Jon Erikson
Jon Erikson (September 6, 1954 – July 28, 2014) was an American long distance swimmer who was the first of only three people to have ever completed a three way swim of the English Channel. A physical education teacher at the time,[1] he completed the swim in a time of 38 h 27 mins in 1981.[2]
(1st leg - 10 h 10 mins, 2nd leg - 13 h 14 mins, 3rd leg - 15h 103 mins)
The only other individuals to have completed this feat are Philip Rush, Alison Streeter, Chloe McCardel and Sarah Thomas.
Erikson also completed a two way crossing of the English Channel in 1975 in a time of 30 h 00 mins and again in 1979 in a time of 22 h 16 mins.[3] His total number of successful English Channel swims stands at 11, spanning a period from 1969 to 1981.
Erikson died of an infection on July 28, 2014 in Boca Raton.[4] He was 59.
References
- ^ Associated Press (August 14, 1981). "A 3-Way Channel Swim". The New York Times. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
- ^ "Solo Swims from England to France (3 way)". Channel Swimming Association. 1981. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
- ^ "Solo Swims from England to France (2 way)". Channel Swimming Association. 1975–1979. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
- ^ Kates, Joan Giangrasse (August 14, 2014). "Jon Erikson, record-setting English Channel swimmer, 1954-2014". Chicago Tribune.