On August 11, Noam Yaron, a Swiss ultra-endurance swimmer and eco-adventurer, took on an extraordinary challenge: swimming from Calvi to Monaco without exiting the water.
Result? 191 km covered, over 102 hours in the water, and a human and sporting adventure made possible by the energy of an entire team and two Excess catamarans present day and night to support him!
This is a world first: no one has ever swum so far and for so long under these conditions. For nearly five days and four nights. The longest swim in the Mediterranean prior to Noam was 142.3 km in 60h35min, achieved in 2024 by Maltese swimmer Neil Agius.
Noam ate, drank, and even slept in the water thanks to a specially developed hypnosis technique.
A Sporting Feat in Service of Nature
Beyond the performance, the challenge carried an essential message: to raise awareness about the urgency of protecting the Mediterranean, specifically Marine Protected Areas like the Pelagos Sanctuary, the largest Marine Protected Area in the Mediterranean that Noam crossed. Today, less than 0.04% of the Mediterranean is truly protected, while it hosts 10% of global species.
Two Excess at the Heart of the Challenge
This unique crossing would not have been possible without the logistical and human support that accompanied every stroke of Noam's arms:
- An Excess 11, the floating laboratory of the challenge, allowed scientists to observe megafauna and collect environmental DNA, microplastics, and plankton samples throughout the crossing.
- An Excess 14, provided by our partner Blue Wave, Excess dealer in the Mediterranean, which served as the logistical base of the challenge: organizing supplies, security, team management
Thanks to their agility, reliability, and comfort, these two multihulls perfectly embodied the Excess spirit.
A Journey Full of Emotions
The Mediterranean did not spare Noam: waves, cold, endless nights, and hallucinations. But it also offered him moments like his encounter with a baby dolphin during his first nights.
For over four days, the two Excess catamarans were his floating refuge, his beacons in the darkness, and the constant relay of his incredible determination.
A Shared Pride
On August 15, about two kilometers from the coast, Noam emerged from the water after 191 km and 102h24 of non-stop swimming. And his performance is a success: he connected the waters of Corsica to those of Monaco and, through his communication campaign, raised awareness among millions of people about the pressing environmental issues of the Mediterranean Sea. He proved that with passion and courage, nothing is impossible!
At Excess, we are proud to have participated in this unique adventure, alongside Blue Wave, whose support was crucial. Because, like Noam, we believe that daring to push one’s limits can change things.
Thank you, Noam, for your inspiration; thank you, Blue Wave, for your commitment alongside us; and congratulations to the entire team that made the Mediterranean resonate with us!
