10th March 2026

Antarctica Ice Swim, Expedition Report

by Toni Enderli – Oceans7 Swimmer

After 16 years in the making, Swiss ice swimmer Toni Enderli completed one of the most extreme swims ever attempted, deep in the frozen wilderness of Antarctica.

The expedition began with a long journey south as the Swiss team — swimmers Toni Enderli and Markus Marthaler, supported by two crew members — joined an international group of 14 swimmers from 11 countries. Leading the expedition was legendary ice swimmer Ram Barkai, founder and president of the

International Ice Swimming Association (IISA), alongside renowned swimmers including Sam Whelpton and Dr. Michel.

Antartica 

Support Crew: Markus Marthaler, Dean Harley,

Organisers: Ram Barkai IISA, Sam Whelpton and Dr. Michel.

The journey south began from Ushuaia aboard the expedition vessel Albatross. This time, the notorious

Drake Passage showed its calmer side. With the stars seemingly aligned and favourable weather accompanying the voyage, the ship enjoyed an unusually smooth crossing. The good conditions allowed the captain to safely navigate further south than originally planned — setting a record for the vessel itself and providing the swimming team with an exceptional base location to attempt their swims deep in Antarctic waters.

And then Came the Wildlife.

When the expedition reached the narrow channel known as The Gullet, the landscape changed dramatically. Towering glaciers surrounded the vessel. Silence stretched across endless fields of drifting ice. The water temperature rested at –2°C.

And then came the wildlife.

Penguins gathered along the shoreline. Seals rested on drifting ice. Whales moved quietly through the dark Antarctic water. For the swimmers and expedition team, it felt less like arriving somewhere new and more like being gently welcomed into another world, one that belonged entirely to nature.

That is what makes Antarctica so special. Here, humans are not the owners of the environment, they are merely guests

The two athletes moved through the freezing water side by side.

Before the official swims, the athletes conducted reconnaissance test swims at Horseshoe Island. Every swimmer completed a 250 m test swim deep below the Antarctic Circle to evaluate the extreme conditions.

Under official ice swimming rules — without wetsuits and relying only on preparation, training and mental strength — Enderli and Marthaler prepared to enter the water.

At latitude 68.17° south near Stonington Island, Toni Enderli entered the freezing Antarctic water for a onenkilometre swim that would push the limits of human endurance.

Swimming alongside him was international ice swimming legend Sam Whelpton. The two athletes moved through the freezing water side by side, motivating each other stroke by stroke.

Record Breaking for Switzerland

Enderli became the first Swiss swimmer ever to complete a swim at this latitude and the first male swimmer in history to complete a swim this far south.

Two days later, in the early misty Antarctic morning, Markus Marthaler completed his own remarkable swim. Battling strong currents and icy conditions, he swam 850 metres in water measured at just 0.9°C.

As the expedition came to an end, Enderli reflected with gratitude and emotion. What began as a journey to one of the most remote places on Earth became something far greater — new friendships, powerful bonds, and unforgettable memories.

Now the final chapter awaits: returning home to family before preparing for the final Oceans Seven swim in Japan.