German athlete Nathalie Pohl has made history by becoming the first German woman to complete the Ocean’s Seven challenge of crossing the world’s seven most dangerous straits. The 29-year-old swam the approximately 41-kilometre stretch from Gobbins in Northern Ireland to Portpatrick in Scotland on September 15th, 2024 in an impressive time of 11:05:24 hours. Pohl has been one of the best female open water swimmers in the world for some time, but this incredible achievement solidifies her as one of the top athletes in the sport.
With more than 40,000 arm strokes, Pohl conquered the North Channel, which is considered the toughest of the seven ocean swims. This stretch is around 10 kilometers longer than the English Channel and presents many challenges, including lower water temperatures, unpredictable sea conditions, and the danger of sea creatures such as the lion’s mane jellyfish. Despite these obstacles, Pohl persevered and made history, becoming only the 33rd person in the world to complete the Ocean’s Seven challenge.
Pohl’s coach, Joshua Neuloh, explains the extensive preparation and training that went into this achievement. “We never entirely get used to the cold water, but we made sure that Nathalie was as prepared as possible by training in rough seas with temperatures as low as 14 degrees,” he says. This dedication and discipline have been a part of Pohl’s life for years, and her hard work has paid off in this incredible achievement.
Pohl’s path to this success was not without setbacks. On her first leg of the Ocean’s Seven, the English Channel in 2015, she was taken to the hospital with a pulmonary embolism. But Pohl didn’t let this deter her, and she came back even stronger in 2016, setting a German record in this stretch. Throughout her career, she has set two world records and has written a book about her experiences as an extreme swimmer. Published in 2024, her book has already made it onto the SPIEGEL best-seller list.
Pohl’s coach and team are incredibly proud of her accomplishment, and she says, “It hasn’t quite sunk in yet. I trained for this moment for ten years, spending hours in the water every day. I feel incredibly proud to have now actually made it. It feels fantastic to have been able to push my body beyond its limits. And being rewarded with this success makes it all the more wonderful.”
Pohl’s success is a testament to her unbreakable will and determination. She hopes her achievements will inspire others to never give up on their dreams, no matter how difficult they may seem. More information about Nathalie Pohl and her journey can be found at https://nathaliepohl.de/.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.