Sea Hawks, supported by IDBI Bank, achieve Guinness World Record

Mangalore, December 8, 2016: ‘The Swim of the Century’ supported by IDBI Bank has set the Guinness World Record for the longest open-water relay swim by successfully completing the 1000 km expedition in the Arabian Sea from Gateway of India, Mumbai to Tannirbhavi Beach, Mangaluru via Goa. Sea Hawks, led by Wing Commander Paramvir Singh, in alliance with IDBI Bank, embarked on the expedition on November 26, 2016 as a tribute to the martyrs and victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Sea Hawks have broken two world records- the longest 6 person open water swim which was held by Americas’ Night Trains for 505 kms and the longest open-water relay swim by 200 swimmers covering 684.75 km in 2009. Sea Hawks had also broken their previous year’s record of 433.11 km by crossing 548 km mark at Panjim, Goa.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri K. P. Nair, DMD, IDBI Bank, said, “We are proud to be a part of this ‘Swim of the Century’ and whole heartedly congratulate the Team Sea Hawks for their achievement. This New World Record is a tribute to all those martyrs, who lost their lives guarding ours, and to those Heroes who showed bravery in the face of danger. IDBI Bank is a young bank and has always promoted sports and encouraged individual and group achievements that have done our country proud.”  

Profile Of Swimmers 

Wing Commander Paramvir Singh, Team Leader

Param is an extremely passionate adventure sportsman with considerable and extensive experience in most adventure sports in all elements - aero, land and aqua, and holding at last count 10 World, 03 Asian and 07 National records. The IAF officer is a PADI certified Scuba diver, certified Rafting guide, long distance open-water Endurance swimmer as well as a Triathlon athlete, high altitude marathon runner, skier, mountaineer, skydiver and paragliding pilot. An innovative thinker and a dynamic, extremely positive individual, he has planned and led pioneering expeditions as varied as channel swims in the English Channel and the Arabian Sea (breaking a World Record), the World’s toughest Triathlon events, and the historic first ever swim down the entire stretch of the river Ganga. The officer was conferred with the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure award for the year 2014 for his outstanding contribution in water sports, the highest award in adventure sports bestowed by the Government of India, equivalent to the Arjuna awards.

Rahul Chiplunkar

Rahul is an extremely prolific swimmer as well as a highly sought after open water swim coach from Mumbai. He has represented Maharashtra state in swimming, water polo and triathlon events. Rahul has coached and managed the Mumbai swimming team and the Maharashtra State team for the past few years. He is a subcommittee member of the Maharashtra Amateur Aquatic Association, long distance committee. He was the organising secretary for the state swimming championships cum selection trials for Nationals 2016, and selection committee member for swimming and water polo 2016.

Manav Mehta

Manav is a 16 year old swimming prodigy from Navi Mumbai, who has been undertaking open water swims since he was 7 years old. His open water swims include notable swims in the Arabian Sea, the Bhagirathi river and the Hooghly. He was part of the 2015 World Record swim by the Sea Hawks, swimming from Goa to Mumbai covering 433.11 kms in 119.59 hrs, breaking Israel’s record, as well as the Endurothon swim on the English Channel.

Sgt. (retd) G. Narahari

Narahari is a highly accomplished open water swimmer, who has been a member of several record-making expeditions, including the IAF Around Mumbai swim, the world record swim from Goa to Mumbai as well as the IAF Trans-Ganga rafting expedition. Narahari was also part of the team, which successfully completed the world’s toughest Triathlon, as well as the Endurothon English Channel swim. Ganga Avahan was his last expedition while in active service, as he retired soon thereafter.

Shrikant Palande

Shrikant, a member of the Mumbai Police, is a highly decorated swimmer at the services and National level. He has won medals at the National Games, Open National Championship and the All-India Police games. Shrikant is also the proud recipient of the DG medal. 

LAC Vicky Tokas

Vicky is a serving Air warrior with the Indian Air Force and an extremely experienced swimmer, having competed at various levels in the IAF. He was a member of the IAF team, which established an Asian record, swimming in clockwise direction around Mumbai. Vicky was also a part of the 2015 World record swim by the Sea Hawks, swimming from Goa to Mumbai, covering 433.11 kms in 119.59 hours, breaking Israel’s record.