Ice
Man Swimming Club, Kusadasi Sports
Club,
The Ice Man Swimming Club, set up in
memory of the Guinness World Records
holder swimmer Mehmet Gedik, who
managed to stay in water at a
temperature of minus 9 C for 51
minutes,
WHO IS ‘ICEMAN’ MEHMET GEDIK
Born in 1955 in Ankara; Mehmet Yasar
Gedik, started swimming at the age of
7. Having had many successes in the
pool until 17; Mr.Gedik was chosen for
National Marathon Team. In Rink
Ihtisas, Mulkiye and Galatasaray Sport
Clubs, he started water polo and
marathon swimming. On 23rd July 1984,
he swam the distance between
Anamur-Girne (85kms) within a time of
34hours and 40minutes. After that;
with the approval of president of
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Mr.Denktaş and Prime Minister
Mr.Konak; his name was given to a
street in Girne in Northern Cyprus.
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4Th July 1985
Yalova-Karamursel
14th April 1986 Kemer-Antalya
8Th July 1986
Hereke-Karamursel
28th August 1986
Yarimca-Karamursel
1st July 1987 Alapli-Eregli
29th October 1993 Canakkale Bosphorus
Having swam marathons 43 times in
different times and places likewise,
Mr.Gedik set a new goal. His new goal
was to cross the Bering Strait,
between the U.S.A. and Russia, on the
North Pole, and by this way; to prove
the Turk's power to the world one more
time. The Bering Strait is –even in
August--2C. In order to achieve
his goal; Mr. Gedik started trainings;
in summer, in ice in winter, in
ice-covered Mogan and Egmir Lakes
(Ankara) so as to get his body and
brain accustomed to -2C water.
On 21st 1997, staying in ice for
32min.33sec.he broke the National
Record by staying in ice for 43mins he
broke the World Record. He broke the
record degree of French Jean Noel
(42min.) and got his name on Guinness
Records. Then on 19th May 1999 in
Kusadasi; he broke his own record by
staying in ice for 44min. After that
he did his marathons in winter season
and in freezing cold water.
14th February 2000 Hotel
Pinebay-Kusadasi Port
24th November 2000 Hotel
Adakule-Kusadasi Port
23rd April 2000 Samos(Greece)-Kusadasi
Port
On 5th July 2001 in Marl (Germany),
staying under ice (-9C) for 51min. in
front of 700 people, he refreshed his
own record; which was registered
officially by Guinness expert
committee. Constantly developing his
degree of staying under ice; Mr. Gedik,
improved this record to 1hour and
10min. in the presence of notary, in
Kusadasi, 2003.
After having educated hundreds of
swimmers in Ankara, he founded the
first Swimming Team of Kusadasi Sports
Club in 2000. He made the young and
children from Kusadasi and Aydin, love
swimming and enabled them to live the
success, discipline, determination and
happiness of success even under hard
conditions.
Some of his swimmer's success:
Antalya 2002 Turkey Regional
Championship's 3rd
Balikesir 2003 Turkey Regional
Championship's 1st
Because he couldn't find any financial
support, all he had done to cross the
Bering Strait and all his effort were
wasted.
National swimmer Mehmet Yasar Gedik
who was married and had two children,
died in Kusadasi, 23rd August 2004.
The founder of Ice Man Swimming Club,
Saruhan Gedik,who also a pentathlon
trainer and son of Mehmet Gedik, said
his club has biathlon, triathlon and
pentathlon athletes competing at all
levels. who could potentially be
future world record breakers, but that
more funding was needed to make this
dream a reality,
The team trains 4 days a week and any
good swimmers willing to join at all
ages (even seniors) are more than
welcome. The Swimming Club is open
everyday 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
until late September,
Adress KEGEV Sports Club, opposite the
Marina Migros Kusadasi,
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