Amazon Swim

• Swam 50 days
• Swam (4003 km) (2487 miles)
• Start Date: June 11, 2004
• Finish Date: July 30, 2004
• Swim start time: 12:00 p.m.
• Water Environment at time of swim: One of the most polluted waters in the world.
• Most difficult aspects of swim: Dangerous waters- Class 2-5. High water pollution. High humidity. The sun. High ship traffic. Extreme morning fog. Many water parasites.
• Range of water temperature: (12 to 32 C) (53.6 to 89.6 F)
• Martin’s Motivation behind the swim: Martin wanted to raise awareness around the world about the high toxic pollution of this river. It was Martin’s idea, that with world awareness, pressure would be put on the Chinese government to implement practices and laws that would begin a clean-up process of this river.

• Martin’s Goal behind the swim: First goal: To raise awareness of the pollution of this river in order that the Chinese government would implement changes to begin cleaning this river.

Second goal: To complete this swim from Lijiang to Shanghai, which is more than (4000 km) (2485.6 miles).

Interesting Fact: In between these two points, is an area called, “TIGER LEAPING GORGE”. This is the most dangerous part of this river. Ten miles long, very narrow canyon. This is the deepest canyon in the world, ten thousand feet deep

“TIGER LEAPING GORGE”. This is the most dangerous part of this river

• Accomplished Goal: YES
• Martin’s Health at end of swim: Terrible sunburn. Exhausted, physically and mentally. Terrible parasite infections, bacterial infections, and viral infections. Liver was severely affected because of the high levels of toxic pollution in this river. Severe hypertension. High body temperature. Severe problem with ears, eyes, and skin. Many rashes all over the body, including underneath the hair.
• Martin lost (16.5 kg) (36 lbs), during this swim