NC State physics professor conquers the Bosphorus Straits

Michael Paesler receives congratulations shortly after successfully swimming the Bosphorus Straits (May 14, 2009)

May 14, 2009

Michael Paesler isn’t afraid to take on a big challenge. By day, Paesler, 62, runs one of the nation’s largest collegiate physics departments. On his own time, he swims … and swims … and swims. Having already tackled the English Channel as well as countless long-distance races, Paesler’s latest swimming challenge was Turkey’s Bosphorus Straits.

Paesler, a Cary, NC, resident and professor and head of the Department of Physics at North Carolina State University, has been a competitive swimmer since he was a child. After earning his bachelor’s degree from Beloit College, he enrolled in graduate school at the University of Chicago and began marathon swimming with a group of long-distance swimmers who trained in Lake Michigan. He also began masters swimming and was a member of two University of Chicago national championship teams. For a time, Paesler held the national record for the 1,500-meter freestyle for his masters age group.

In 1970, he joined the World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation and swam professionally while still enrolled as a graduate student. In September 1970, he crossed the English Channel from Cape Gris-Nez, France, to Folkstone, England. His time was the fastest of the year and earned for him the honor of being the “Channel Swimmer of the Year” for 1970.

The 19-mile-long Bosphorus Straits, which connect the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, separate the European side of Turkey from the Asian side. The city of Istanbul sponsors a swim in July when the shipping channels are closed and the water is quite warm. Scores of swimmers cross the channel as part of this yearly event.

Paesler’s solo attempt on May 14 was more challenging, as it involved colder water, stronger currents and the difficulty of timing the swim to avoid traffic in the shipping channel. He also needed to receive permission from the governor of Istanbul to even attempt the swim. To train for the Bosphorus swim, Paesler worked out in NC State’s Carmichael Pool and nearby Falls Lake.

Paesler’s visit to Turkey is part of a Turkish-American friendship exchange with the Divan Cultural Center of Cary, non-profit organization that was established by the Triangle’s Turkish-American community in 2005. Paesler and 12 other area professionals and academics will be in Turkey though May 25, during which time they will meet and be hosted by Turkish families and meet with scholars and students at Fatih University and with representatives of the Writers and Journalists Association.

The Turkish media has taken notice of Paesler’s accomplishment. You can find video of his swim here.