Aysu Turkoglu becomes youngest Turkish swimmer to cross Kaiwi Channel
Open water swimmer Aysu Turkoglu is swimming across the Kaiwi Channel, the fifth leg of the "Oceans 7" challenge, April 28, 2025. (Photo via Instagram/@aysu.turkoglu)
Aysu Turkoglu successfully crossed the Kaiwi Channel, the fifth leg of the prestigious Ocean’s Seven open-water challenge, completing the grueling swim in 21 hours and 7 minutes. With this achievement, she adds another remarkable record to her name as the youngest Turkish swimmer to conquer this demanding stretch of water.
Previously, Turkoglu had successfully swum across iconic and challenging routes such as the English Channel, North Channel, Cook Strait, and Catalina Channel.
On Sunday, Turkoglu started her Kaiwi swim at 5:30 p.m. and reached the finish line after enduring 21 hours of battling strong currents and waves.
45 kilometers of fierce ocean currents
The Kaiwi Channel, located between the Hawaiian Islands, stretches approximately 45 kilometers. However, due to powerful currents, swimmers often end up covering more than 50 kilometers during their crossing. Despite the harsh conditions, Turkoglu fearlessly took on the challenge and completed it with extraordinary determination.
Eyes on Guinness World Record
Turkoglu aims to become the fastest person to complete all seven stages of the Ocean’s Seven challenge within five years, a feat that would earn her a Guinness World Record. Having already conquered five of the world’s most formidable open-water swims, she is edging closer to this dream.
Who is Aysu Turkoglu?
Aysu Turkoglu is an ultra-marathon swimmer who started swimming at the age of 7. By the age of 14, she shifted her focus to open-water swimming, shaping her career in this demanding field.
She rose to prominence by becoming the youngest Turkish swimmer to cross the English Channel. Turkoglu also made history in New Zealand’s Cook Strait, becoming the youngest female swimmer to cross it and setting a record as the fastest Turkish woman to do so.
Born in Bodrum in 2001, Turkoglu graduated from Bodrum Fen Bilimleri High School in 2019 and continued her education at Ege University’s Faculty of Sport Sciences, specializing in Coaching.
As of 2025, she is 24 years old and continues to inspire with her perseverance and athletic achievements.
A career built on courage and endurance
Turkoglu’s international journey began when she participated in the prestigious Aquamasters swimming competition, winning first place in the women’s category over a 6-kilometer course.
In July 2022, she became the youngest Turkish swimmer to cross the English Channel, solidifying her place in Turkish sporting history. She later added another historic achievement by crossing the North Channel between Northern Ireland and Scotland, becoming the first Turkish woman and the youngest Turkish swimmer to accomplish this.
In 2024, she continued to break records by crossing New Zealand’s Cook Strait in seven hours and 21 minutes.
Defying the waves in Kaiwi Channel
Facing powerful currents and high waves, Turkoglu swam an estimated 65 kilometers to complete the Kaiwi Channel. After an arduous 21-hour journey, she finally stepped onto land, proudly raising the Turkish flag in a moment filled with emotion and national pride.
Turkoglu’s latest triumph adds momentum to her extraordinary journey toward becoming one of the few in history to complete the Ocean’s Seven challenge—a testament to her unyielding spirit and dedication.
