Once completed the crossing in national waters, Raga decided to go further. After analyzing the geography, his look focused on the north-eastern Venezuelan waters, he planned his second project: swimming from Venezuela to Trinidad. Departure point: Ensenada de Careaquito on the eastern part of Peninsula de Paria, Sucre State. Arrival point: Punta de Teteron Bay, Trinidad.
Although it was not easy, Raga achieved this feat successfully on September the 12th, 2003, in 10 hours and 40 minutes, after swimming 32 kilometres, -- 8 more kilometres of what he had planned. The obstacles in this crossing were several. First, unexpected weather conditions like a confused sea made him change the departure point three times, which delayed the start. Then, strong currents at Boca del Dragón, where Orinoco River mighty flow meets the Caribbean Sea, forced him to swim more. Finally, tiredness and the darkness of the night turned this crossing into a real odyssey for Raga.
Nevertheless, besides an excellent physical and psychological preparation, a strong will, and a deep knowledge of the area and the currents, this athlete counted on the human factor constituted by a disciplinary team and the local fishermen, who gave him support and encouraged him all along the crossing to overcome moments of anguish and weakness.
After conquering this deed and demonstrating that he is in balance with nature, that limits are in our mind, and that we should never lose the faith, Raga revealed his next “big challenge”: crossing by swimming the difficult English Channel, the body of water that separates England from France.
His sports binnacle is definitely a Venezuelan quality hallmark. We all wish him great success!