Lewis Pugh Attempts Historic Martha’s Vineyard Swim

Lewis Pugh, a British-South African endurance swimmer, is attempting to become the first person to swim the 62-mile circumference of Martha’s Vineyard, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of 'Jaws.' Braving 47-degree water without a wetsuit, Pugh seeks to overturn the negative image of sharks popularized by the film and promote their protection. His swim begins shortly after the season's first white shark sighting near Nantucket, heightening the challenge and visibility of his mission. Pugh will swim several hours daily over roughly 12 days, spending the remainder of his time on public education about shark conservation. He highlights that his greatest fear is not sharks, but a world without them, emphasizing their ecological importance and ancient lineage. The swim aims to demonstrate that sharks are not inherently dangerous to humans and calls for greater global shark protection.