Swimmer seeks to set Guinness World Record, creating awareness for Parkinson's disease

July 9, 2016

ULTRA-DISTANCE TRIATHLETE Adam Ellenstein will attempt a Guinness World Record for the fastest north-to-south non-stop swim of Okanagan Lake in Penticton on July 25 to 26 starting in Vernon.

Ultra-distance triathlete Adam Ellenstein will attempt a Guinness World Record for the fastest north-to-south non-stop swim of Okanagan Lake in Penticton.

He will swim 105 kilometers (65 miles) starting in Vernon on July 25 and concluding in Penticton July 26 in support of those with Parkinson’s and the Davis Phinney Foundation.

A Guinness World Records adjudicator will evaluate evidence, which includes videos, photos, independent witness statements and a GPS tracking log to verify and confirm whether Ellenstein, 39, establishes a new Guinness World Records title.

Fans can follow Ellenstein as he trains and receive updates during the race on the VictorySwim105 Facebook page (www.facebook.com/VictorySwim105 ) and use the hashtag #VictorySwim105 when posting to social media.

“Because of the extreme distance and non-stop activity, events like this cannot happen without a crew,” said Ellenstein in a press release.

He is a solo Race Across America (RAAM) qualifier (400 miles) and last year he completed a 30-km (18 mile) swim across Lake Winnipeg in preparation for his attempt. He successfully completed Ironman (140.6 miles) and UltraMan (320 miles) triathlons.

Ellenstein estimates the swim will take 40 hours to complete.

"There is no way I could do it alone. While on the surface, it sounds like a solo attempt, it is really a team sport," said Ellenstein. "My training puts me in a position to succeed, and the crew keeps me fueled, on course and filled with love. Success in these events is all about the crew.”

A crew of 10 motorized boats and safety kayaks will accompany Ellenstein on his swim.

VictorySwim105 will raise awareness and support to benefit those with Parkinson’s disease through a partnership with the Davis Phinney Foundation (www.davisphinneyfoundation.org/). The Foundation’s mission is to help people with Parkinson’s to live well today. For this reason, Ellenstein considers this his most meaningful endurance challenge to date.

“The swim has a greater meaning than simply going out to test my endurance limits," he said. “I am swimming to support and honour my aunt, Susan Scarlett, who has Parkinson's disease. To her own amazement, she is training to swim portions of the swim with me. We hope people with Parkinson’s, their caregivers and their loved ones will also be empowered to take up the challenge.”

Guinness World Records (www.guinnessworldrecords.com) is the global authority on record-breaking achievements. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records® book has become one of the biggest-selling copyright titles of all time, selling 120 million copies to date in 22 languages and in more than 100 countries. The internationally renowned brand is now also available across a number of platforms — GWR's global television shows are watched by 250 million viewers annually; digital media and online record-processing services attract more than 50 million visitors a year; and the live events team annually entertains and inspires 1.5 million people around the world. GWR receives more than 1,000 applications each week and has a specialized team of multilanguage record managers and adjudicators who travel the globe to verify official record attempts. GWR also has a commercial division (Guinness World Records Corporate) that offers accessible record-breaking business solutions to other organizations and brands.

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