100 km Swim in Dakhla Lagoon Marks a Major Sporting Feat for the Green March Anniversary

Map illustration showing the 100 km Nage Verte swim route across Dakhla Lagoon in southern Morocco for the Green March anniversary

Photo From Femmesdumaroc

A Quartet of Swimmers Makes Waves for National Pride

In the tranquil waters of the Dakhla Lagoon, three Moroccan open-water swimmers, Dino Sebti, Nadia Benbahtane, and Sébastien Desflandre, completed a remarkable 100 km swim in four days to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Green March (Marche Verte). The endurance event honored both Morocco’s history and the spirit of determination that defines its athletes. (medias24)

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White Dune, Dakhla. Photo by oceanadventure.surf

Each day, the swimmers covered nearly 25 km, facing strong currents and unpredictable winds. The first two days recorded times of around 8 h 30, while the third, at 26 km, took over 9 h 30. On the final stretch, they swam 10 km in 1 h 55 and another 25 km in 5 h 12, performances that would impress even under controlled conditions.

According to Dino Sebti, the inspiration began two years ago with the first “Nage Verte” swim across the lagoon. The 100 km challenge grew naturally from that success. The group trained intensely for more than two months, averaging 6 km of swimming per day.

Beyond the athletic triumph, the event carried a symbolic message, one of environmental awareness and love for Morocco’s coastal heritage. The Dakhla Lagoon, rich with marine biodiversity and migratory life, served as a powerful reminder that sport and nature share the same rhythm of endurance and respect.

This feat was not only about distance; it was about belonging, resilience, and the connection between history, people, and sea.

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We created MoroccoBeat from a shared passion for storytelling and a clear ambition: to reflect the rhythm of a nation in motion. Morocco is a land of contrasts, where deep-rooted heritage coexists with ambitious visions for the future, and our work seeks to capture this dynamic with accuracy, depth, and purpose. From the evolving urban energy of Casablanca to the vast stillness of the Moroccan Sahara, we explore the places, people, and projects that are shaping the country today. Our editorial approach blends narrative insight with practical value, offering readers both compelling stories and useful guidance across culture, sports, tourism, and innovation. Through MoroccoBeat, we aim to connect audiences beyond borders, inspire informed and meaningful journeys, and shed light on Morocco’s growing role as a regional and global hub of creativity, ambition, and opportunity.

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