Tuna Tunca: Finding Freedom in the Open Water
Tuna Tunca is a 23-year-old autistic ultra-marathon swimmer from Turkey who is taking on some of the most difficult open-water challenges in the world. His journey is about more than completing extraordinary distances. According to his mother, Gül Nur Tunca, the sea is where Tuna finds freedom, rhythm, and a profound sense of connection.
Tuna began swimming when he was just three and a half years old. What started with a natural connection to the water eventually developed into a passion for open-water swimming. With support from his family and coach, Tuna continued building his endurance and taking on increasingly difficult challenges.
In June 2025, Tuna completed the English Channel in 13 hours and 26 minutes. He then crossed the Strait of Gibraltar in 5 hours and 32 minutes. In July 2026, he completed the North Channel between Northern Ireland and Scotland in about 16 hours of challenging open-water conditions.
His journey continued in September 2026 with the Catalina Channel in California. Tuna completed the approximately 35-kilometer crossing in 11 hours, 3 minutes, and 20 seconds, facing high waves, darkness, strong tides, and dense kelp before reaching the California coast. The accomplishment marked his fourth completed crossing in his pursuit of the Ocean’s Seven.
For Tuna, swimming is more than competition. His journey demonstrates what Beyond the Label represents: autism is one part of an athlete’s story, not the limit of what that athlete can accomplish.
As Tuna continues his pursuit of the Ocean’s Seven, his journey is still being written. Rather than being defined by autism, he is building his identity through his dedication, endurance, and love for the open water.
Follow Tuna’s Journey: @tunatuncaofficial
