Swim to change: Lewis Pugh takes on 62‑mile shark mission
Lewis Pugh plans to swim 62 miles around Martha’s Vineyard to change perceptions of sharks. The event coincides with the 50th anniversary of the film "Jaws".
Main information
- Lewis Pugh intends to swim 62 miles around Martha’s Vineyard.
- The event takes place on the 50th anniversary of the film "Jaws".
- The aim is to change the perception of sharks as "cold-blooded killers".
Lewis Pugh, a renowned British long-distance swimmer, is preparing to swim 62 miles around Martha’s Vineyard. This event aims to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the iconic film Jaws. Pugh hopes to transform society's perception of sharks, which are often viewed as dangerous predators.
Pugh plans to undertake this challenge at the start of the great white shark migration season. The water in which he will be swimming is a chilly 46 degrees Fahrenheit. The Briton seeks to highlight that sharks are not "cold-blooded killers" as depicted in the 1975 film "Jaws".
Pugh aims to educate society and emphasise the need for shark conservation. The New England Aquarium has already confirmed the first sighting of a great white shark this season off the coast of Nantucket Island. Pugh, often called the "Sir Edmund Hillary of swimming," has accomplished numerous similar feats, combining his passion for swimming with promoting environmental preservation.
A swimmer with a mission
Lewis Pugh has repeatedly swum in challenging conditions to highlight environmental issues. In 2007, he attempted to reach the North Pole, and in 2010, he swam across a glacial lake in the Himalayas. Through his actions, he aims to underscore the necessity of protecting the most vulnerable ecosystems.
In 2018, Pugh swam the English Channel to advocate for protecting 30 percent of the world's oceans by 2030. His latest challenge around Martha’s Vineyard elevates awareness about shark and ocean conservation.
