Iron Man will swim through the Baltic

Get up from the chair

According to the profession, M. Valkevičius is an animator who is making cartoons.

He directed the most popular Lithuanian cartoon « Kakė Makė: My Movie » and became the first Lithuanian to have the animated work – The Perfect Fit – was included in the Disney+platform.

It is now making a new cartoon « Failed House ».

« My job is basically sedentary. Naturally, the desire to move. ‘I’m moving’ 12-13 years ago when a friend offered to take part in a 5km running race. And even though I never run in my life, I tried and hooked. I really liked it, then I tried the 10 km distance, and I liked it too. Then there was a half -marathon, I finally beat another marathon and became boring for me, then I decided that I had to take part in an ultramarathon – 100 km in running competitions, ”Meinard said.

According to M. Valkevičius, he felt that the challenges were still too few, and in his life a triathlon – a bicycle, running and swimming.

Ironman’s challenges were not enough

After overcoming the Olympic distances, Meinard resorted to the challenge of Ironman, which he also overcome more than once.

« Then I thought what I did here? I decided to swim Neris from Vilnius to Kaunas. injured, ”Meinard noted.

Therefore, while swimming in Nerimi, a buddy Evaldas, who whistled a swimmer about the obstacle in the front, was ahead of M. Valkevičius’ kayak in the front.

If one whisper once, the swimmer would have to swim left, if the two turned to the right, bypassing the obstacle in the front.

We will sail from Sweden, there will be Lithuania at the forefront, and I think it will be very motivated.

Meinard admitted that swimming Neris was very difficult precisely because of the cold water, he had to take medication while swimming because he did not want to stop swimming.

Thus, almost three years ago, M. Valkevičius sailed 170 km on the Neris River – from Vilnius to Kaunas within 4 days.

According to Meinard, the swimmer needs the same amount of strength and energy as a swimmer to run 75 km for a runner.

« Swimming is a slow and quite hard physical work if you can say so, » the extreme said.

Trying: A few years ago, M. Valkevičius sailed 170 km on the Neris River – from Vilnius to Kaunas within 4 days. / Photo by M. Valkevičius Personal Archive

Competition to the Lamanh

The idea of ​​swimming through the Baltic M. Valkevičius came when it failed to implement the idea of ​​crossing the Lamano Strait.

Oh, it turns out there are a lot of such enthusiasts, and you need to get in line to cross the Laman.

It would have been 35 km to swim. There swimmers are accompanied by ships whose captains must have special licenses to accompany swimmers.

For the swimmers themselves, it costs tens of thousands of euros to get permission to swim through the Laman.

Swimmers are unable to prepare for thermalies, cannot stop rest, cannot even touch the ship’s side, have to cross the route in one go.

Only such strict requirements have shifted fewer people than climbing Everest.

The distance is very difficult due to the volume of ships, current and cold water.

« Just to get a ticket for swimming through the Lamanon, I have to wait another three years. There is a lot of competition, a lot of people want to overcome this route. It is a very complex route both logistically and financially. But this is the dream of every swimmer. suicide, but only for those who are not swimmers.

Triathlonist: After trying the running Marton, M. Valkevičius decided it was worth trying swimming and cycling. / Photo by M. Valkevičius Personal Archive

Plan – to cross the sea

« Last summer, I decided to fulfill one of my dreams, as I said, » to cross the Baltic Sea. For many years it seemed unrealistic to me. But I want to make it impossible to become possible. I plan to do it this summer, in the second half of July or the first half of August.

The swimmer is determined to leave the mainland of Sweden and arrive at the Klaipėda continental, without resting on the islands.

« A ship will be floating next to the swimming, because the Baltic Sea is unpredictable naturally, and ship traffic is heavy there.

Not only will the swimmer with a crew of 5-6 people, but also a kayak will be sailed if you need emergency care.

Meinard plans to rest and sleep on board. It has not yet planned to rest every hour or every two 5 to 10 minutes to eat or do a massage if necessary.

« The plan is to cross the Baltic Sea, which means that if I stop or sleep on board, I will start swimming from where I finished swimming, » Meinard said.

Comparison: According to M. Valkevičius, a 15 km athlete needs as much physical strength and energy as to run 75 km. / Photo by M. Valkevičius Personal Archive

« I won’t be alone »

Speaking about the expected dangers, the swimmer was pleased that there were no sharks in the Baltic Sea, at least not yet.

The greatest evil is cold water, and in the summer the Baltic warms up to 17 degrees.

« The water temperature is quite low even in the summer, but I will swim with a triathlon suit that will protect me, I intend to swim with special socks, a hat, gloves. I will dress in the way people swim in the open waters, » the swimmer said.

In preparation for the challenge of the Baltic, Meinard interacted with Paulius, the son of a single traveler Gintaras Paulionis (1945-1994).

This swimming through the Baltics will be a symbolic act where the water seems to connect not only the seafront but also states, people and cultures.

G. Paulionis overcame the Baltic Sea by a Irchine boat himself and killed home by returning home near the Lithuanian coast.

« He was completely alone at sea. I will not swim alone, there will be a ship with a team, including a doctor. Everything will be set to maximize my safety. If there is any emergency, I will climb a ship and swim home. By the way, if the wave is greater than one meter, I will have to stop swimming and wait for Meinard.

Meinard is determined to cover the longest distance of open waters in the history of Lithuania.

Therefore, he said he was responsible and sports in the pool since last summer.

« The sea and the pool, of course, different things. The bottom of the pool is always the same, and as the open waters swim more joy. The Baltic Sea, of course, will not be seen by vegetation and fish, but increasingly interesting than the pool, » the extreme smiled.

Creator: According to the profession, M. Valkevičius is an animator making cartoons, and swimming, running or cycling is like a counterweight to his creative work. / Photo by M. Valkevičius Personal Archive

About the limits of opportunities

What are the limits of human possibilities? Meinard says it’s a matter of attitude.

« Sport really inspires you. Gives me strength and energy. I am jokingly asking me what I consume that I look so happy. After work in the office, I come home, the distance passes, my thoughts recover, the mind cleans, » Valkevičius assured.

For long hours in water, not only physical but also psychological endurance requires every day.

However, it is not the pursuit of records – it is a trip with yourself, with waves, cold and uncertainty.

« What thoughts go in my head when I run, bike or swim? It all depends on whether it’s a race or training. During the competition I only count seconds and there’s no time for other thoughts. During my workouts I listen to audiobooks because swimming for 6-7 hours is boring. Also, while reading or listening to audiobooks, I find ideas for my animation, ”Meinard said.

This swimming through the Baltics will be a symbolic act where the water seems to connect not only the seafront but also states, people and cultures.