English Channel
Originally, Croizon estimated the swim at about 24 hours. His father Gerard Croizon attributes the much faster pace to favorable wind conditions and the good luck of three dolphins that swam alongside his son for quite sometime. He set off the British coastline at Folkstone and reached the French coastline in just under 14 hours. Croizon made the swim with the aid of leg prostheses outfitted with flippers.
Nadine Morano, French Minister for Families, was waiting by phone as he landed in France. She hailed his “exemplary courage and sporting performance,” she also cheered his accomplishment he has shown that “it’s possible to overcome your disabilities and have the determination to make your dreams come true.”
During a radio interview, Croizon excitedly told listeners “I did it. I’m so happy. I can’t believe it. It’s crazy,” he also encouraged saying, “I’ve done this for myself, for my family, and for all those who have suffered tragedy and lost their taste for life, [This swim] is a symbol of overcoming your limits.”
Croizon lost his limbs in 1994 after being electrocuted twice; the first electrocution was 20,000 volts of electricity. He was adjusting the antenna for his television when his ladder touched a power line.
Swimming the English Channel is not the only feat Croizon has accomplished. He released a book entitled “J’ai decide de vivre” translated in English as “I decided to live”. Croizon explained in his book the reasons for authoring a book with such emotional attachment “It is my wish to leave a testimony of this event which changed my life and my surroundings, but also to demonstrate that despite the horror, life is beautiful and life goes on.”