first time in history, a successful swim was completed across the 12 km Dardanelles strait in 3 hours and 15 minutes by a bound Henry Kuprashvili. The endeavour took place under the direction and support of “Laguna Vere” and the sport society “Dinamo” (K.Narchemashvili). In 2003, under the auspices of “Laguna Vere”, 12 students of Demireli College temporarily convened the first Georgian swimming styles experimental study group. On June 7, 2004, the first ever competition in the “Free Kolkhuri” and “Hands and feet bound Kolkhuri” (Military Colchian) styles was held at “Laguna Vere”. On May 12, 2006, 60 swimmers took part in the competition (including 10 from the city of Rustavi). On September 3, 2006, “Laguna Vere” students Nino Basilaia, Ani Sichinava (age 11), Irakli Shengelia (age 12) and Nastia Grivach (age 13) became the first to swim “Hands and feet bound Kolkhuri” (Military Colchian) across the "Tbilisi Sea". A swim across the Dardanelles Strait is awaiting sponsorship. The second Tbilisi Sea group “Hands and feet bound Kolkhuri” (Military Colchian) swim was held on August 30, 2007. First place was taken by 13-year-old Irakli Shengelia, whose time of 37 minutes and 53 seconds bested 2006's results of 40:47:00. A competition in “Rachuli” swimming for people over age 70 was held at “Laguna Vere” on June 23, 2007. It was supported by the international association “930” (M.Malazonia) and met with high public interest. The prizewinners were: Shalva Kvintradze (age 78), Kakhi Kavsadze (age 73), and Givi Gadelia (age 72). The American Stephany Hillborn, a journalist from the newspaper Georgia Today, is the first foreigner who has studied “Free Kolkhuri”. The competition among journalists was held at “Laguna Vere” on July 21, 2007. Hillborn swam “Free Kolkhuri” and won first place. She finished ahead of Rustavi 2 journalist Khatuna Nozadze by 1 second. Georgian swimmer Anna Lominadze became the first woman to swim across the Dardanelles strait in the “Hands and feet bound Kolkhuri” (Military Colchian) style on August 30, 2012, swimming 5,500 meters in 50 minutes. Dimitri Dick, originally from Germany, is the first Georgian coach who was actively inculcated in the styles of Georgian swimming as part of the professional sportsmen training program at “Laguna Vere”. Georgian swimming styles are overseen there by chief coach Manana Zambakhidze. References Further reading Hero of the Dardanelles: Seven Unique Developments. 2003. Editor-in-Chief: Prof.Doc. O. Gogiashvili. Tbilisi, Media-Holding Georgian Times, Text on Georgian, English,