Man swims Third Mainland Bridge lagoon to raise mental health awareness

A Nigerian swimming coach, Akinrodoye Dare, also known as Coach Dreh, definitively swam the entire 11.8 kilometers of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos on Saturday.

According to online reports, coach Dreh completed the challenge in two hours and 33 minutes with the clear aim of raising awareness about mental health issues, particularly suicide and depression.

In a video shared on X by #MeetPrinceAhmad, Coach Dreh highlighted the importance of mental health and encouraged those struggling to seek help.

He said, “I’m going to be swimming the entire length of the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge to raise awareness and sensitise the public on mental health, suicide, and depression.

“It is 11.8km from Mainland Oworonshoki to Island Adeniji Adele.

“My years of experience in the aquatic realm is over a decade, and swimming for me means I can do anything and become anything I want with it.

“Mental health is a cause I’m passionate about, and life can be very tough, and I think it’s okay to ask for help. Your life can change positively within the blink of an eye; stay alive to witness it.”

Following the exercise, #MeetPrinceAhmad wrote, “Today, 30th March, 2024. A young man defied all odds and daringly swam the 11.8km length of the Third Mainland Bridge in 2 hours, 33 minutes, and 50 seconds.

“His name is Dare, popularly called Coach Dreh. He swam against mental health, suicide, and depression.”

Another user, #AbisolaAlawode, wrote, “2 hours, 33 minutes of non-stop swimming! That’s how long it took Coach Dreh to swim the entire length of the Third Mainland Bridge. He swam to raise awareness for mental health, specifically suicide and depression.

“To everyone concerned about Coach Dreh’s health, I can confirm that he received immediate medical attention immediately after he was pulled out of the water.

“There was a ‘floating clinic’ from the Lagos State Government on standby throughout.”