He Challenged the Vistula: A Pole Attempts to Swim the Entire River Without Stopping for the First Time in History

The swim started on July 18, and the finish is scheduled for August 9. If the athlete manages to complete the route, he will become the first person to swim the largest river in Poland in a single continuous expedition, writes the publication Gdansk. Palubicki is originally from the town of Rumia, but is currently training at the National School of Judges and Prosecutors in Krakow. In the early stages of the route, his safety was ensured by officers from the Małopolska Voivodeship Police. Every day, the traveler spends 10–12 hours in the water. He prepared for the expedition not only physically but also carefully planned the logistics and organization of the support team. In areas where the water level is too low, he has to get out of the water and cover part of the distance on foot. The athlete's progress can be tracked in real-time using GPS, and those interested can join the accompanying relay in kayaks. The main goal of the journey is not a sports record, but to help children with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The expedition is part of the charity campaign #NiePijZaMnie of the Mały Książę foundation, which raises funds for psychological and psychiatric support for foster and adoptive families. The organizers remind that consuming alcohol during pregnancy, even in small amounts, can lead to irreversible developmental disorders in the child. Therefore, the campaign aims not only to raise funds but also to increase public awareness of the consequences of such exposure. For Palubicki, this is not his first extreme challenge. In 2020, he solo kayaked over two thousand kilometers along Poland's largest water route, and three years later, he set a record for navigating the Vistula in a single kayak. For his achievements, he was awarded the title of "Traveler of the Year" by National Geographic. The finish of the charity expedition is expected in Gdańsk on August 9. The organizers hope that by this time, they will not only set a historic record but also raise the necessary funds to help children and their families.