An expert in open water, Rafa Bravo, director of special projects with RSM México, will seek to complete a 30-mile swim around the island of Manhattan, New York, in approximately 10 hours on September 8th.

The 20 Bridges of Manhattan swim is part of a trilogy of challenges called the Triple Crown which also includes crossing of the Santa Catalina Channel (in California) and the English Channel (in Europe). Bravo, will complete the challenges over the next two years. For the Bridges of Manhattan, he has surrounded himself with a team of sports professionals led by 2016 Ft. Lauderdale Hall of Famer Nora Toledano, the first Latin American woman and sixth person in the world to perform the double crossing of the English Channel.

“When Rafa told me he wanted to swim the 20 Bridges of Manhattan, initially I was surprised, then I realized that it was his passion and I saw in him a genuine example of courage” said Alfonso Elias Bornacini, Chairman of the Board of Directors with RSM Mexico, the largest audit, tax and consulting firm in Mexico focused on the middle market, according to the International Accounting Bulletin. “ “It is never too late to fulfill your ambition and it is part of our culture in RSM to support our people in achieving their goals. I knew RSM had to support Rafa, as he exemplifies our core values of respect, integrity, teamwork, excellence and stewardship, as well as our business vision.”

Bravo has the support of the Mexican firm as well as the rest of RSM International firms around the world. “At RSM, we encourage our people to pursue their passions,” said Andy Bosman, chief marketing officer with RSM US LLP. “Those of us here in the U.S. are excited to join our colleagues with RSM Mexico in supporting Rafa as he makes this dream a reality.”

Bravo’s journey to the 20 Bridges of Manhattan attempt involves 24 hours of weekly training that includes pool swimming, cycling and specific exercises in the gym to avoid injuries. In addition, he had to adopt a special diet that allows his body to keep warm in 17-degree waters to avoid hypothermia and hallucinations after many hours of swimming.

“I have been swimming in open water for more than 20 years, but this challenge has come to me in the time of a pandemic - precisely when we were all learning to be resilient, to have the courage to keep moving forward and to adapt to new circumstances,” said Bravo. “I was delighted that the organization accepted my application for this challenge and I am grateful to have such amazing coaches and RSM colleagues supporting me along the way."

ABOUT RSM

RSM is a leading global network of audit, tax and consulting firms focused on the middle market, encompassing 120 countries, 820 offices across the Americas, Europe, MENA, Africa and Asia Pacific and more than 48,000 people internationally. The network’s total fee income is US$6.3 billion.

As a network, we share skills, insight and resources, as well as a client-centric approach that’s based on a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses. This is how we empower them to move forward with confidence and realise their full potential.

RSM is a member of the Forum of Firms, with the shared objective to promote consistent and high-quality standards of financial and auditing practices worldwide. RSM is the brand used by our network of independent accounting and advisory firms each of which practices in its own right. RSM International Limited does not itself provide any accounting and advisory services. Member firms are driven by a common vision of providing high quality professional services, both in their domestic markets and in serving the international professional service needs of their client base.

For more information, visit Facebook @rsmglobalmx Twitter @rsmglobalmx and LinkedIn @rsmglobalmx