Dubai coach aims for world record-setting 13km swim in leg irons and handcuffs

A daring Dubai resident is able to make waves as soon as once more – by finishing a world file 13km swim clapped in leg irons and handcuffs.

Shehab Allam – described because the emirate’s merman – beforehand set a worldwide greatest when he swam 11km in handcuffs at Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah final November.

Now Mr Allam, a swimming teacher and private coach from Egypt, is elevating the stakes for his newest gruelling problem.

He’ll dive into the waters of the Arabian Gulf at Dubai Islands on November 26, with shackles on and sights set on extra historical past.

Mr Allam is hoping to smash the present Guinness World Document of 10km set in 2020 by the aptly named Indian swimmer, Dolphin Ratheesh, from Karunagappally, Kerala.

Regardless of his expertise in endurance swimming occasions, he expects this newest effort to pose some distinctive challenges.

“For the primary swim, I used to be completely relying on my legs for propulsion,” Mr Allam stated.

“However I had an opportunity to alter a bunch of muscle mass whereas swimming.

“Generally, even after I swam on my again, it was a lot simpler as a result of I might simply transfer my legs freely.

“Now I shall be relying solely on the dolphin kick, even after I must cease and take a relaxation.

“This time, having leg irons on, it will be much more difficult, however I’m prepared.”

Conquering Dubai Canal

The 32-year-old was additionally the primary man to swim the 25km size of Dubai Canal in 2020, and hopes to set his newest distance file in about 9 hours.

Mr Allam has been coaching day-after-day this yr, generally as much as 4 hours within the water at a time – and coaching at night time in the course of the warmth of summer season.

In the course of the file problem, he shall be supported by Dubai Police and Nakheel, the builders that handle Dubai Islands, who will monitor his progress and guarantee he’s secure within the water.

“I am all the time energetic after each occasion I do, however I began an intense coaching programme two months in the past as soon as I had the permissions for this problem,” he stated.

“It is vitally troublesome working solely on one group of muscle, so for certain it will be gradual.

“It was solely when I discovered swimming that I found who I used to be and what I used to be meant to do.

“Now I couldn’t be anything however a swimmer.”