Wikipedia

Deniz Kayadelen

Deniz Kayadelen (born June 20, 1987, in Frankfurt) is a Turkish-German open-water swimmer, extreme swimmer, inspirational speaker, and author.[1][2] She is a holder of the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming[3][4][5] and holds the world record for the highest swim on Earth as part of the Madswimmer team by swimming in Mount Putha Hiunchuli in the Himalayas at 6405m.[6][7][8] She is also an ice swimming world champion[9][10][11] and has crossed the English Channel.[12][13] She is a business psychologist and consultant alongside her athletic career.[9]

Deniz Kayadelen, extreme swimmer and inspirational speaker. Photo taken in 2026.

Early life and education

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Kayadelen was born in Germany and moved to Turkey at age 11[1] following her parents' divorce.[2] She completed her high school education at European College. She pursued her university studies at Istanbul University in Turkey and Bochum Ruhr University in Germany, earning a double diploma in psychology. She specialized in organizational psychology obtaining a master's degree in business and organizational psychology from Bochum Ruhr University.[14]

Swimming career

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Kayadelen's swimming journey began in her youth, starting at Yeşilyurt Sports Club in Turkey before continuing at Bakırköy Ataspor Club.[15] She ventured into open water swimming in 2008, participating in the Istanbul Bosphorus Cross-Continental race, earning 4th place initially and subsequently 1st place in the following years.[16][17][18] She achieved first place in Arena Aquamasters competitions, setting two Turkish masters national records in her age category in 2019 and 2022.[19][20][21][22][23]

Kayadelen began marathon swimming in 2019, completing two international relay swims.[1] She first crossed the North Channel with the relay team "Mad Turks", becoming part of the first Turkish relay team to complete the crossing.[24][25] Later that year, the same team, renamed "Out of Comfort Zone", completed a relay crossing of the English Channel, swimming 33.5 km from England to France in 11 hours and 40 minutes.[26][27][28]

One year later, in March 2020, Kayadelen completed a solo crossing from Robben Island to Blouberg in South Africa, becoming the first Turkish woman to achieve the feat.[29][30][28] She completed the crossing in 2 hours and 28 minutes alongside Ryan Stamrood, who holds the record for the most Robben Island crossings.[29][31] Later that year, she participated in the Peace Route Swim for World Peace Day, where a nine-person relay team swam 91.27 km from Northern Cyprus to Mersin, Turkey. The swim was nominated for the 2020 WOWSA Award for World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year.[32]

In June 2021, Kayadelen participated in a six-day world-record relay attempt covering approximately 320 km from Sochi, Russia, to Giresun, Turkey.[28]

In 2022 and 2023, Kayadelen became an ice swimming world champion at the 4th and 5th IISA World Championships. At the 2022 championships in Głogów, Poland, she won gold in the 500 m freestyle, 250 m freestyle and 50 m butterfly in her age category in 3.2 °C water.[33][10][11] At the 2023 championships in Samoëns, France, she won gold in the 50 m and 100 m butterfly in her age category in 4.2 °C water.[34][35]

In July 2023, Kayadelen completed a solo crossing of the English Channel, one of the Oceans Seven swims and part of the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, on her first attempt.[13] Although the shortest distance between England and France is approximately 32 km, strong tidal currents extended her swim to 57 km, which she completed in 15 hours and 8 minutes in 16 °C water.[36][12][37]

In 2024, Kayadelen completed the remaining two swims required to earn the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.[3][4][5] She crossed the Catalina Channel in July in 14 hours and 49 minutes,[38] before completing the 20 Bridges Manhattan Island Swim the following month in 7 hours, 58 minutes and 4 seconds, becoming the fastest Turkish woman to complete the Manhattan Island swim.[39][5][40]

Deniz Kayadelen won four medals (two gold and two silver) at the 2026 IISA European Ice Swimming Championships in Molveno, Italy, five months after giving birth to her daughter.

