Swiss endurance swimmer Noam Yaron has once again seen his extraordinary attempt to cross the Mediterranean from Calvi to Monaco cut short, this time agonisingly close to the finish line. After nearly five days and four nights in the water, the 28-year-old was forced to abandon just a few kilometres from Monaco’s shores due to worsening sea conditions and fatigue that left him unable to continue.
Yaron set off from Calvi with the ambition of swimming 180 kilometres non-stop, without leaving the sea and without direct motorised assistance. Beyond the sporting feat, the attempt carried a dual mission: to raise awareness about the fragile state of the Mediterranean and to support research through the collection of samples of plankton, microplastics and marine fauna.
It was his second attempt at this formidable challenge. In 2024, storms forced him to stop after passing the 100 km mark. This year, cruelly, he had Monaco’s coastline in sight since Thursday evening but could not break through the strong currents. Exhaustion accumulated over the 100-plus hours spent battling the sea made the last stretch impossible.
The planned triumphant arrival at the Méridien Beach Plaza was never realised. Instead, Yaron was lifted onto a boat where, despite the setback, he was conscious and even managed to joke with his mother as doctors assessed his condition. His team confirmed he was in stable health and recovering.
Though unfinished, the swimmer’s feat remains a remarkable display of endurance and resilience, highlighting not just the punishing power of the Mediterranean, but also the urgent need to better protect it.
