Facing His Fears: Local Man Conquers Trucking Long-Distance Swims
Snohomish resident Lars Durban conquered the ultimate open water challenge last September: successfully swimming across the English Channel.
“I got really lucky on the conditions,” Durban said.
He started near Dover and swam a little over 21 miles to the coast of France south of Calais. The temperature of the water was around 63 degrees. An observer in a pilot boat accompanied Durban to ensure he completed the journey without assistance.
His accomplishment marked the culmination of years of dedication that earned him the Triple Crown award by the World Open Water Swimming Association. The prestigious recognition is bestowed upon swimmers who have tackled three of the most challenging long-distance swims: the English Channel, around Manhattan Island, and the Catalina Channel.
More than 366 people have achieved the Triple Crown since 1987, including Durban.
Durban, now retired, completed these grueling swims amidst a busy life. He swam the Catalina Channel in August 2021, clocking in at 13 hours and 55 minutes and around Manhattan Island in July 2022 in 7 hours and 43 minutes.
At 68, Durban says he is the third oldest swimmer to earn the Triple Crown. His younger years found him on the high school swim team in upstate New York.
“It’s good to train in bumpy conditions.”
His passion was inherited. His older brother Eric has also completed the long-distance circuit, achieving the Triple Crown in 2023 at the age 70, making him the second oldest to achieve this feat.
Prior to completing the Triple Crown swims, Durban navigated other remarkable swims, including the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain to Morocco in 2016.
David trained himself extensively for the Channel Swim by swimming approximately 600 miles, a significant portion of that in open water. “It’s good to train in bumpy conditions,” he said, appreciating the views and sunny skies that come along with swimming in open water.
Durban also trains indoors at the Snohomish Aquatic Center. After getting started with the assistance of a coach, he has benefited from the structure and camaraderie of pool swimming.
His training partners are critical to his success. “My swimming friends hold me accountable,” Durban say
He first connected with fellow swimmer Stephen Jones when Jones moved to Snohomish in 2019. They found each other at the Aquatic Center.
“It goes both ways because it helps all of us,” remarked Jones, who has been swimming for almost 50 years. “For me it’s kind of like being on a swim team without any meets.” No one else in the group, Jones pointed out, even considered undertaking such intense swims.
Jones understands the dedication it takes.
“Everything must go right,” Jones added, reflecting on the significance of such a massive undertaking. He continues, “It’s not about how fast, but the mental part of such a [swim], because if something goes wrong you’i are now swimming at night.”
Durban, not one to rest on his laurels, is already planning his next adventure.
In March, he’ll be part of a group swimming in the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador.
Later that year, in September, Durban and his brother plan to organize the Mount St. Helens Classic. It’s a series of four swims held in four days in the lakes surrounding Mount St. Helens
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October 26, 2023
What advice does Lars Durban give to someone considering the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming?
## Interview with Lars Durban, Local Triple Crown Swimmer
**Interviewer:** Lars, congratulations on completing the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming! That’s an incredible achievement. Can you tell us a little bit about what inspired you to take on this challenge?
**Lars Durban:** Well, thank you! It’s been a long journey, that’s for sure. I’ve always loved swimming. I was on the high school swim team back in New York, and I guess that passion never really left me. My older brother Eric is a big inspiration too. He completed his Triple Crown last year, so I wanted to join him in that exclusive club.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned your brother, Eric. It’s amazing that both of you have achieved this feat, especially at your ages! You’re now the third oldest person to finish the Triple Crown, right?
**Lars:** That’s right, Eric is actually the second oldest at 70. It just goes to show that age is really just a number.
**Interviewer:** Your recent swim across the English Channel sounds particularly challenging. Can you tell us about that experience?
**Lars:** It was certainly an adventure! The water was about 63 degrees, which is pretty chilly, but I got lucky with the conditions. It was a relatively calm day, which definitely helped.
**Interviewer:** All three swims in the Triple Crown are incredibly demanding. Can you tell us a little bit about your training regimen for these long-distance swims?
**Lars:** It’s a lot of swimming, of course! I try to train in a variety of conditions, including open water, because it’s good to be prepared for anything. You need endurance, mental fortitude, and a whole lot of determination.
**Interviewer:** What advice would you give to someone who’s considering taking on a challenge like this?
**Lars:** Just go for it! Don’t let fear hold you back. If you have a dream, chase it. It’s never too late to start.
**Interviewer:** That’s fantastic advice, Lars. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
**Lars:** It was my pleasure. [[1](https://www.openwaterpedia.com/wiki/Triple_Crown_of_Open_Water_Swimming)]