In February 2026, Kayadelen competed at the IISA European Ice Swimming Championships in Molveno, Italy, in 1 °C water as Turkey's sole representative. Five months after giving birth to her daughter, she won four medals across four races: gold in the 100 m butterfly and 250 m freestyle, and silver in the 100 m freestyle and 50 m butterfly in her age category.[41][42][43][44]

Also in 2026, Kayadelen completed a solo crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar, swimming 15.8 km from Europe to Africa in 4 hours and 41 minutes in 16 °C water without a wetsuit, dedicating the swim to raising awareness for world peace.[45][46] With this crossing, she completed her fourth of the seven swims in the Oceans Seven challenge.

As of July 2026, Kayadelen is preparing for an expedition to Svalbard, Norway, where she plans to attempt a record-setting ice swim near the North Pole. The expedition, undertaken with her infant daughter accompanying her, aims to become the first swim of its kind in the region.[47]

World record

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Deniz Kayadelen, as part of Madswimmer team, broke the Guinness World Record for the highest Swim on Earth in Mount Putha Hiunchuli

On 10 May 2024, Deniz Kayadelen, as part of the Madswimmer team, set a world record for the highest swim on Earth at 6,405 meters on Putha Hiunchuli in the Himalayas.[6][7][48] They did a 15-day ascent covering 138 kilometers on foot to reach the swimming point.[8]

The Madswimmer mission aimed to raise awareness about climate change and raise funds for two African charities.[6][8] Finding no water at a height of 6,405 meters, the team carved a swimming hole in the ice and filled it with melted ice.[48] They swam in 3.7 °C water with an outside temperature of -6 °C, taking three-minute turns.[6][7]

The expedition team included:[6][8]

  • Jean Craven (Swimmer and sponsor, creator of Madswimmer ONG).
  • Vanes-Mari du Toit (Swimmer and sports personality).
  • Neo Mokuene (Swimmer and award-winning SA filmmaker).
  • Sean Disney (Tour Guide).
  • Chiara Baars (ER Doctor).

Almost all participants lacked mountaineering experience.[48]

International competition placings

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  • 2026: IISA European Ice Swimming Championships, Molveno, Italy — Gold in 100m Butterfly (age category), Gold in 250m Freestyle (age category), Silver in 100m Freestyle (age category), Silver in 50m Butterfly (age category), water temp. 1°C[49][50][51]
  • 2024: Winter Swimming World Championship, 3rd place Ice Swimming in 200m and 450m freestyle age category 35-39, water temp. 0.2 degrees, Tallinn, Estonia[52][53]
  • 2023: IISA 5th World Championships, 1st place in Ice Swimming (50m and 100m Butterfly) age category 35-39, Samoens, France[34][35]
  • 2022: IISA 4th World Championships, 1st place in Ice Swimming in 500m - 250m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly age category 35-39, water temp. 3.2 degrees, Poland Glogow[33][10][11]
  • 2022: Aquamasters Arena Turkish Championship: - Record age category - 1500 Freestyle[19]
  • 2019: Aquamasters Arena Turkish Championship: 50m, 200m Butterfly, woman 1st place[20][21] (200m age category record) - Turkish national record[19][54]
  • 2019: 10k Oceanman turkey – 3rd place – 2:55:55.17[20]
  • 2018: 9th International Arena Aquamasters Swimming Championship – 3 km first place 18[23]
  • 2016 – 5 km German championship open water – top 15[55]
  • 2015: Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race, 6.5 km, Woman 1st[16][17]
  • 2015: International Hessian Open Water Swimming Championships - 5k open water 3rd place[56]
  • 2014: 42.4 kilometers swim in 24 hours in Stuttgart, Germany, woman 1st Place[31]
  • 2013: 39 kilometers swim in 24 hours in Stuttgart, Germany, 2nd place[57]

Recognition

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In 2025, Deniz Kayadelen was listed by MSN among the Top 10 Self-Made Women to Watch.[58] She also received the Power Feminine Speaker Award at the Women's Health and Mindfulness Leadership Congress in Paris.[59]

Additional coverage of her career and impact appeared in Winspire Live.[60]

