The President a part of a swimming feat
The presidents partook in the swimming tradition in remembrance of Guðlaugur Friðþjófsson's impressive rescue feat, shen he swam in impossible conditions from sea 6 km to the Westman Islands on this day 40 years ago. Composite image
President of Iceland Guðni Th. Jóhannesson will swim tomorrow in remembrance of Guðlaugur Friðþórsson’s rescue effort, which was made after the boat Hellisey VE went down about 6 km from the shore on 11 March 1984 and Friðþjófsson managed to swim in bad weather and the icy cold sea to shore, and walk over a lava field to the town of Vestmannaeyjar.
About 40 people will swim in the Westman Islands swimming pool and Laugardalslaug in Reykjavik today to remember the achievement.
The so-called Gudlaugssund swim has been going on annually in the Westman Islands since 1985, but since 2005 it has also been celebrated in the capital area, first in the Vesturbæjarlaug swimming pool in the western part of town, in the Seltjarnarnes swimming pool and since 2011 in the Laugardalslaug swimming pool.
“In addition to remembering Guðlaugur’s unique rescue effort, it’s no less done to remember all those who ended their lives in the grip of the sea, and especially the crew on Hellisey,” the announcement states.
The president will begin the swimming at 6.30 am tomorrow in Laugardalslaug, when swimmers will swim 6 km each to honor the memory of Friðþórsson’s unbelievable achievement.
