A Nigerian, Akinrodoye ‘Dreh’ Dare, completed a two-hour 33-minute non-stop swim across the Lagos Lagoon, the body of water underneath Africa’s second-longest bridge, the Third Mainland Bridge.
Dreh, a swim coach, entered the spotlight on Sunday, March 31, by swimming the entire 11.8km length of the infamous Third Mainland Bridge to raise awareness for suicide.
Dare, who is the CEO of Ocean28 Academy said that the superhuman exercise was directed at spotlighting the concerning trend of past suicide attempts on the bridge.
He dove into the water at 9.28am, but not before announcing the challenge to his 3000 Instagram followers.
He had a demo swim on March 30, and before that, on January 21, he had swum across the famous Landmark Beach, Lagos, to test his resilience and skill.
His Instagram post read: “In a world where mental health struggles can feel isolating, we offer hope, extend a helping hand, and show that no one is alone in their battles with mental health and suicidal thoughts.”
Coach Dreh’s extraordinary swimming adventure started in Oworonshoki on Lagos Mainland and finished at Adeniji Adele on Lagos Island.
The video, which captured his journey, has taken the internet by storm.
In the captivating footage, Dreh, the first Nigerian to make this attempt, was seen accompanied by his teammates, supporters, the media, and essential medical personnel.
It was truly astonishing that Dreh chose not to wear a life jacket, highlighting his remarkable expertise and skill as he swam through waters ranging from 36 to 54 m deep.
He navigated the Lagos Lagoon, which feeds into the Atlantic Ocean via Lagos Harbour, a vital channel that spans 0.5 to 1 km in width and stretches 10 km through the city’s heart.
After completing his grueling swim, he was provided with a floater.
An exhausted Dreh was safely pulled from the water and given immediate medical attention to recover his strength.
In a video shared by MeetPrinceAhmad on X, Dreh articulated his commitment to the cause.
“I am going to be swimming the entire length of the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge to raise awareness and sensitise the public on mental health, suicide, and depression.
“It is 11.8 kilometers from the Mainland, Oworonshoki, to the Island of Adeniji Adenle. My years of experience in the aquatic realm is over a decade. And swimming for me, I can do anything and become anything I want to do with it,” Dreh said.
The swimming enthusiast stressed the importance of seeking help when dealing with mental health issues.
“Mental health is a course that I am passionate about. Life can be insensitive, and I think it is okay to ask for help. Your life can stay positive with a twinkle of an eye. Stay alive to witness it,” he said.
Coach Dreh also shared that he has had to deal with mental health in the past.
“Swimming was a lifeline for me during my battles with mental health,” he revealed.
“It gave me a sense of purpose and helped me find the strength to overcome my challenges. I want to share that message of hope and resilience with others.”
(Premium Times NG)
