Bartłomiej Kubkowski Becomes First to Swim Baltic Sea Nonstop

Polish ultra-swimmer Bartłomiej Kubkowski has made history. In early August 2026 he became the first person to swim nonstop across the Baltic Sea from Sweden to Poland without sleeping or taking a break.

Kubkowski set off from Kåseberga on the Swedish coast and reached the beach at Dziwnów in Poland after covering roughly 160 kilometres. The crossing took about 55 hours. He stayed in the water the entire time, never touching the support boat that followed him for safety. His team passed food and drink to him on a pole.

Fifth Attempt Brings Success

This was his fifth try at the route. Earlier attempts since 2022 had fallen short, with the closest coming in 2025 when he swam 159 kilometres in 53 hours before extreme exhaustion forced him out. This time he pushed through cold water, waves, currents and mounting fatigue.

Reports note that after around 40 hours he began experiencing hallucinations caused by the lack of sleep and physical strain. Still he kept going and walked onto the Polish shore under his own power, a requirement for the swim to count as unassisted.

Charity Impact

Kubkowski dedicated the challenge to the Cancer Fighters foundation, which supports children with cancer. The effort raised more than $250,000 (well over 700,000 Polish zloty) by the time he finished, with donations continuing afterward.

Crowds waited on the beach to cheer him in. Exhausted but successful, the world-record 24-hour pool swimmer had finally conquered one of open-water swimming’s toughest challenges.

Kubkowski’s achievement stands as a remarkable display of endurance, preparation and determination.

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