<P> Breca (sometimes spelled Breoca or Brecca) was a Bronding who, according to the Anglo - Saxon poem Beowulf, was Beowulf's childhood friend . Breca defeated Beowulf in what, by consensus, is described as a swimming match . </P> <P> While dining, Unferth alludes to the story of their contest as a reproach to Beowulf's impulsiveness and foolhardiness, and Beowulf then relates it in detail, explaining how he needed to stop and defeat multiple sea monsters (nicors) during the match, so, although he arrived at the goal after Breca, his was the more worthy journey . </P>

Who does beowulf have a swimming race against