Ideas worth spreading

893,744 views | Lewis Pugh • TEDGlobal 2009

How I swam the North Pole

Lewis Pugh talks about his record-breaking swim across the North Pole. He braved the icy waters (in a Speedo) to highlight the melting icecap. Watch for astonishing footage -- and some blunt commentary on the realities of supercold-water swims.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Lewis Pugh talks about his record-breaking swim across the North Pole. He braved the icy waters (in a Speedo) to highlight the melting icecap. Watch for astonishing footage -- and some blunt commentary on the realities of supercold-water swims.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Coldwater swimmer

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Pushing his body through epic cold-water swims, Lewis Gordon Pugh wants to draw attention to our global climate. He's just back from swimming in a meltwater lake on the slopes of Mount Everest.