Other work

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Consultancy

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In addition to her swimming career, Kayadelen has established herself as a consultant[2][61] with over 15 years of experience specializing in talent management, change management and work motivation.[9] Kayadelen has also founded her own company, "Out of Comfort Zone," focusing on fear management, resilience, and motivation.[15][61] She works with cold water immersion and coaching[2] with individuals and teams in companies.[62]

Media projects

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In January 2024, the German television channel SAT3 released the Documentary "Motivation Superpower—Strong Will to Achieve Your Goal" (Superkraft Motivation—Willensstarkzum Ziel) based on Deniz Kayadelen's life. The documentary explores the science behind motivational forces, focusing on psychological and neuroscience aspects and presenting diverse case studies.[63]

Kayadelen also participated in an ARD German TV channel documentary called "My body. My feel-good temperature—Cold" (Mein Körper. Meine Wohlfühltemperatur —Kälte), released in February of the same year. This documentary explores the impact of cold water on the body and the ways in which cold can be beneficial. It shows different case studies of people who have developed resistance to the cold, Kayadelen being one of them.[64]

Books

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She is the author of the upcoming book From Fear to Peak Flow: Break Through Limits with a Groundbreaking Fusion of Neuroscience, Psychology, Business, Extreme Sports, and Spiritual Wisdom, which presents the "Peak Flow Method", a framework integrating extreme athletic performance, corporate leadership, and psychology.[65]

She is also the author of Out of Comfort Zone: Cutting Edge Business Lessons Based on Sports Psychology from the Experience of an Extreme Swimmer, first published in December 2020.[31] It has been translated into German and Turkish.[65] In this book, Kayadelen documents her career as an extreme swimmer and provides observations about overcoming challenges and achieving success. Swimming is used both as a metaphor and a bridge to corporate life.[31]

