世界中の冒険家が目標に掲げるオーシャンズ・セブンと呼ばれる七海峡があり、津軽海峡は最難関とされている。昨年、私が通訳として同行したRob Lea氏も挑戦した一人。新聞記事を裏付けるように、昨年7月時点で４海峡を制覇した彼を以てしても津軽海峡を泳ぎ切ることが出来なかった。
There are seven straits known as "Oceans Seven" that adventurers from around the world have set their sights on, and the Tsugaru Straits connecting Aomori and Hokkaido are considered the most difficult. Rob Rea is also one of the challengers, and last year I accompanied him as an interpreter. As the newspaper says, even though he had conquered four straits as of July last year, he could not swim through the Tsugaru Strait.
My partner, Rob Lea, swimming the Tsugaru Strait. (youtube.com)
これまでに7海峡全てを制覇した冒険家は27人しかいない事からも、7制覇が如何に困難か理解できよう。実際にアシスタントの一人として数日間を一緒に過ごしたが、遠泳以外にも、天候、潮の流れなど緻密な予測を立てながらベストなタイミングを掴むため、チャレンジ本番までひと時も余談を許さぬ状況にあった。そうした世界の冒険家が注目する海峡が青森県にある事を昨年初めて知ることとなったのだが、ツーリズムとは直接関係のない分野で青森県が注目を浴びる事は喜ばしい限りだ。
The fact that only 27 adventurers have so far conquered the seven straits shows how difficult it is to conquer all. I actually spent several days with him as one of the assistants, and in addition to swimming, they needed to make precise predictions about the weather, tides, and other factors in order to get the best timing, they didn't have any moment to unwind until just before the challenge. Last year I learned for the first time that Aomori Prefecture is home to straits that attract the attention of adventurers from around the world, and it is nice to see Aomori attracting attention around the world besides the tourism field.
【2023年7月撮影】写真使用は許可済Permission granted for photo.
