Quadruple Amputee Connects Five Continents With Four Swims

ANCHORAGE, AK--(Marketwire - Aug 20, 2012) - Quadruple amputee Philippe Croizon and able bodied swimmer Arnaud Chassery have completed their international challenge, connecting five continents with four swims. The duo started their adventure in May 2012 and just completed the last portion, connecting America to Asia, braving frigid temperatures to cross the Bering Strait.

After losing his limbs in an electrical accident in 1994, Philippe Croizon made the courageous decision to overcome his new set of challenges and embrace life. Internationally recognized as the first quadruple amputee to cross the English Channel (in 2010), Croizon is an inspiration for both able-bodied people and those with disabilities.

A seasoned athlete, Arnaud Chassery also swam the English Channel, as well as the Strait of Gibraltar, nearly setting the record in France for the longest swim. His thirst for adventure led him to join forces with Croizon in the Swimming Beyond Borders initiative.

United in their desire to spread messages of courage, equal opportunity and international solidarity, Croizon and Chassery completed four swims in four months, connecting five continents:

• Oceania to Asia (Papua New Guinea to Indonesia)
• Africa to Asia (Jordan to Egypt)
• Africa to Europe (Strait of Gibraltar)
• America to Asia (Bering Strait)

In total, the pair covered almost 53 miles, swimming a total of 45 hours. From the warm waters of the Red Sea to the bitter waves and cold water in the Bering Strait, the two athletes were forced to contend with a variety of environmental conditions while completing this project. Their determination and perseverance kept them motivated.

"Through this achievement, I want the values of disability to be heard loud and clear: courage, vision, and the will to live. I want everyone to see that a person with a disability is first a foremost a person," confides Croizon.

"Everyone has to surpass themselves in their own way, with their own means. You need to know how to listen to your heart; the energy that resides there is common to all humans," explains Chassery.

About Philippe Croizon:
After losing his limbs in an electrical accident in 1994, Philippe Croizon was overcome by his disability. While in the hospital recovering from the accident, Croizon experienced yet another life changing moment when he saw a documentary describing a female athlete who crossed the English Channel. At that moment, Croizon made the ambitious decision that he, too, would swim across the English Channel.

Now, an accomplished athlete who has crossed the English Channel, as well as completed four intercontinental swims during the 'Swimming Beyond Borders' project, Croizon is also the author of 'J'ai décidé de vivre' (I Decided to Live) and 'J'ai traversé la Manche a la nage' (I Swam Across the English Channel).

For more information, please contact the press department.

Documents and/or Photos available for this release:

Press kit
Philippe and Arnaud
Philippe swimming
Philippe Bering Strait

To view supporting documents and/or photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 335896