What does a person planning to swim across the Gulf of Gdańsk need most? A mentor who – drawing on their own experiences, failures and successes – will guide them through the preparation process and be a source of support during the attempt itself. That kind of mentor is Piotr Biankowski, who over the course of numerous crossings has experienced both the most beautiful and the toughest aspects of open water. Today, he shares this knowledge with female and male swimmers as part of the Baltic Sea Beast project.
On 25 October we will meet Piotr and the Baltic Sea Beast team at POWER RACE vol. 2 – a pool swimming competition in an open-water format!
Who is a “channel swimmer”?
Piotrek, you’re an experienced channel / marathon swimmer.
Thank you very much for such kind words. It’s true, I’ve done a few crossings, so my experience is growing… “Channel swimmer” is a very nice term – I’ll start using it. [smiles]
Your many achievements are an inspiration for lots of swimmers.
Someone inspired me too, and now I’m making my own dreams come true. Sometimes you just need the right impulse. Mentor Bogus – thank you! [laughs] I’m happy that my adventures manage to get some people off the so-called couch. [smiles]
Now you support others in overcoming their weaknesses by organising crossings of the Gulf of Gdańsk. Who decides to take on such a challenge?
These are incredible people and incredible stories – each one different. Some are breaking their own barriers, others are chasing records, or simply want to test themselves. It’s a true struggle with oneself. The art of mastering your weaknesses sets off a real inner journey. These swims are dedicated to charitable causes. Families see the brave swimmers off at the marina and wait for them on the other shore… Beautiful stories!
Why is mentoring in swimming so important?
How important is the support of a specialist like you in preparing for such a challenge, and when should that support start?
Support is a very important element. We should choose good specialists with real experience. Theory and practice have to go hand in hand. First of all, it’s worth getting to know the goals and abilities, and then creating a joint plan – that’s how the preparation period begins.
What role do you play during the swim itself? Do you motivate and push the swimmer to keep going? Or is your main task to make sure they don’t overstrain themselves?
The main task of the entire Baltic Sea Beast team is to ensure the swimmer’s safety during the attempt. Besides that, we act as observers, making sure everything is done according to the rules. I love being part of the support crew – that’s when you can really motivate the swimmer.
The challenge of a lifetime – swimming across the Gulf of Gdańsk
What do people say before the challenge, and what do they say once they’ve made it to the other side? How does their “inner feeling” change after completing such a feat? And how do you change – after your own challenges and after helping swimmers reach their goals?
Before the start, the conversation is mostly about technical aspects of the swim. It’s full focus, waiting to enter the water and begin. After they finish, emotions explode – joy, tears, satisfaction… Euphoria, endorphins!!! The goal has been achieved!!! Awareness of open water swimming grows and new challenges start to be planned. [smiles] I share the joy with the brave swimmers as if I had swum it myself. [smiles]
Piotr Biankowski and Martyna Górajewska – after crossing the Gulf of Gdańsk / Interview with Martyna coming soon!
Piotr Biankowski and Jakub Wierciński – after crossing the Gulf of Gdańsk.
Interview with Jakub coming soon!
Swimming is an adventure
Your recent Beltquerung crossing confirms that open water swimming is your passion, and you already have more challenges planned… Which ones?
Yes, this last crossing showed that even a well-prepared swimmer, without experienced support – Beatka, I love you! [smiles] – might not make it to the finish. Right from the very start there were lots of changes to my planned start – the dates kept being moved. The changeable weather didn’t help; that’s just the charm of this body of water. When the start had been postponed twice, we set off for the starting point, waiting for permission from the harbour master. Then I was swimming, and all the drama was unfolding on board, where the decisions about my swim were being made.
It was thanks to that experience and assessing the weather conditions that I managed to reach the shores of Denmark. I’m a channel swimmer, and ahead of me is the FASTNET SWIM attempt. Ireland is an incredible place to swim! A dreamy departure from Baltimore Marina and arrival at the iconic Fastnet Rock lighthouse. Then heading out into the cold waters of the wild Atlantic and meeting an icon of extreme-condition swimming – Ger Kennedy, who will be my pilot. I can’t wait! I just want to swim already [smiles]
October is full readiness for the Hawaiian Kaiwi Channel – 42 km (26 miles) between Molokai and Oahu, but everything depends on the conditions and the weather window, so we’re basically packed and waiting. (Editor’s note: as of 19 October, among other things, weather conditions prevented the above-mentioned crossings from taking place.)
Then comes recovery and preparations for 2026 – specifically for 1 April, when in New Zealand I will attempt to swim the Cook Strait – 22.5 km (14 miles) between the North Island and South Island of New Zealand. [smiles]
In general, my plans are laid out until 2035. There are so many other great bodies of water to cross… I must really like swimming. [smiles]
And coming up soon are competitions organised by Piotr’s team: Ice Sea Lions and GWSC 2026.
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Interview by: Maciej Mazerant / Managing Editor of AQUA SPEED Magazine
Photos courtesy of Piotr Biankowski / Baltic Sea Beast
