A Nigerian, Akinrodoye Dare, known as Dreh, has done the unthinkable.
Dreh completed a two-hour and 33-minute non-stop swim across the Lagos Lagoon, the body of water underneath the Third Mainland Bridge, Africa’s second-longest bridge.
Dreh, a swim coach, stole the spotlight Sunday by swimming the entire 11.8-kilometer length of Lagos’ Third Mainland Bridge to raise awareness for a just cause.
The CEO of Ocean28 Academy said the challenging task of swimming the entire length of the Third Mainland Bridge was aimed at spotlighting the concerning trend of past suicide attempts on the bridge.
He dove into the water at 9.28 am on Sunday. He had a demo swim on March 30. Earlier, he swam across the famous Landmark Beach, Lagos, on 21 January to test his resilience and skill.
Before embarking on the challenge, which lasted nearly three hours, he announced it with his 3000 Instagram followers.
His post read: “In a world where mental health struggles can feel isolating, we offer hope, extend a helping hand, and show that no one is alone in their battles with mental health and suicidal thoughts.”
Coach Dreh embarked on an extraordinary swimming adventure, starting in Oworonshoki on Lagos Mainland and finishing at Adeniji Adele on Lagos Island.
The video, which captured his journey process, has taken the internet by storm.
In the captivating footage, Dreh, the first Nigerian to make this attempt, was seen accompanied by his teammates, supporters, the media, and essential medical personnel.
What was truly astonishing was that Dreh chose not to wear a life jacket, showcasing his remarkable expertise and skill as he swam through waters ranging from 36 to 54 meters deep.
He navigated the Lagos Lagoon, which feeds into the Atlantic Ocean via Lagos Harbour, a vital channel that spans 0.5 to 1 km in width and stretches 10 km through the city’s heart.
After completing his gruelling swim, he was provided with a floater.
A visibly exhausted Dreh was safely pulled from the water and given immediate medical attention to recover his strength.
Earlier, the Ocean28 Academy CEO said the motivation for this daring endeavour was the alarming number of public suicides that have occurred on the Third Mainland Bridge. (Premium Times)
