British endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh has successfully completed a grueling 315-mile (500 km) swim along New York’s Hudson River to recognize the cleanup of the river after decades of effort.
Lewis Pugh’s remarkable feat not only showcased his impressive swimming skills, but also highlighted the significant progress made in cleaning up the once-polluted waterway over the past decades.
Pugh, who has served as the UN’s first ocean guardian for the past ten years, spoke on the troubled history of the Hudson River.
I’ve completed the #HudsonSwim2023! 315 miles from source to sea.
— Lewis Pugh (@LewisPugh) September 13, 2023
People have fought for 50 years to get this river clean. And today she is beautiful. I will never forget the wildlife. The bald eagles, the vultures, the beavers and black bears.
So this is my message 🏊♂️👇🏞️
The… pic.twitter.com/HgAx63ogV1
Half a century ago, the Hudson River was notorious as one of the most polluted rivers in the world, with water quality so poor that it changed color daily due to industrial emissions and pollution.
Nevertheless, continued efforts to tackle pollution and restore the river have yielded impressive results. Pig’s month-long unaided swim from the river’s mountain source to New York City is a symbol of that change and a source of inspiration for others.
After 314 miles and 31 days, I have just 1 mile to go!
— Lewis Pugh (@LewisPugh) September 13, 2023
I'll be finishing the #HudsonSwim2023 at the American Merchant Mariners' Memorial in Battery Park, New York tomorrow between 10:00 and 10:30. We’d love to see you there! 🏊♂️🗽🏞️ pic.twitter.com/ohlhnLng9t
Lewis Pugh believes that witnessing what has been achieved in the Hudson will inspire people to take action to clean up their rivers and protect them from similar degradation.
Swam past Indian Point Power Plant yesterday. If not for the efforts of dedicated New Yorkers, it would've been a swim in a radioactive cocktail ☢️👇🏭 #HudsonSwim2023 pic.twitter.com/Gb1LRGkicE
— Lewis Pugh (@LewisPugh) September 9, 2023
Pugh’s advocacy for clean rivers has taken him on challenging swims in places ranging from the icy waters of Antarctica to the North Pole and the Red Sea. Its commitment to this cause is evident in its determination to ensure that rivers around the world are safe and welcoming for activities such as swimming and fishing.
Pig’s Hudson River expedition is timed to coincide with the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York, where world leaders are gathering. The assembly is of particular significance as it is the setting for the formal signing of the High Seas Treaty, a landmark agreement that promises to shape the future of ocean conservation around the world.