She wrote her first book in German in 2011, "German Expats in Turkey: Successful Management in an International Context."[65]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 "Deniz Kayadelen Kimdir? Deniz Kayadelen kaç yaşında, nereli?". haymanagazetesi.org. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Gündem, Sinem (2023-04-12). "Deniz Kayadelen: Ben korkumdan daha fazlasıyım". Mümkün Dergi (in Turkish). Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  3. 1 2 "Männedorf: Extremschwimmerin Deniz Kayadelen feiert Weltrekord". Zürichsee-Zeitung (in German). 2024-08-28. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  4. 1 2 "Deniz Kayadelen erobert Triple Crown-Titel im Freiwasserschwimmen". Nau (in Swiss High German). 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  5. 1 2 3 "Deniz Kayadelen, Hudson Nehri'ni 7 saat 58 dakikada yüzerek Türkiye rekorunu kırdı - Sözcü Gazetesi". www.sozcu.com.tr (in Turkish). 2024-09-10. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Deniz Kayadelen und die Madswimmers schwimmen für Kinderhilfe und Klimaschutz Weltrekord". www.presseportal-schweiz.ch (in German). 2024-05-17. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  7. 1 2 3 "So weit oben ist noch niemand geschwommen". Zürichsee-Zeitung (in German). 2024-05-21. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Ford, Wesley (2024-05-16). "Icy Himalayan swim to help Red Cross". Southern Suburbs Tatler. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  9. 1 2 3 Krapf, Christof (2023-01-12). "Deniz Kayadelen: Die Eisschwimm-WM – und dann über den Ärmelkanal". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in Swiss High German). ISSN 0376-6829. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  10. 1 2 3 "Aus der Angst vor dem Eiswasser wurden drei Weltmeistertitel". Zürichsee-Zeitung (in German). 2022-02-09. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  11. 1 2 3 Uğur Demırkirdi (2022-02-04). "Deniz Kayadelen, buz yüzmede dünya şampiyonu". www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  12. 1 2 "Adını tarihe yazdırdı! Manş Denizi'ni 15 saatte yüzdü - Haberler". CNN TÜRK (in Turkish). 2023-07-21. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  13. 1 2 "Deniz kayadelen 2023". www.channelswimmingassociation.com. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  14. ↑ Kayadelen, Deniz (2020). Out Of Comfort Zone: Cutting Edge Business Lessons Based on Sports Psychology from the Experience of an Extreme Swimmer (1st ed.). Happy Self Publishing. pp. 32–37.
  15. 1 2 "Deniz Kayadelen Kimdir?". www.alem.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  16. 1 2 "Samsung Boğaziçi Kıtalararası Yüzme Yarışı Yapıldı". Son Dakika (in Turkish). 2015-07-26. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  17. 1 2 "Samsung Boğaziçi Yüzme Yarışı'na Rekor Katılım". Deniz Ticaret Gazetesi (in Turkish). 2015-07-27. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  18. ↑ Kayadelen, Deniz (2020). Out Of Comfort Zone: Cutting Edge Business Lessons Based on Sports Psychology from the Experience of an Extreme Swimmer (1st ed.). Happy Self Publishing. pp. 25–27.
  19. 1 2 3 "Türkiye Yüzme Federasyonu - TYF". www.tyf.gov.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  20. 1 2 3 "International Arena Aquamasters Swimming Championship Marmaris 2019 - Race 8 results" (PDF). www.canli.tyf.gov.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  21. 1 2 "International Arena Aquamasters Swimming Championship Marmaris 2019 - Race 26 Results" (PDF). www.canli.tyf.gov.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  22. ↑ "10. Uluslararası Arena Aquamasters Yüzme Şampiyonası, Marmaris'te yapıldı". Deniz Haber (in Turkish). 2019-05-06. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  23. 1 2 "9. Uluslararası Arena Aquamasters Yüzme Şampiyonası". Haberler (in Turkish). 2018-09-30. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  24. ↑ "ILDSA Swim Record North Channel". www.ildsa.info. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  25. ↑ "Çılgın Türkler Kuzey Kanalı'nı Yüzerek Geçti". MegaPlus Dergisi (in Turkish). 2019-08-26. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  26. ↑ "Out of our Comfort Zone 2019". www.channelswimmingassociation.com. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  27. ↑ "Sie trotzt eisigen Temperaturen und Weissen Haien". Tages-Anzeiger (in German). 2022-01-06. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  28. 1 2 3 "Deniz Kayadelen - Openwaterpedia". www.openwaterpedia.com. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  29. 1 2 "Swim Records". Cape Long Distance Swimming Association. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  30. ↑ "Yeni bir kadın kahramanımız oldu". Dokuzuncu Kulvar (in Turkish). Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  31. 1 2 3 4 Kayadelen, Deniz (2020). Out Of Comfort Zone: Cutting Edge Business Lessons Based on Sports Psychology from the Experience of an Extreme Swimmer. Happy Self Publishing.
