ABC7NY: NYC Native Swims 133 Miles For Clean Water
News 12: Clean Water Advocate Reaches 100-Mile Mark of Swim For Clean Water
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PRESS RELEASE
Release Date: June 7, 2017
NYC NATIVE SWIMS INTO MAMARONECK HARBOR TO CELEBRATE MILE 100 OF HIS MONTAUK TO NYC SWIM FOR CLEAN WATER
Swimmer calls for permanent end of dumping of sewage into our waterways; announces Best Practices for Boaters
Mamaroneck, NY—After months of contending with injuries, illnesses, jellyfish, sharks, gale force winds, blizzards, and escort boat breakdowns, Christopher Swain’s clean water odyssey is nearly complete.
Earlier today, to commemorate reaching the 100-mile mark of his swim from Montauk to New York City, Swain stroked into the public boat ramp at Harbor Island Park in Mamaroneck, NY. He was escorted by a boat from Brewer Marinas, and met by representatives from Save The Sound.
After emerging from the cloudy water in a green and black wetsuit, Swain removed his goggles and said, “I am swimming the entire length of Long Island Sound and the East River. As part of my swim I am calling for a permanent end to the dumping of sewage into all of our waterways. I am also looking for partners--on the corporate side and on the nonprofit side--who want to help with protection and restoration efforts.”
Swain then introduced Tracy Brown, Director of Save The Sound. Ms. Brown pointed out that “The stress of millions of people using aging sewage infrastructure continues to harm the western end of Long Island Sound. While many of our sewage plants have recently benefitted from upgrades, the pipes and pumps that deliver sewage to the plants too often fail, leaking fecal bacteria into the waterways people swim, fish and boat in.” Ms. Brown concluded by saying, “Save the Sound applauds Christopher Swain for bringing attention to this problem. We urge all communities along the Sound to invest in sewage infrastructure and turn the tide on this unnecessary and damaging source of water pollution.”
Swain then announced a partnership with Brewer Marinas to promote Best Practices For Boaters. Asked for his thoughts about this effort, Jack Brewer, Founder of Brewer Marinas, said, “Boat owners who adopt these practices know that they are helping to protect Long Island Sound. And the more people we can get to embrace clean water, the better.” Mr. Brewer also mentioned some of the specific ways his marinas are protecting the ocean including operating free pumpout boats to help boaters manage the sewage generated on their vessels, and employing ocean-friendly cleaning products and paints.
After a short break for a crew change, Swain’s swim will continue. He plans to swim past the end of Long Island Sound, into the East River, through New York Harbor, and out through the Narrows into the Atlantic Ocean. He estimates he will finish the swim in mid-June.
Swain summed up the effort this way, “It’s been a long road. I’ve been stung by jellyfish, menaced by Great White Sharks, and tossed around by storm waves. I’ve injured my back and sprained my shoulder. The motor on our escort boat failed four different times. But I never gave up. It’s the same with the quest for clean water. The work is hard and sometimes discouraging, but if we stick with it, we can look forward to a future where our waters are safe for swimming every day.”
For more information about Swain’s swim, please visit SwimWithSwain.org or search “SwimWithSwain” on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
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MEDIA ADVISORY: SWIMMER PASSES 100 MILE MARK ON MONTAUK TO NYC SWIM FOR CLEAN WATER
Release Date 6/6/2017
NYC native on track to become first person in history to swim entire lengths of Long Island Sound and East River despite injuries, jellyfish stings, storms, and escort boat breakdowns
WHO: Christopher Swain, Clean Water Advocate, NYC Native, Open Water Swimmer, Father.
WHAT: Swain will swim into a press conference, announce a partnership built around his Best Practices For Boaters, and call for a permanent end to the dumping of sewage into our waterways.
WHERE: Boat Ramp at Harbor Island Park. Boston Post Road at Mamaroneck Avenue, Mamaroneck, NY 10543
WHEN: Wednesday, June 7, 2017 @ 10:45 a.m.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: Swain swimming with Mamaroneck Harbor in the background.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Christopher Swain, Swimmer and Clean Water Advocate. Jack Brewer, Founder, Brewer Yacht Yard Group and Co-Founder, Safe Harbor Marinas. Tracy Brown, Director, Save The Sound.
MORE INFORMATION: visit SwimWithSwain.org or search “SwimWthSwain” on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
MEDIA CONTACT: Christopher Swain, 617-233-4120 or onehealthyocean@gmail.com
NEWSDAY: Environmental Activist Swims Long Island Sound and East River
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WNPR Radio: Clean Water Advocate Visits New Haven's Sound School During Swim of Long Island Sound
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PRESS RELEASE
Release Date: September 28, 2016
Contact: Christopher Swain, 617-233-4120, onehealthyocean@gmail.com
CLEAN WATER ADVOCATE’S 130 MILE SWIM FOR CLEAN WATER IS UNDERWAY
Christopher Swain is dodging Sharks, Jellyfish and Sewage on his way to New York City
Montauk, NY – At 11:19 a.m. on Thursday, September 22, Clean Water Advocate and New York Native Christopher Swain slipped into the waters off Montauk Point and began stroking toward New York City.
