Ragıp Vural Tandoğan, a 59-year-old former engineer with extensive experience across various companies, has recently achieved a significant milestone in his swimming career. On Aug. 6, Tandoğan became the first Turkish swimmer to circumnavigate Coronado Island in California, U.
S., completing the 18.6-kilometer (11.
56-mile) swim in five hours and 50 minutes. Reflecting on his experience, Tandoğan said: "It was exciting and challenging. The water temperature dropped to 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit), which poses a risk of hypothermia as the body struggles to maintain warmth.
In such conditions, muscle cramps and shivering can become severe and potentially life-threatening if not managed promptly." Having started competitive swimming a decade ago, Tandoğan is eager to continue exploring new challenges. Tandoğan’s passion for swimming began in childhood.
He graduated from Kabataş Erkek Lisesi (Kabataş High School) and later earned a degree in industrial engineering from Istanbul Technical University. Although he initially paused swimming due to work demands, he resumed the sport to improve his health and lose weight. Encouraged by friends, Tandoğan has participated in international swimming competitions, achieving success in nine marathons over the past 10 years.
He shared, "Swimming has always been a passion of mine. It’s crucial to love what you do. I started with 3 kilometers, then 5-10 kilometers and eventually progressed to 44 kilometers.
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