We are so lucky as open water swimmers.
Through our goggles, from a kayak, from the shorelines around the world, from the decks of escort boats, we see so much as ocean adventurers. The water may be cold, it may be rough, it may be warm and tropical, but we experience so much more than the average human who stays on terra firma.
Humankind rarely did this type of willful, purposeful, voluntary open water exploration prior to the 19th century. But throughout the 20th century, bold women and inquisitive women started to swim across, to, down, and around islands, channels, bays, lakes, and rivers. In the 21st century, there has been an explosion of exploration.
What is out there is incredibly fascinating as the above news story about 9 Mile Bank outside of San Diego shows a massive bait ball of anchovies being eaten by tuna, fin whales and sea lions.
This is the most active time in human history to go beyond the shoreline – pushing our physical and mental limits – to see what is out there in the open water.
Photos show some of the places where Lewis Pugh has explored.
© 2026 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
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