Jiya Rai, 16-Year-Old with Autism, Swims Across the English Channel
Jiya Rai, a 16-year-old girl with autism spectrum disorder, has successfully swum across the English Channel. She covered a distance of 34 km in 17 hours and 25 minutes, making her the youngest and fastest para swimmer in the world to achieve this feat in solo swimming.
Jiya, the daughter of Madan Rai, MC-at-Arms II, Indian Navy, began her swim on July 28 at Abbotts Cliff, England, and finished at Pte De La Courte-Dune, France, in the early hours of July 29. She dedicated her swim to autism awareness, and the English Channel Sea Swimming from July 21 to 28 was also dedicated to this cause.
The English Channel is notorious for its treacherous currents, cold water temperatures of around 18°C in July, and hazards like jellyfish and debris. It is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, with over 600 vessels crossing daily. Weather conditions can change abruptly, making it difficult to plan the swim in advance.
According to the Channel Swimming Association rules, swimmers cannot leave the water or touch the pilot boat or anyone accompanying them. Food and liquids are handed over by the boat crew using a long stick. More people have scaled Mount Everest than have swum across the English Channel, with only about 1,700 people achieving this in the last 100 years.
Doubts Revealed
Jiya Rai -: Jiya Rai is a 16-year-old girl from India who has autism and recently swam across the English Channel.
Autism -: Autism is a condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and interacts with others. People with autism may have trouble talking and understanding social cues.
English Channel -: The English Channel is a body of water that separates England and France. It is known for being very cold and having strong currents.
34 km -: 34 km is a distance of 34 kilometers, which is about the same as 21 miles. It’s a long way to swim!
Para swimmer -: A para swimmer is a swimmer who has a physical or intellectual disability. They compete in special events like the Paralympics.
Abbotts Cliff -: Abbotts Cliff is a place in England where Jiya started her swim across the English Channel.
Pte De La Courte-Dune -: Pte De La Courte-Dune is a place in France where Jiya finished her swim across the English Channel.
Autism awareness -: Autism awareness means helping people understand what autism is and how it affects those who have it. Jiya dedicated her swim to this cause.
Treacherous currents -: Treacherous currents are strong and dangerous water movements that can make swimming very difficult and risky.
Busy shipping lanes -: Busy shipping lanes are areas in the water where many big ships travel. Swimming in these areas can be dangerous because of the heavy boat traffic.