  32. ↑ Munatones, Steven (2020-12-18). "Peace Route Swim Success From Northern Cyprus To Turkish Mainland". World Open Water Swimming Association. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  33. 1 2 "Event Results IISA 4th World Championship 2022". www.internationaliceswimming.com. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  34. 1 2 "Certificate of achievement". www.internationaliceswimming.com. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  35. 1 2 "Event Results 5th World Championship - Samoens 2023". www.internationaliceswimming.com. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  36. ↑ Alas, Enver (2023-07-21). "Deniz'in Manş zaferi". www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  37. ↑ "Sie schwimmt bei 0,8 Grad Wassertemperatur: "Eine Flut von Glückshormonen"". Tages-Anzeiger (in German). 2023-10-21. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  38. ↑ "Swim Successes – Catalina Channel Swimming Federation". Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  39. ↑ "20 Bridges/Manhattan Island Swim Solo Swim Results – New York Open Water". Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  40. ↑ Habertürk. "Yeni rekor denemesi neresi olacak? Deniz Kayadelen anlattı". Habertürk (in Turkish). Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  41. ↑ "Zwei Tage, zwei Titel: Türkische Ausnahmeschwimmerin Deniz Kayadelen triumphiert bei EM". www.hurriyet.de (in German). 2026-02-05. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  42. ↑ "Eisschwimmen: Deniz Kayadelen aus Kreuzlingen gewinnt Doppel-Gold". www.thurgauerzeitung.ch (in German). 2026-02-13. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  43. ↑ Olca, Gürsoy (2026-02-07). "Deniz Kayadelen'den Buzda 4 Madalya". www.sondakika.com (in Turkish). Retrieved 2026-02-07.
  44. ↑ "Vom Trauma zu Doppelgold: Wie Deniz Kayadelen im Eisschwimmen Grenzen verschiebt". www.premium-speakers.com (in German). 2026-02-20. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  45. ↑ "Bakırköy Ataspor'un Yıldızı Deniz Kayadelen Dünya Çapında Tarih Yazıyor". www.yurt-haber.com (in Turkish). Retrieved 2026-06-03.
  46. ↑ "What Gibraltar Taught Me About Faith, Teamwork, and Real Performance". www.outofcomfortzone.net. 2026-05-16. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  47. ↑ "Buz gibi suların cesur Türk kadını! 9 aylık bebeğiyle rekorlara yüzüyor... Hedefi Kuzey Kutbu'nda bir ilke imza atmak". Sabah (in Turkish). Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  48. 1 2 3 "Madswimmer team break new icy ground with world record in Himalayas". News24. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  49. ↑ "Zwei Tage, zwei Titel: Türkische Ausnahmeschwimmerin Deniz Kayadelen triumphiert bei EM". www.hurriyet.de (in German). 2026-02-05. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  50. ↑ "Eisschwimmen: Deniz Kayadelen aus Kreuzlingen gewinnt Doppel-Gold". www.thurgauerzeitung.ch (in German). 2026-02-13. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  51. ↑ Olca, Gürsoy (2026-02-07). "Deniz Kayadelen'den Buzda 4 Madalya". www.sondakika.com (in Turkish). Retrieved 2026-02-07.
  52. ↑ "Winter Swimming World Championship 2024 - Kardabik 200m freestyle". www.racetecresults.com. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  53. ↑ "Winter Swimming World Championship 2024 - Dryrobe 450 freestyle". www.racetecresults.com. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  54. ↑ "Buzlu denizlerin cesur, şampiyon ve rekortmen Türk kızı Kayadelen konuştu". www.finansgundem.com (in Turkish). 2023-01-17. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  55. ↑ "Results DM Freiwasser hamburg 2016" (PDF). www.sg-dortmund-masters.de. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  56. ↑ "Int. Hessische Meisterschaften Freiwasserschwimmen 2015" (PDF). www.bruchsalersv.de. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  57. ↑ "Protocol - Swimming Club Stuttgart-Möhringen 1933 eV". www.yumpu.com. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  58. ↑ Standley Allard, Emily (9 September 2025). "Top 10 Self-Made Women to Watch in 2025". Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  59. ↑ Rudraraju, Yaswanth (2025-04-07). "Women leadership - women health congress 2025". Frenchchronicles. Retrieved 2026-06-05.
  60. ↑ "Deniz Kayadelen". Winspire Magazines. Archived from the original on 2025-12-17. Retrieved 2026-06-05.
  61. 1 2 "Buzlu denizlerin cesur, şampiyon ve rekortmen Türk kızı Kayadelen konuştu". www.finansgundem.com (in Turkish). 2023-01-17. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  62. ↑ "Eisschwimmen für den Teamspirit: Topschwimmerin Deniz Kayadelen wirft Manager ins kalte Wasser". Handelszeitung (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  63. ↑ "Doku: Superkraft Motivation - Willensstark zum Ziel". www.3sat.de (in German). 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  64. ↑ ARD-Wissen: Mein Körper. Meine Wohlfühltemperatur – Kälte - hier anschauen (in German). Retrieved 2024-08-04 – via www.ardmediathek.de.
  65. 1 2 3 "From Fear to Peak Flow". Out of Comfort Zone. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
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