Three unfinished crossings, hypothermia, venomous jellyfish and millions of strokes are among the challenges behind Bengisu Avcı’s journey to becoming the first Turkish swimmer to complete the Ocean’s Seven, considered the Everest of open-water swimming and made up of seven of the world’s most difficult and dangerous natural channels.
Avcı spoke about those challenges in “Bengisu Avcı: Starfish – A Story of Courage,” a documentary that follows her journey and the experiences behind her crossings.
Known for completing the Ocean’s Seven, Avcı had previously been forced to abandon three attempts. She left the water during her English Channel and North Channel crossings because of hypothermia and was unable to complete her Molokai Channel attempt after coming into contact with venomous jellyfish.
“Leaving the water without reaching a goal you have prepared for months, even years, returning to the hotel and feeling like you are going back to Türkiye incomplete affects you deeply,” Avcı said.
Looking back, she said those three unsuccessful attempts taught her to be patient, get back up, prepare better and not give up.
