Moroccan endurance athlete and open water swimmer Ichem Zaher has set a new African record by swimming for 25 hours and 38 minutes in the Atlantic Ocean between Dakar and Gorée Island – a famous crossing along the coast of West Africa.
He is now the first African in history to complete Enduroman and swim more than 24 hours without the help of a wetsuit or other support at one of Africa’s most renowned open water sport events.
The Dakar-Gorée crossing event has been held every year since 1985 and typically attracts many hundreds of swimmers to swim the 5 km race. Zaher turned the crossing swim into an athletic endurance milestone, but also one that was combined with a humanitarian and historic intention.
Zaher was part of a fundraising project to collect money for Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque, an organization for children with congenital heart defects.
The journey started on September 27 at Dakar’s lagoon. Zaher faced challenges including the strong currents and heavy swells while battling sleep deprivation. Four of the six kayakers he was supposed to have with him became seasick, leaving only two to escort him. Nonetheless, he continued onward until he reached Gorée.
In the last 4km, his 12-year-old son Adam joined him in the water to accompany him to the finish. “Swimming alongside my son, to save other children, gives this challenge an even more powerful dimension,” said Zaher.
The record adds to Zaher’s long list of endurance challenges. He has completed over 20 marathons, a dozen Ironman triathlons, three editions of the Marathon des Sables, and the Enduroman triathlon from London to Paris, where he swam 48 km in 2024.
However, he insists his effort is not a matter of records. “I am not seeking glory. My only goal is to transform effort into hope.”
His swim comes as Moroccan athletes are making a name for themselves in international open water competitions. In August 2025, Hassan Baraka was the first Moroccan to swim the 48.5km “20 Bridges Swim” around Manhattan.
