TwinsSwimOceans7

BACKGROUND
Claire and Christine have been swimming all their lives, and are attempting to become the first twins in history to complete the Oceans7 Challenge. This is a series of the seven most dangerous open water swims in the world, and range in distances from 9 to 26 miles. Harsh currents, dangerous sea life, extreme cold, and busy shipping lanes will prove to be a significant challenge, and must all be met with the simplest of equipment. Swimmers are only permitted to wear a traditional swim suit, swim cap, and goggles. This means no wetsuit to protect them from frigid temperatures and stinging species, and also means no equipment that improves efficiency. Given these conditions, it is evident that each swimmer will suffer varying degrees of hypothermia, despite precautions taken before the start of the swim. Additionally, swimmers are not permitted to board the pilot boat at any point during the swim, and will be automatically disqualified if they touch the boat before the swim is complete. 

While pursuing this challenge, Claire and Christine will also have the opportunity to raise awareness for global ocean conservation efforts, as they are both passionate about conservation efforts and feel duty bound to do their part to protect the oceans from harmful plastics and waste. They have aligned themselves with supporters that share their passion and concern for the ocean, and will be working closely with these supporters to demonstrate what can be done to prevent waste from reaching the ocean, and to showcase that recycled ocean waste can be made new again. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP
This fundraising campaign will assist with the travel costs, guide boats, channel association application fees, and safety planning needed for each swim. Swimmers are required to hire a pilot boat that will guide them safely across the channel, and must also pay a channel association application fee that will cover both the paperwork and the official Observer. The Observer is a referee that will be present for the swim to ensure that all rules and regulations are followed. The pilot boat fees can be thousands of dollars per swimmer, and this cost will pay the captain, crew, safety/medical personnel, and fuel needed for the crossing. Additional funding will be used to purchase protective devices that deter predatory species, thus protecting the swimmer and improving the chances for a successful swim. 

This challenge will be a tremendous physical and financial undertaking, and any support would be met with insurmountable gratitude. The swims themselves may be an individual effort, but every other piece of this puzzle will come together through teamwork and support; without which, there will be no success.