Lithuanian endurance athlete and award-winning animation director Meinardas Valkevičius successfully completed a historic swim across the Baltic Sea.
He is the first documented person to cross from Kristianopel, Sweden, to Palanga, Lithuania, a journey of 366 km that spanned 21 days.
Valkevičius began his journey on July 14, 2025, swimming daily between 13–16 hours in cold, unpredictable waters. Accompanied by a six-person support crew, he faced strong headwinds, relentless waves, and two days of complete stoppage because of storms.
Along the way, he shared the sea with seals, crossed paths with a Russian submarine, and spent several days navigating one of the busiest shipping lanes in the Baltic,where massive cargo ships passed just beyond sight.
Despite the challenges, he reached the shores of Palanga on August 3, 2025.
“The Baltic Sea is vast, cold, and unpredictable. There were moments when progress felt impossible – especially when powerful currents, sometimes combined with waves, kept me in the same place for three hours. But I kept thinking about the people waiting for me on the shore and the belief that anything is possible if you commit fully,” Valkevičius said in a media release. “This swim was not just about physical endurance – it was about teamwork, trust, and mental strength. Every kilometer was a shared effort with my crew, and without them, this would have been impossible.”
The support team consisted of Captain Rimtautas Rimšas, kayak navigators Darius and Rita Janušoniai, documentarian Marius Domkus, and Marius Norvaišas, who served both as a land support coordinator and a kayaker alongside Gintaras Kublickas. The escort boat ensured safety, navigation, sleep, and regular feeding breaks, while the kayak provided immediate guidance in the water.
Swim Facts:
• Distance: 366 km
• Route: Kristianopel, Sweden → Palanga, Lithuania
• Duration: 21 days (including 2 rest days due to storms)
• Daily Distance: ~20-27 km
• Water Temperature: Cold open sea conditions
• First Person: To swim this route across the Baltic Sea
Beyond his sports achievements, Meinardas Valkevičius is an acclaimed animation filmmaker and founder of Meinart Animation Studio, known for creating Nelly Jelly: My Movie (the highest-grossing Lithuanian animated film) and award-winning shorts such as The Perfect Fit (the first Lithuanian animation featured on Disney+). His endurance challenges, including a 170 km swim along the Neris River, reflect his philosophy that “anything is possible for anyone”.
