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Carlos Vinuesa, centre, with little Alexis and swimmers from Estepona Nautical Club.
'If someone needs me to do something crazy, I'll be there'
ESTEPONA

'If someone needs me to do something crazy, I'll be there'

Carlos Vinuesa swam over 33 kilometres from La Línea to Estepona to raise money for worthy causes, and says he would do it all over again if needed

JOSÉ MARÍA MARTÍN

Friday, 11 June 2021, 10:46

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It was just past 7.30pm last Saturday and about 500 people were waiting expectantly at the Club Náutico in Estepona Port with their eyes fixed on the horizon, when two boats came into view. They were escorting Carlos Vinuesa, who had been swimming more than 33 kilometres in the sea for 12 hours to raise funds for several worthy causes.

Anyone who was there at the moment he arrived in the port will remember it for a long time. The salt water of the Mediterranean began to mix with the emotional tears shed by relatives and friends and those of Carlos himself as they hugged him. He was quite overcome at having completed the challeng and raised his arms to the sky in triumph.

As soon as he reached dry land he was hugged by his mother, Isabel, then his partner Raquel, their daughter María and other relatives. They were so emotional, after being in a state of nerves all day, that they couldn't stop the tears of joy that he had completed something which, apart from its charitable purpose, Carlos also saw as a tribute to his father, also named Carlos, who had been closely involved in sport in Estepona and La Línea, and who was taken before his time.

When he came out of the sea he was applauded by all those who had wanted to witness his achievement, which will provide help for five organisations or families who need it, one in each of the five municipalities he had passed while swimming: La Línea, San Roque, Manilva, Casares and Estepona.

One of those waiting excitedly for his arrival was Alexis, a boy from Estepona who, thanks to the money Carlos has raised, will be able to have a dog which is trained to detect and prevent the epileptic fits which oblige his parents to take turns to watch over him at night, which is when his problems seem to be at their worst. "His mother says I am like a guardian angel for the family," says Carlos, with tears in his eyes.

It took a long time and a great deal of effort to prepare for this challenge, but this intrepid swimmer says he will do it again if a new opportunity arises. "It has been very satisfying. I don't want to say I am already thinking of the next one, but in time if someone needs me to do something crazy like this, I'll be there for them," he says.

No physical problems

While resting and still taking in what he had done, Carlos could only say that the experience had been extremely positive. "The organisers and everyone involved have been excellent. Personally, I feel great, just a slight pain in the shoulder," he says

With a spectacular rhythm of 17 minutes per 1,000 metres, he completed the challenge in 12 hours, faster than expected. Only a couple of currents in the opposite direction caused a bit of difficulty. He stopped every half an hour to rinse his mouth with drinking water and ingest a few centilitres of isotonic liquids.

He said he had so many people to thank that he couldn't mention them all personally, but he was truly grateful. "Their assistance was essential, especially from a psychological point of view. I couldn't have done it alone," he said.

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