100 WATER HEROES: CHRISTOPHER SWAIN

Human Rights Advocate and Open Water Swimmer

Christopher Swain is a Human Rights Activist and Open Water Swimmer who has been advocating for clean waterways since 1996. Through his swimming expeditions, Christopher became the first ever person to swim the lengths of the Hudson, Columbia, Mohawk, Charles and Mystic Rivers, as well as significant portions of the USA’s Atlantic coastline and Lake Champlain.

Christopher swims to draw the world’s attention to threatened waterways and encourage related conservation and restoration efforts. Christopher takes photographs, videos and journals throughout his swims, and interviews a variety of stakeholders in the sector. His swims have taken place in a myriad of concerning contexts, and he has come into contact with sewage, nuclear waste and pesticides. All of this to spotlight the global water crisis.

Christopher was the youngest conservationist featured in Rachel White Scheuring’s 2005 book Shapers of the Great Debate on Conservation: A Biographical Dictionary. In 2007, he was awarded the Harry E. Schlenz Public Education Medal from the Water Environment Federation.

Christopher is one of our #100WaterHeroes for dedicating his life to swimming and advocating for our threatened waterways.

Twitter: @SwimWithSwain

Facebook: @SwimWithSwain

Website: http://www.swimwithswain.org/