The longest swim in Antarctica’s waters

Calling world leaders to act, ensuring the conservation of the ocean and the continent, Bárbara Hernández will defy nature by swimming more than 1,000 metres in the Southern Ocean in temperatures below 1°C. She will do this without a neoprene suit or protective grease. During the expedition, which is supported by the Chilean Navy, the swimmer will visit the Antarctic Peninsula and the Chilean Antarctic research bases on King George Island. She will record the experience in a documentary piece, highlighting the value of Antarctica’s territory and its wildlife.

With the support of the Antarctic Southern Ocean Coalition, and following in the footsteps of extreme swimmer Lewis Pugh, Bárbara Hernández is urging the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources to back the creation of new marine protected areas in its waters.

Hernández just recently joined Antarctica2020, a group made up of leaders from the world of politics, science, media, and sport who are working together to promote protection of Antarctica’s waters. It includes prominent personalities such as oceanographers Sylvia Earle and Philippe Cousteau, plus South African extreme swimmer and United Nations Patron of the Oceans, Lewis Pugh.