2 Quzhou swimmers cross Qiongzhou Strait

Cai Yihui and Lan Xiongbing from Longyou county, Quzhou, pose for a photo after crossing the Qiongzhou Strait on Nov 12. [Photo/qz123.com]

On Nov 12, Cai Yihui and Lan Xiongbing returned to Quzhou after crossing the Qiongzhou Strait, the "Sea Everest" for swimming enthusiasts.

The Qiongzhou Strait connects Hainan Island and Leizhou Peninsula, with a length of about 80 kilometers from east to west, an average width of 29.5km from north to south, a width of 33.5 km at the widest point, and a maximum depth of 114 meters.

Cai and Lan dived into the water in Xuwen county in Guangdong province on Nov 10 at 6:25 am and emerged in Haikou city, Hainan province at 3:40 pm on the same day, taking nine hours and 15 minutes.

Cai said that they swam a distance over 10 km longer than the straight line distance due to waves and currents.

The crossing was very difficult, as they had to face complex currents, jellyfish, and sunburns.

"Along the way, Lan Xiongbing was stung by jellyfish several times, and our throats were dry from inhaling bitter seawater for a long period of time," said Cai. He recalled that his back was also sunburned due to the strong sunlight in the South China Sea, but they never thought of giving up.

"We did it!" After arriving in Haikou, they pulled up banners with phrases such as "I am from Longyou", which they specially made and brought from Longyou county to Hainan. "We’ve never seen anyone from Longyou crossing before, so we made these banners to let other know our hometown," said Cai with excitement.

For them, this was a test of both endurance and perseverance. "This success taught us that anything is possible if we are determined and work towards our goal," said Cai, hoping that more people will take a liking to sports and nature.