A man with no arms and no legs in the English Channel.

September 20, 2010 12:47 PM

Philippe Croizon swam the English Channel this weekend. Making this a notable feat: the 42 year old Frenchman has neither arms nor legs after having lost his limbs in an electrical accident.
posted by sonika (13 comments total)

I am such a freaking slacker.
posted by desjardins at 12:51 PM on September 20, 2010 [6 favorites]

"Don't tell me what I can't do!"
posted by Babblesort at 12:53 PM on September 20, 2010 [5 favorites]

Makes me feel really pathetic for telling my coworker that I was too tired after lunch to go for a walk around the building.
posted by Babblesort at 12:54 PM on September 20, 2010

I am somewhat ashamed that my first thought was "motorboatmotorboatmotorboat."

Nevertheless, I'm adding this to my "cool shit you can do with your life so stop complaining for fuck's sake" file (to be used by me, and shown to my kids eventually.)
posted by davejay at 1:19 PM on September 20, 2010

Various YouTube videos. You can see him parachuting too.
posted by elgilito at 1:20 PM on September 20, 2010

What do you call a man with no arm and no legs in the English Channel? ...Totally awe inspiring.
posted by BrotherCaine at 1:35 PM on September 20, 2010 [4 favorites]

DNWTFV, but there is a local man where I live who has done amazing things despite losing his left arm and right leg - like cross-country bicycling on a recumbent.

Interestingly (at least to me), he said he wanted to skydive, but was advised not to do it because supposedly his odd weight distribution would lead to him spinning around strangely.
posted by randomkeystrike at 1:37 PM on September 20, 2010

NPR, headline should read: QuadriplegicQuadruple Amputee Frenchman Philippe Croizon Successfully Swims Across English Channel
posted by BrotherCaine at 1:38 PM on September 20, 2010 [1 favorite]

I wonder if he is more buoyant than someone with limbs.
posted by smackfu at 1:47 PM on September 20, 2010

I was wondering how he did it and idly mused "Did he use like, prosthetic flippers?"

YES. That's EXACTLY how he did it. Coolest thing ever. I have both of my legs and wouldn't mind some flippers myself. Amazing.
posted by sonika at 2:55 PM on September 20, 2010

His friends call him Bob.
posted by srboisvert at 3:49 PM on September 20, 2010 [5 favorites]

I've had a nasty cut on the end of one of my fingers since last week, and have been avoiding the pool due to the annoyance of changing bandages every time I get in. Eff me.
posted by allkindsoftime at 3:54 AM on September 21, 2010 [1 favorite]

I wonder if he is more buoyant than someone with limbs.

I'd think the ratio of lung volume to total volume would be much higher, slightly offset by the massive cojones† it takes to swim the Channel with no limbs.

† or, you know, massive ovaries, just not in this specific case
posted by BrotherCaine at 3:13 PM on September 21, 2010