Man swims across China's largest freshwater lake

Man swims across China's largest freshwater lake

Yu Lixin, 37, exercises with a chest expander while he swims across Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China, on July 23, 2008


A swimmer dove into Poyang Lake on Wednesday and emerged four and a half hours later as the first Chinese person to swim across the country's largest freshwater lake.

Yu Lixin, 37, swam a 15-kilometer stretch of Poyang Lake, located near his home in Jiangxi Province, finishing two and half hours earlier than he had planned, Yu told the Information Daily.

"Beijing go! Olympics go!" Yu exclaimed as he stepped back onto dry land. A notary officer then announced that Yu was the first Chinese person to swim across the lake.

"It was my dream," Yu said, "I decided to chase my dream ahead of the Olympics to show my support."

Yu has spent his entire life enhancing his floating skills, and is now able to float on freshwater for up to three hours. In 2006, he was invited to perform in Malaysia.

The swimmer didn't forget to utilize this skill in Poyang Lake. An accompanying boat gave him drinks every 30 to 60 minutes which he floated on water to finish. During his swim, he also read newspapers, exercised with a chest expander, and picked up garbage, which he stored on the boat.

"By swimming across the lake, I also wanted to raise environmental awareness," he was quoted as saying.

Yu plans to apply for a Guinness record for his Poyang swim, the Information Daily reported.



Yu Lixin, 37, strives to conquer Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China, on July 23, 2008


Yu Lixin, 37, reads the newspaper during his challenge to swim across Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China, on July 23, 2008.


Yu Lixin (front) swims across Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China, on July 23, 2008.