Words by Abi Scaife
Lewis Pugh, endurance swimmer and UN ocean advocate, just swam the length of the Hudson River.
Tell me more!
It took 30 days for Lewis, aged 53, to swim the 315 miles (that’s 507 kilometres) of the Hudson River, which stretches down from the Adirondack Mountains towards New York City.
For readers who aren’t fans of extreme sport, you might be wondering why someone would put themselves through such a challenge. But, for Lewis, it was all about highlighting the Hudson rather than his own journey - and showing how important it is to take care of our rivers.
What else?
The Hudson River is notorious for being polluted - though huge effort has been made in recent years to improve it, and it is much cleaner now. Still, there is much work to be done - which Lewis, who swam the river wearing just a Speedo, was determined to highlight.
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
The Canal & Rivers Trust. The Rivers Trust are conservation experts who work to create wild, healthy, natural rivers. Support them here.
The Ocean Conservation Trust. A charity of Ocean optimists taking action to protect and restore nature for a thriving Ocean. Find out more here.
Marine Conservation Society. This charity is fighting for a cleaner, better protected, healthier ocean: one we can all enjoy. Learn more here.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Clean Water and Sanitation.
