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Bulgarian lifeguard and adventurer Yane Petkov, 64, made history in July 2018 by setting a world record at Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia, swimming 3,380 metres with his hands and feet tied together and placed in a sack, a demanding long-distance test of strength, courage and endurance that surprised even the seasoned swimmers.
This world record is especially meaningful because it reflects Bulgaria’s adventurous spirit. As a lifeguard, Petkov learned to stay calm in dangerous situations, recognise risks in the water, and manage his limits. This experience helped him control his pace, remain focused, and prioritise safety, even while attempting something inherently risky.
Petkov’s achievement surpassed the previous record set by Indian fisherman Gopal Kharvi, who swam 3,071 metres in the Indian Ocean in 2013. However, Kharvi reportedly did not have to swim while being placed ‘in a sack’, so the challenge differed from Petkov’s more restrictive test at Lake Ohrid.
Petkov’s accomplishment stands out not only because it is longer but also because it uses a far more unusual and demanding method. By tying both his hands and feet and placing him in a sack, he changes the entire mechanics of swimming: while most swimmers rely on arm pulls and leg kicks for power, Petkov cannot use those tools. To keep moving forward, he has to develop new techniques for stability and control, which will require time, practice and a strong mindset.
Many people ask why anyone would attempt something so difficult. In Petkov’s case, it seems to be driven by curiosity and a desire to test what the human body can achieve. Like many adventurers, he was drawn to challenges that looked impossible at first – and wanted to show that limits are not fixed, and that preparation and bravery can push them wider.
Petkov’s success also put Lake Ohrid in the spotlight – an already popular destination known for its beauty – and tied it to an extraordinary sports story. When a place becomes the setting for a record, it often attracts even more international attention.
Moreover, the achievement is not only personal. It is shared and celebrated by families, trainers, friends, and the wider community. In Bulgaria and beyond, Petkov’s example encourages others to work harder, pursue their passions, and respect the power of discipline.
Petkov’s world record remains memorable because it combined real endurance with an unusual technique, and it clearly surpassed earlier marks. By swimming 3,380 metres in Lake Ohrid with his hands and feet tied together and placed in a sack, Petkov set a new benchmark for open-water swimming. By beating Kharvi’s 3,071-metre record from the Indian Ocean, he proved that even established records can be challenged and surpassed.
At its core, Petkov’s story is about courage in difficult conditions – about persistence when movement is restricted and about an adventurer willing to chase a dream even when it requires something strange, unfamiliar, and truly hard.
Dr Aloma Jayasundera
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