Lewis Pugh is an endurance swimmer, maritime lawyer, and the UN Patron of the Oceans. He pioneers swims in the most vulnerable ecosystems on Earth to campaign for their protection. He was the first person to complete a long-distance swim in every ocean of the world, the first to swim... Read more
Lewis Pugh is an endurance swimmer, maritime lawyer, and the UN Patron of the Oceans. He pioneers swims in the most vulnerable ecosystems on Earth to campaign for their protection. He was the first person to complete a long-distance swim in every ocean of the world, the first to swim across the North Pole, and the first to swim the length of the English Channel. Most recently, he swam the length of the Hudson River to New York to highlight the importance of clean rivers.
Lewis has played a crucial role in protecting over 2 million km² of vulnerable ocean – an area larger than Western Europe. His dream is to fully protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. He talks about his methods – a clear vision, the right mindset, choosing a high-performance team, meticulous preparation, never quitting, and having the flexibility to adapt when circumstances change. TED describes him as a “master storyteller.”
Lewis has received numerous accolades for his work. He was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, named one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year, and awarded South Africa’s highest honour – the Order of Ikhamanga (Gold Class).
In 2025, Lewis Pugh has been included in National Geographic’s list of the world’s leading changemakers.