Chilean swimmer Bárbara Hernández, known as the “ice mermaid,” has set a new world record by swimming two and a half kilometers for more than 45 minutes in the icy waters of Antarctica. Hernandez, who swims in extreme conditions, does not wear neoprene or any other protection in the water, although she admits she is very sensitive to the cold.
Barbara Hernández does not stop under any circumstances, not even in the coldest and roughest waters on the planet. Before plunging into the icy water, she takes the last sips of something warm, puts on her cap, and throws herself into the challenge. On this occasion, her feat took place in Antarctica, where she managed to swim 2.5 kilometers in 45 minutes in temperatures two degrees below zero.
The Chilean Navy and experts in hypothermia guarded Hernandez during her latest feat, in which she broke the Guinness record. This swimmer is not new to achieving extreme challenges. In 2019, at the Cold Water Swimming World Championships in Siberia, she won ten medals, including three gold. In addition, she is the first person to cross Lake Chungará, which is at an altitude of 4,560 meters above sea level in northern Chile.
Her achievements also include being able to circumnavigate Manhattan Island twice and stay afloat for 20 hours without freezing.
The story of this “ice mermaid” shows that perseverance and determination are fundamental to achieving the most ambitious goals, even in the most difficult situations. Hernandez has shown that self-improvement has no limits and that, with dedication and effort, incredible things can be achieved.