Watch: Dubai girl’s strokes of hope for children with cancer
University student explains why she swam 15km of choppy, international waters
Dubai: A Dubai-based university student has swum 15km in international waters in the hope that every stroke undertaken would help support a child in need back home.
Speaking to Gulf News, Indian expat Keisha Pais said she swam the Bonifacio Strait, connecting Italy and France. Its choppy waters divide the Tyrrhenian Sea from the western Mediterranean Sea, the stretch known for its rough currents.
“The swim from Sardinia to Corsica seemed daunting, but my mind was set on something deeper than the challenge of the open sea,” she said.
Pais, who was part of a team trained by I Love Supersport Dubai, said inclement weather dictated a change in plan, forcing her and three other team members to swim the other way round, from Corsica instead of Sardinia.
“But that didn’t change the purpose. When I came out on the other side, on the shores of Sardinia, a wave of exhaustion washed over me — just as a deep sense of fulfilment,” she said.
Cancer treatment
“My journey began with the 50x50x50 campaign, led by the club’s founder, Rinat Mustafin, which raised funds for a child’s treatment in partnership with the Al Jalila Foundation. As I prepared for the challenging swim across the Bonifacio Strait, I realised that if my achievement could contribute to helping children battling cancer, it would transform this effort into something truly meaningful.”
“Each movement of the body was a meant to be a stroke of hope, strength and chance for a child,” she added.
She recalled how she could not practise in open waters in Dubai ahead of the adventure because of the summer. “So it was that much harder for me, the revrse current not making things any easier. I felt nauseous during parts of the swim but despite the discomfort, kept going because of the underlying purpose.
She was grateful for the team spirit of the other swimmers that helped push her forward through the waves. “I will always cherish the sense of camaraderie during the swim,” she said.
Pais also recalled how her parents, who were part of a team accompanying the swimmers on a boat, also lent support with their presence, enabling her to consume permissible foods at stipulated intervals during the swim.
“When I reached the 7km milestone, I even had a date, as a special tribute from one of my friends to the seven emirates,” she said.
Pais said the 15km swim took her five hours and 35 minutes to complete.
“But the journey wasn’t about endurance or setting a record. It was about giving back and honouring the resilience of young cancer fighters.”
Pais’ father said, “I am extremely proud of what my daughter has achieved and extend my full support to such endeavours by her.”