Swain is swimming more than 130 miles from the easternmost tip of Long Island, to the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. His route includes the entire lengths of Long Island Sound and the East River.
Says Swain, “The reason I am out here dodging sharks and getting stung by jellyfish is that I believe that every waterway in New York should be safe for swimming every day. The point of this swim is to call for a permanent end to the illegal dumping of raw sewage into our waterways.”
Swain aims to spend 3-5 hours a day in the water during the approximately 20 days that he reckons it will take him to complete this swim. He will take occasional days off to spend time with his family, and to make presentations to schools and other organizations. Swain estimates he will reach New York City in early November, possibly sooner if he enjoys favorable water and weather conditions.
Throughout his swim, Swain will be escorted by a safety boat, and will be collecting water quality data, documenting conditions he finds in photographs and video clips, and monitoring his own physiological parameters like hours of sleep, calories burned, and heart rate. All of this information will be made available for free to interested teachers in the region. Educators interested in classroom visits are encouraged to contact Swain by email at onehealthyocean@gmail.com.
This is not Swain’s first swim for clean water. The forty eight year-old father of two was also the first person in history to swim the entire lengths of the Columbia River, the Mystic River, the Hudson River, the Mohawk River, the Gowanus Canal, and Newtown Creek.
Swain’s swim serves as a fundraiser for his Campaign For Swimmable Waterways in New York. You can watch his campaign video and see updates on his progress at: http://www.gofundme.com/swimwithswain.
NOTE: Swain is available for interviews by phone or in person during his swim. Stills and video clips are available upon request. To make arrangements, contact Christopher directly at 617-233-4120, or, onehealthyocean@gmail.com
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National Geographic: Swimming 130 Miles to NYC to Prove The Importance of Healthy Rivers
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PRESS RELEASE
Release Date 9/22/2016
CLEAN WATER ADVOCATE TO SWIM 130 MILES FROM MONTAUK TO NYC
Montauk, NY – At 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, September 22, Clean Water Advocate and New York Native Christopher Swain will slip into the waters off Montauk Point and begin stroking toward New York City.
Swain, a forty eight year-old father of two, is the first person in history to swim the entire lengths of the Hudson River, the Gowanus Canal, and Newtown Creek. He plans to swim more than 130 miles from the easternmost tip of Long Island, to the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. His route includes the entire lengths of Long Island Sound and the East River.
Says Swain, “I believe that every waterway in New York should be safe for swimming every day. The point of this swim is to call for a permanent end to the illegal dumping of raw sewage into our waterways.”
Swain aims to spend 4-6 hours a day in the water during the 18-20 days that he reckons it will take him to complete this swim. He will be escorted by a safety boat throughout his journey, and he will take occasional days off to spend time with his family, and to make presentations to schools and other organizations. Swain estimates he will reach New York City in early November, possibly sooner if he enjoys favorable ocean conditions.
Throughout his swim, Swain will be collecting water quality data, documenting conditions he finds in photographs and video clips, and monitoring his own physiological parameters like hours of sleep, calories consumed and burned, and heart rate. All of this information will be made available for free to interested teachers in the region. Educators interested in classroom visits are encouraged to contact Swain by email at onehealthyocean@gmail.com.
Swain’s swim also serves as a fundraiser for his Campaign For Swimmable Waterways in NY. He plans to post regular updates on his progress at: http://www.gofundme.com/swimwithswain.
NOTE: Swain is available for interviews by phone, or in person in Montauk before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. on 9/22. Stills and video clips of swim start will be made available upon request. Contact Christopher Swain directly at: 617-233-4120, or, onehealthyocean@gmail.com
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News 12 New York: Clean Water Advocate to Swim Long Island Sound and East River
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***MEDIA ADVISORY***
GOWANUS SWIMMER AND CLEAN WATER ADVOCATE ANNOUNCES NEW SWIM FROM MONTAUK, NY TO NYC TO CALL FOR PERMANENT END TO SEWAGE DUMPING
130-Mile Swim is part of Campaign For Swimmable Waterways in NYC and will include entire lengths of Long Island Sound and East River
WHO: Christopher Swain, Swimmer, Clean Water Advocate, and NYC Native.
WHAT: Swain will hold a brief press conference to announce his swim, and highlight illegal sewage discharges to Long Island Sound and the East River.
WHERE: Pier 4 Beach, Brooklyn Bridge Park Greenway, 4 Montague Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (Park on Montague, cross bike path to beach.)
WHEN: Tuesday, September 20, 2016 @ 10:45 a.m.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: Swain in his suit with the East River and Manhattan skyline in the background.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Christopher Swain; Paget Walker, Community Engagement Coordinator for the Campaign for Swimmable Waterways NYC.
CAMPAIGN VIDEO AND DETAILS:
https://www.gofundme.com/swimwithswain
MEDIA CONTACT: Christopher Swain, 617-233-4120