Croatian swimmer Dina Levacic to swim Japan’s Tsugaru Strait

Dina Levacic off to Japan (Photo: Dina Levacic)

SPLIT, 13 August, 2019 – Croatian long-distance swimmer Dina Levacic is set to embark on a brand new challenge. 

On Tuesday, Levacic announced at a press conference in Split that she will attempt to swim Japan’s Tsugaru Strait. The Tsugaru Strait is a strait between Honshu and Hokkaido in northern Japan connecting the Sea of Japan with the Pacific Ocean. 

It was named after the western part of Aomori Prefecture. The Seikan Tunnel passes under it at its narrowest point 12.1 miles (19.5 km) between Tappi Misaki on the Tsugaru Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture, Honshu, and Shirakami Misaki on the Matsumae Peninsula in Hokkaido.

Because of the exceptionally strong currents, which are some of the strongest in the world, swimmers must plan there swims when conditions are at their best and the route is 30 km. 

“I am scheduled to swim during the period between 19.08 – 21.08, starting the swim at night. I expect the sea to be around 26C, but with strong winds. I hope that at it will calm down for a bit at least so I can swim it,” Dina said, before adding. 

Japan’s Tsugaru Strait (CC)

“I hope to become the 43rd person to successfully swim it and that the wind and currents do not effect my start.”

The Tsugaru Strait is part of the Big 7 marathons which she plans to swim in her career. 

Dina ready for Japan (Photo: Dina Levacic)

Dina, who is from Solin near Split, completed the Triple Crown in 2017 when she swam across the English Channel (34 km), between Catalina Island and the California mainland (32.5 km) and done the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim (48.5 km). She also completed the gruelling 42 km swim between Molokai and Oahu in Hawaii.