IDBI Bank Allies with the Indian Air Force for Channel Swimmathon as a Part of IAF’s 82nd Anniversary Celebration

Indian Air force channel swimming team ‘Delphinus’, successfully completed the extreme endurance Swimmathon, the longest open water swim in Asia. IDBI Bank was associated with the IAF Swimmathon as part of its initiative to promote and popularize the sport of open water swim in India.

The Swimmathon commenced from the Gateway of India, Mumbai on October 28^th at 14:30 hrs and culminated at same place on October 30^th at 1600 hrs involving around 50 hours swim clockwise around Mumbai. The swimmathon was extremely challenging as the sea conditions were rough and swim was against current, besides other challenges of marine life like jelly fish and a very high level of water pollution.

Six swimmers of team ‘Delphinus’- The Indian Air force Channel swimming team were led by Wg Cdr Paramvir Singh. Two independent observers from the MSAAA (Maharashtra State Amateur Aquatic Association) were on board an escort boat to observe and ratify the swimming record.

On successful completion of the swim, the team has set the following records:

• Longest open water swim in Asia.

• First ever swim around Mumbai in clockwise direction.

• Longest swim ever in Arabian Sea.

• Longest swim ever by any Armed Forces in the World.

The CMD of IDBI Bank, Shri M.S. Raghavan, was present to receive the team, on completion of the feat and felicitated them. Speaking on this event, Shri M. S. Raghavan, Chairman & Managing Director, IDBI Bank stated, “It’s a pleasure to be associated with the Indian Air Force in its record setting endeavour in adventure sports and promote Channel Swim in India”.