Sophia Michaels
Dare Samuel Akinrodoye, a swimming instructor, has purportedly achieved an astonishing feat by swimming a remarkable 11.8-kilometre stretch of water near the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
Akinrodoye, better known as Coach Dreh started swimming from Oworonshoki, Mainland, and finished at Adeniji Adele on Lagos Island.
The feat was done to raise awareness of mental health and it was supported by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
Akinrodoye announced his intention on Instagram to swim the 11.8 km length of the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge on March 30, 2024.
In a viral video, he disclosed that it was to raise awareness and sensitise people to the issues of mental health, suicide and depression.
Dare Samuel, a professional swimming coach, embarked on an extraordinary journey today by swimming across the Third Mainland Bridge from Oworoshoki to Adeniji Island, covering a distance of 11.8km in 2 hours and 33 minutes.
Follow us to stay connected @LagosJunction @Mr_JAGs pic.twitter.com/P6UFrPkvZZ— Lagos Junction (@LagosJunction) March 30, 2024
He said: “On the 30th of March, 2024, I am going to be swimming the entire length of the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge to raise awareness and sensitise the public on mental health, suicide and depression.
“It is an 11.8 km swim from Mainland Oworoshoki to Island Adeniji Adele. My years of experience in the aquatic premise is over a decade and swimming for me, I can do anything and become anything I want with it.”
According to him, his choice of location for the event was because many individuals who committed suicide publicly in Lagos jumped off the Third Mainland Bridge.
However, on Saturday morning, the professional swimming coach embarked on the task from Oworonshoki, Mainland, to Adeniji Adenle on the Island.
Coach Dreh was accompanied by his close teammates, supporters, journalists, and medical personnel.
Coach Dreh jumped into the water at around 9:28 am and swam for 2 hours, 33 minutes at a stretch, to complete the journey.
