Mangaluru, July 14 -- For most people, the English Channel is simply the narrow stretch of sea separating England and France. For endurance swimmers, however, it is one of the toughest open-water challenges in the world-often regarded as more demanding than climbing Mount Everest because of its freezing waters, unpredictable tides and unforgiving currents.
On July 3, Mangaluru-based medical oncologist Dr Guruprasad Bhat joined an elite group of swimmers by successfully completing the English Channel relay crossing. What makes the feat even more remarkable is that he learnt swimming only three years ago.
His journey began in an unexpected way. Dr Bhat had enrolled his son in swimming lessons, hoping the child would develop the skill. The s...