For several years, Maher El-Tabchy and Eric Robertsen, who reside in Dubai, have been passionate endurance swimmers.
Last month, the two friends united and swam 29 kilometers from The World Islands to the beaches of Dubai.
While they did not specifically intend to set any records, the charity work that both of them shared regarding autism and juvenile arthritis motivated them to come fight the turbulent waves.
El-Tabchy, a resident of lebanon, and Robertsen, a french national, swam consistently for 10 hours without any breaks on the 15th of March.
“Half the time you reach the end shore of the Dubai. It was like coming out of the surface of the sea. The other part was like oh, my god, an alien. At that moment of time, you don’t know how to push your body through pain. You are literally losing breath and starting to feel overwhelming. Dubai has good weather, so their temperature is cold but usually warm and can adjust quite easily if the swimmer itself begins feeling warm,” El-Tabchy said.
“It is very refreshing, especially after swimming. You also realize how strong your mind can be to any physical stress you set for yourself. As long as your reason is strong, and you are strong mentally. .”
After five months of rigorous training, El-Tabchy and Robertsen plunged into the sea on March 15 while hoping their strenuous effort would increase awareness about autism and juvenile arthritis.
A family member’s illness inspired his passion for advocacy, “I wanted to do this for a personal reason because a family member has juvenile arthritis. So I swam to raise awareness for kids who have arthritis,” El-Tabchy said.
“I had been wanting to execute this for a long time. When I pitched the idea to Eric, he was excited to get on board because one of his family members was diagnosed with autism,” Robertsen said.
Excessive inflammation and pain in the joints of the troublesome body parts that may occur simultaneously is termed juvenile arthritis. It is typically referred to as a chronic degenerative disease and one that stealthily seeps into the body of a child.
“Many people unfortunately don’t know that it impacts children, so a lot of kids go undiagnosed for one year, two years. Because they think, ‘Oh, it is just limping or something,’ but that can do so much damage. That is why awareness is the key,” El-Tabchy said.
For the advocate’s mission, they gained support from Dubai based charitable organisation which funds medical research and education, Al Jalila Foundation. El-Tabchy and Robertsen partnered with them for advocacy.
“They have assisted us in raising funds and awareness, and their support is crucial for us,” he said.
El-Tabchy, who specializes in fermented foods from Jumeirah, also expressed his gratitude to Dubai Police for assisting him during the swim.
“I recall there being a police boat stationed next to us while we swam. After every thirty minutes, we were required to take electrolytes. They were also providing us with bananas and black tea,” he added. “The support we received was tremendous.”
El-Tabchy and Robertsen were still required to contend with powerful sea waves until reaching the beach, regardless of the support that was offered.
El-Tabchy came down with a virus about three weeks prior to the swim.
But there was nothing that could crush his willpower.
“In the last two years, I have done extensive planning, undergone brutal training, and organized enduring logistics. No one was going to stop me from accomplishing this,” he explained.
“And it was done for a cause. We weren’t pursuing glory or setting records. It was just about swimming for those who tackle challenging fights with arthritis and autism every day. Our strokes were powered by these young warriors,” he continued.