How long would it take a person to swim the entire Amazon?

Most people associate the term “Amazon” with the largest and most prominent online retail hub, connecting buyers and producers around the world. However, the name “Amazon” derives from one of the longest rivers in the world, the Amazon, which stretches 4,345 miles. Located on the South American continent, the Amazon begins 100 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The Amazon is surprisingly longer than the Atlantic, so swimming the entire river would be quite an accomplishment!

10 quick facts about the Amazon

1. Experts continue to debate where the name “Amazon” came from. Some believe it was named by Francisco de Orellana, a Spanish explorer. Others claim the name derives from the word “amassona,” a Native American term meaning “boat wrecker.”
2. It is estimated that the Amazon pours ten times as much water into the Atlantic Ocean as the mouth of the Mississippi.
3. The depth of the Amazon can range from 66 to 330 feet depending on the time of year.
4. The current of the Amazon can travel up to four miles per hour.
5. The Amazon flows mainly through the South American countries of Peru and Brazil.
6. There are 1,100 tributaries in the Amazon that reach other countries in South America including but not limited to Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia.
7. Before the Andes were formed, the Amazon probably flowed in the opposite direction that it flows today, toward the Pacific rather than the Atlantic.
8. The Amazon is teeming with and surrounded by a limitless biodiversity, including animals like the piranha and the capybara.
9. Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, which surrounds much of the Amazon, threatens fish and other aquatic animals. Tree roots hold in the ground, but when these trees are felled, the ground becomes loose and results in runoff. Runoff can cause numerous environmental problems such as B. Eutrophication that kills aquatic life.
10. In the Amazon, overfishing is a problem that both reduces biodiversity and disrupts aquatic habitats.

Dangers of the Amazon

Although it sounds like an amazing adventure to swim down the Amazon, many dangers accompany the journey. Diseases and infections such as malaria threaten those who travel deep into the Amazon. Additionally, the Amazon is one of the most biodiverse areas on earth, and with biodiversity comes an abundance of terrifying animal encounters. Below they detail some of the worst dangers facing Amazonian wildlife.

snakes

Snakes like the green anaconda and pit viper are not only scary, they can be deadly. The green anaconda can grow over 30 feet long and is believed to be the largest snake on earth! This species of snake wraps itself around its prey and suffocates it to death. After that, the green anaconda swallows its prey in one piece! On the other hand, the pit viper is intimidating and venomous. Their venom is powerful and likely deadly.

fishes

The piranha is probably the most famous fish that swims in the Amazon. Piranhas attack their victims by tearing open their skin and muscles in a frenzy. Piranhas have extremely sharp teeth and red eyes that make them appear menacing. However, piranhas are not as aggressive as they appear or are portrayed in the media. In fact, swimming with piranhas is not dangerous in most areas of the Amazon.

Another impressive fish is the bull shark, the most dangerous shark in the world. They can weigh up to 700 pounds and reach 11 feet in length. These animals are extremely aggressive and have been known to tear apart large aquatic creatures. Fortunately, bull shark sightings are rare in the Amazon, but if you plan to swim the entire Amazon, be vigilant!

amphibians

Poison dart frogs may look enticing with their bright colors and intriguing patterns, but visitors to the Amazon should keep their distance. The species’ venom is so intense that it can be fatal within minutes. Poison dart frogs are one of the most poisonous species in the world. So if you see one, stay back!

How long it would take to swim the Amazon

The average person swims at a speed of one to two miles per hour. Therefore, it would take someone 120 days to swim the entire 4,345 miles if they didn’t take breaks. If someone swam 12 hours every day, it would take twice as long, meaning the swimmer would complete the Amazon in about eight months. However, these estimates can vary depending on the current strength of the river and whether a person is swimming upstream or downstream.

In addition, the speed in miles per hour that a person can swim depends on factors such as fitness, ability, weight, gender, and lung capacity. As such, it’s difficult to give a general estimate of how long it might take to swim across the Amazon. Olympic swimmers like Michael Phelps can swim between four and six miles per hour. At that pace, Michael Phelps was able to swim the entire Amazon between 30.2 and 45.3 days non-stop and without changing speed. However, these record-breaking swim rates were only achieved over short distances. The reality is that even Michael Phelps would not be able to maintain enough stamina and speed to swim the entire Amazon in less than two months.

The man who swam the Amazon

On April 8, 2007, a brave swimmer named Martin Strel conquered 3,274 miles of the Amazon. Even more shocking, he only swam 66 days! Strel is an experienced marathon swimmer who holds records for swimming in various natural bodies of water such as the Mississippi and Danube rivers. He also swam non-stop from Africa to Europe in less than 30 hours!

However, Strel did not manage to swim the Amazon unaided. A crew followed him throughout the journey, but even his supporters couldn’t mitigate the impact the swim was having on Strel. When he finished the trip, his body was in bad shape. He could barely walk and his blood pressure rose.

Although Strel prepared for the voyage both mentally and physically through rigorous training and psychological exercises, he encountered many difficulties during the expedition. For example, poisonous animals and fish, such as the piranha, threatened to attack him. Infections and diseases like malaria are rampant throughout the Amazon, so avoiding a debilitating disease was a task all of its own. Also, pirates threaten the safety of the Amazon, so Strel had to consult with the locals and do some research to make sure he didn’t get into trouble.

During his swim, Strel entered a kind of hypnotic state that would help him take his mind off physical and mental barriers. Those moments allowed him to get in the zone and focus on what he needed to accomplish. In several instances, Strel played movies in his head or had mental conversations with God or his wife. In this way, Strel’s time would melt away, giving him the opportunity to keep moving forward and focus on his goal without interruptions.

Strel often wanted to give up. He was separated from his crew at times and encountered a plethora of problems along the route. However, he kept his strong mentality, overcame the obstacles and finally realized his dream.

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