Jon Erikson

For other people with similar names, see John Erickson.
Jon Erikson
Personal information
Born(1954-09-06)September 6, 1954
Chicago, Illinois
DiedJuly 28, 2014(2014-07-28) (aged 59)
Boca Raton, USA
Sport
SportSwimming

Jon Erikson (September 6, 1954 – July 28, 2014) was an American long distance swimmer who was the first of only three people to have ever completed a three way swim of the English Channel. A physical education teacher at the time,[1] he completed the swim in a time of 38 h 27 mins in 1981.[2]
(1st leg – 10 h 10 mins, 2nd leg – 13 h 14 mins, 3rd leg – 15 h 03 mins)

The only other individuals to have completed this feat are Philip Rush, Alison Streeter, Chloe McCardel and Sarah Thomas.

Erikson also completed a two way crossing of the English Channel in 1975 in a time of 30 h 00 mins and again in 1979 in a time of 22 h 16 mins.[3] His total number of successful English Channel swims stands at 11, spanning a period from 1969 to 1981.

Erikson died of an infection on July 28, 2014 in Boca Raton. He was an inductee to the International Swimming Hall of Fame of that year.[4]

References

  1. ^ "A 3-Way Channel Swim". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 14, 1981. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  2. ^ "Solo Swims from England to France (3 way)". Channel Swimming Association. 1981. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  3. ^ "Solo Swims from England to France (2 way)". Channel Swimming Association. 1975–1979. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  4. ^ Kates, Joan Giangrasse (August 14, 2014). "Jon Erikson, record-setting English Channel swimmer, 1954-2014". Chicago Tribune.