80-Year-Old Swimmer Makes History in Lanzarote’s La Bocaina
Lanzarote has witnessed another remarkable sporting achievement after an 80-year-old swimmer completed a challenging open-water crossing between the island and Isla de Lobos.
Basque swimmer Txaro Tomasena has completed the La Bocaina crossing alone, swimming from the Papagayo area in southern Lanzarote to Punta Palo on Isla de Lobos. The demanding Atlantic swim took 5 hours, 46 minutes and 18 seconds.
The achievement has been reported as a new age-related Guinness record, making it another extraordinary chapter in the sporting career of a woman who has continued to take on increasingly ambitious challenges later in life.
A remarkable Lanzarote swimming challenge
Tomasena entered the water from the Papagayo area early on Monday, 5 October, for what was originally intended to be a swim towards Corralejo in Fuerteventura.
However, conditions in the Strait of La Bocaina meant that the planned route had to be changed. Strong and complicated sea currents affected the crossing, and the finish was redirected towards Isla de Lobos to keep the swimmer away from the main ferry navigation area.
In total, the route covered approximately 10.5 kilometres, although the actual distance travelled by an open-water swimmer can be affected considerably by currents.
After almost six hours in the Atlantic, Tomasena reached Punta Palo on Isla de Lobos, completing the challenge without using a boat or another swimmer for physical assistance.
The crossing was officially supervised by a referee from the Royal Spanish Swimming Federation, helping to verify the details of the attempt.
From late starter to record-breaking swimmer
Perhaps the most remarkable part of Txaro Tomasena's story is that long-distance swimming was not something she had been doing since childhood.
Around 15 years ago, she was still far from being the accomplished open-water swimmer she is today. Since then, she has developed into a highly competitive masters athlete, taking part in Spanish, European and world-level events.
She also took up cycling at the age of 69 because she wanted to compete in triathlons, showing just how far her sporting ambitions have developed.
Her achievements have included success at the World Masters Games in Taiwan and a previous record-breaking open-water challenge in the Strait of Gibraltar.
In 2023, at the age of 77, Tomasena became the oldest woman to complete the swim across the Strait of Gibraltar, covering around 16.1 kilometres between Spain and Morocco in approximately six hours and 23 minutes.
Lanzarote played an important part in her latest challenge
Tomasena's connection with Lanzarote appears to go beyond simply choosing the island as the starting point for another sporting challenge.
She had previously spent time in Lanzarote while preparing for her La Bocaina objective and developed a particular connection with the stretch of Atlantic separating Lanzarote, Lobos and Fuerteventura.
La Bocaina is well known among open-water swimmers. The waters between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura can look deceptively calm, but currents, wind, swell and shipping routes can make a long-distance swim extremely demanding.
The traditional La Bocaina swimming challenge is associated with the route between Playa Blanca and Corralejo, covering roughly 15 kilometres. Tomasena's latest crossing was a different challenge, with the finish moved to Lobos because of the prevailing conditions and the need to avoid the ferry route.
An inspiring story for Lanzarote visitors and residents
For people living in Lanzarote, Tomasena's achievement is a reminder that the island is much more than a holiday destination.
Lanzarote is internationally known for its volcanic landscapes, beaches, cycling routes, triathlon events and water sports. Its Atlantic location and year-round mild climate have also made it a popular destination for endurance athletes looking for somewhere to train.
For visitors, the story is another fascinating example of the extraordinary things that happen in the waters surrounding the Canary Islands.
It is also a powerful reminder that age does not necessarily have to put an end to sporting ambition.
At 80, Tomasena has completed a gruelling open-water swim that would be a major challenge for a much younger athlete. Her journey from relatively little swimming experience to becoming a record-setting masters competitor is arguably just as impressive as the crossing itself.
Lanzarote, Isla de Lobos and the Atlantic
The waters around Lanzarote can be spectacular, but they should never be underestimated. The same currents that can challenge an experienced long-distance swimmer can create serious risks for anyone attempting an unsupported open-water swim.
For tourists visiting Lanzarote, swimming between islands is not a casual activity and should only ever be attempted as part of a properly organised, professionally supported challenge with suitable knowledge of local sea conditions, currents and navigation.
For everyone else, the waters around Papagayo, Playa Blanca, Lobos and the neighbouring islands are best enjoyed safely from the shore, on authorised boat trips, or through properly organised water-sports activities.
One thing is certain: Txaro Tomasena has once again put Lanzarote and La Bocaina firmly on the open-water swimming map.
An AI Generated Image has been used in this Article.
