Dina Levačić begins 104 Dalmatian islands swim challenge
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Dina Levačić (Photo: Dina Levačić/Facebook)
Croatia’s number one long distance swimmer, Dina Levačić, set off on a new adventure today – swimming around 104 Dalmatian islands.
The “104 Dalmatians” project is a sports-educational-humanitarian initiative which will see Dina swim around 104 officially registered islands, islets, and rocks across the four Dalmatian counties.
Dina, who started today by swimming around the rock Ježinac at Kaštelet beach, will complete all 104 by the middle of November this year. In total Dina will swim around 160 kilometres.
Dina says the project has three main purposed.
Firstly, it’s about showcasing the beauty of Dalmatia and Croatia to the world, especially through platforms like social media. Long-distance swimming is gaining popularity globally, making it an excellent opportunity to attract tourists interested in sports tourism and Croatia’s warm and stunning Adriatic can entice many foreigners to come and experience it firsthand.
(Photo: Dina Levacic/Facebook)
Secondly, this endeavour aims to raise awareness about ecology and the importance of preserving and keeping seas clean. By swimming around these islands, Dina will highlight the need to protect the marine environment and encourage sustainable practices.
Lastly, Dina says the project also serves as a means to raise humanitarian donations. The funds collected will support projects aimed at improving the quality of life on Croatian islands, contributing to the well-being of the local communities.
(Photo: Private album)
There will be minimal swimming from July 1 to September 1 due to heavy maritime traffic and associated safety risks. Since the execution of the project largely depends on weather conditions, there is no plan or date for swimming each island.
Dina has enjoyed monumental success in recent years. To name just a few things, she became the 12th person in the world to complete the Original Triple Crown last year.
She also became the 23rd person ever and the only Croatian to complete the Oceans Seven, which is a marathon swimming challenge consisting of the 7 largest and most difficult channels in the world.
Dina Levačić (Photo: Private album)
She was named Woman of the Year by the World Open Water Swimming Association and earlier this year she became the first Croatian to do iconic Robben Island swim in South Africa.
