Guwahati: Fresh off his historic English Channel relay swim, Elvis Ali Hazarika , the pride of Assam and India’s most seasoned open water swimmer shared a raw and emotional post describing the thrill, fear, and adventure of ocean swimming.
His words come just days after he became the first Assamese swimmer to conquer the English Channel in a relay team, completing the challenge in 13 hours, his 14th successful open water feat.
On Thursday evening, Hazarika took to his social media platforms to describe what it truly feels like to swim in the vast, unpredictable ocean. His post, poetic yet grounded in the harsh realities of extreme endurance swimming, read:
“Swimming in the middle of the ocean feels completely different. It’s a unique mix of thrill, fear, and adventure. When you suddenly see a jellyfish or it touches your body, or when dolphins swim close to you, it creates a very special feeling. And yes, when huge ships pass by while you’re swimming, that moment brings a deep sense of fear.
#Oceanholic #Englishchannelswimming #Seaswimming #Saltwater #Jellyfish #Channelswimmer #Sunburn #Dolphins #Coldwaterswimming #Seaswimmer #14openwaterswimming #FirstAxomiaChannelSwimmer 🏊♂️ #Englishchannel2025Relay #SwimforAssam #SwimforIndia
Mission Aparaajay 🏊♂️
JoiAaiAxom
Jai Maa Kamakhya 🙏
Jai Maa Bagalamukhi 🙏”
The post has resonated widely, drawing admiration from swimming enthusiasts, environmental activists, and young Assamese dreamers alike. While his English Channel triumph made headlines earlier this week, his deeply personal reflection reminds followers of the intense mental and emotional challenges beneath the surface of such achievements.
This isn’t just a celebration post it’s a window into the reality of battling nature with one’s bare body. From jellyfish stings to sudden encounters with dolphins, and the looming fear of giant ships passing nearby, Hazarika’s words highlight the raw courage required for oceanic endurance swims.
Elvis’s recent English Channel feat, completed in relay mode with an international team, was described by experts as “flawless in planning, brave in execution.” The relay team followed strict channel swimming rules—no wetsuits, no physical contact—and braved cold waters, strong currents, and limited visibility throughout the night. He is now being hailed as a Channel Veteran, inspiring a new generation of Assamese swimmers under the banner of “Swim for Assam, Swim for India.”
“Mission Aparaajay”, as Elvis calls his swimming journey, now feels more like a movement than a personal pursuit. Through every swim, he carries with him the hopes of his state and country. And while his medals and records grow, it is his honesty like the one in his Thursday post that keeps his journey human and relatable.
As the waves settle from his English Channel relay, one thing is clear: Elvis Ali Hazarika is not done yet. The swimmer from Assam is swimming not just for glory but for a larger story of identity, grit, and unshakable spirit.