Mysurean Madhu Nagaraja swims across Strait of Magellan

Canada: Madhu Nagaraja, a resident of Oakville in Canada and a native of Mysuru, became the first Canadian to swim across the treacherous Strait of Magellan. Madhu Nagaraja completed the 3.9 km swim on Nov. 29 becoming the 23rd person on the planet to accomplish this feat. To put that in perspective, 536 people have been to outer space. The strait, which is located near the southern tip of South America, is a passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is known for its frigid waters, 180 knot winds, 20-foot seas, ripping currents and whirlpools. Nagaraja first attempted the crossing in 2015 and after two hours was pulled from the water with life-threatening hypothermia. The 47-year-old was humble in his victory thanking his team and supporters. Nagaraja said he learned to swim as a child in his hometown of Mysuru. Madhu, an alumnus of Marimallappa High School in Mysuru, said that in 2003 he began open water swimming in San Francisco and one year later successfully swam across the English Channel. In 2012 he swam across Lake Ontario.