Blind American to cross the Florida Straits in a kayak

HAVANA, Cuba, Jun 4 (acn) Peter Crowley, an American athlete with visual handicap, will try today to cross the Straits of Florida in a kayak, on another adventure devoted to the friendship between the peoples of Cuba and the United States.

After a failed attempt in April 2014 by adverse weather conditions, Crowley will depart again from the Hemingway International Yacht Club of Cuba, located west of the capital, accompanied by his son and a support boat.

Crowley, 57, who suffers from optic atrophy, offered a press conference at the headquarters of the institution which for over two decades has focused its work on strengthening relations between Cuba and the international sailing community, announced José Miguel Diaz Escrich, Commodore of the Club.

Despite not having completed his feat in 2014, this lover of the sea and adventure said then he was satisfied by bringing to Cuba equipment for visually impaired students.

Crowley´s adventure comes a few days after completion of the 65th Ernest Hemingway International Fishing Tournament of Marlin, which was attended for the first time in more than a decade by ships from USA.

Crossing the 145 kilometers from the Cuban coast to Key West has become a challenge for many athletes in the world, especially from the northern country.
After 28 hours of paddling, standing on a surfboard, the American Benjamin Friberg achieved the challenge in August 2013, fact that became him the first man to cross the 145 kilometers in those conditions.

In June 2011, a Miami Beach lifeguard completed the route in just over 29 hours, lying on a table and stroking.

Also in September 2013, the American Diana Nyad, 64, managed to cover the distance swimming from Havana to Key West, in Florida, without protection against sharks, after four attempts previously failed.

The Yacht Club has today the support of over 600 organizations and thousands of personalities linked to maritime activity of the world.