15-Year-Old Swims to Viðey Island and Back

The annual Viðey swim, from Skarfaklettur, Reykjavík, to Viðey island, was canceled this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that did not stop 15-year-old Þula Gló Johnsdóttir from doing what she had been practicing for all summer. Last Saturday, she swam to the island and back again in 59 minutes –   a distance of almost 2 km, mbl.is reports. Her father – an experienced swimmer - accompanied her to begin with, but then swam ahead.

She was not alone, though, because a motor boat with her mother on board followed her. Þula has been practicing swimming in the ocean for a year and a half. On top of that, she practices boxing and mixed martial arts.

She started practicing swimming in the ocean with her father, who swims on a regular basis.

“I have two practices a day,” she states, “and then I ride my bike to Nauthólsvík and swim about 500 m in the ocean.”

Last year, she participated in the Viðey swim by swimming one way to the island, along with her older sister.