Milenarios, por Juan Carlos Saavedra · Bilenio Actividades Culturales

La hazaña de David Meca

·21 min·2 clips

Swimming in total darkness with black glasses, David Meca began vomiting uncontrollably just hours into his 24-hour challenge.

The episode begins by introducing David Meca's unprecedented 2002 swim between the two Canary Island capitals. Host Juan Carlos Saavedra frames this as a superhuman feat never replicated. Meca, a world champion open-water swimmer, had previously set records like crossing between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. He explains the two-year preparation for the 110-kilometer challenge, despite his longest prior swim being only 8 hours. The Mundo del Silencio Association assisted with logistics and environmental oversight. Meca details the brutal conditions: cold water, 3-meter waves, and especially the terrifying darkness at night. Wearing black glasses to avoid seeing marine life, he experienced severe dizziness and vomiting early on. Doctors considered stopping the swim due to dehydration. Meca describes moments of despair, crying in the water and being unable to lift his arms. His father and team provided constant support from a boat. Near the end, crowds gathered with car lights, giving him the mental strength to continue. After 23 hours and 50 minutes, he reached Las Palmas, where thousands cheered him onshore. Post-swim, he danced on stage with David Cibera despite exhaustion. The episode notes Meca's subsequent retirement after winning a world championship gold medal. He now works as an architect, gives motivational talks, and serves as an ambassador for Nexmotor, promoting environmental awareness. The host concludes by thanking Meca for sharing his story of perseverance.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Milenarios, por Juan Carlos Saavedra