swimmer from Waspik has tried. At an earlier attempt in 2017, he did not swim enough laps within time. A year later he made it, but he did not meet the strict rules of the Guinness Book of Records.
Heavy
In total he has to do 4076 laps of 25 meters in the Oosterhout indoor swimming pool De Warande. This record attempt is very different from the much-discussed Eleven Cities Swimming Tour in Friesland last summer. Due to time constraints, he may only do 21 seconds in one job. This makes this challenge more painful, Maarten said earlier.
READ ALSO: Maarten van der Weijden ready for 102 kilometers of swimming in 24 hours: ‘More painful than Eleven Cities Tour’
‘Pride’
At the start of the record attempt, several dozen people were present to support the swimmer. Even some Frisians had traveled to the south. “This is great to experience and to see with your own eyes. You just have to be there”, says a visitor.
Naturally, Maartens wife and children are also by the water. Shouting, they encourage him. “We are very proud,” says his wife Daisy. “This record attempt has been around for longer than our youngest child,” she laughs. “It’s about time he got this one too. That would be great.”
Incidentally, there is also an event planned for Maarten. The new Elfsteden swimming tour will take place from 28 to 31 August. Well-known Dutchmen alternate each other in relay for the journey of approximately 200 kilometers.
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